Sleam Explosion. 75 



By Messrs. Leans' Re])ort for the month of Jane, the averaee 

 work of twenty- ei.i<ht engines was 20,8S4,32.G pounds lifted one 

 font liigh \yith eacli bushel of coals ; and during tlie same month 

 Woolf's en-ine at Whet^l Vor hftcd 43,161,810, and at Wheal 

 Abraham 51,476,482 pounds of water one foot high with each 

 bushel of Goals consumed. 



STEAM EXPLOSION. 



We have again to record an instance of culpable negligence 

 followed liy a most melanclioly result, in the explosion of a steam- 

 boiler by leading its safety-valve so as to prevent the possibility 

 of the steam escaping. The load on the lover of the safety- 

 valve was slipped to its outer extremity, and left to itsel.'". V/e 

 need onlv remark that tlie lever should never be of such a length, 

 or, vice versa, the weight so heavy as to occasion the least dan- 

 ger when placed furthest from the valve, In other words, no 

 weight should ever be used that can by any accidental changtr 

 prevent the steam from lifting the valve whenever it acquires a 

 tertain measured power. 



Jjxtriict of a Letter from Mnrietia (UnitedStates),rfa/feiJi/ne7, 

 IS 16. 

 Horrid Accident. — We have a painful duty to perform, 

 in recording an unparalleled scene of human misery and anguish 

 which occurred on board the steam-boat Washington, lately built 

 at Wheeling, (Va.) and commanded by Capt, Shreve. She 

 started from Wheeling on Monday last, and arrived at this place 

 on Tuesday evening following at about 7 o'clock, and safely 

 oaine to anchor opposite Point ilarmer, where she continued until 

 Wednesday morning. The fires had been kindled and the boilers 

 .'afTiciently hot, preparatory to her d?parture, when the anchor 

 was weighed and the helm put to larftoard, in order to wear her 

 and place her in a position to start her machinery ; but having 

 only one of her rudders shipped at t!ie time, its influence was not 

 ! ufficiont to have the desired eiTect, and slie shot over under the 

 \'irginia shore, where it was found exj)edient to tlircw over the 

 keflge at her stern to effect it. 



This being acconiprshed, the crew were then required to haul 

 It again on iioard, and were i:v\-irly all collected on the quarter 

 Tor that purpose. At tliis unhappy, fatal moment, the end of 

 the cylinder towards the stern exploded, and threw tlie whole 

 rontents of hot water among them, and sjiread death and torture 

 in every direction. The captain, mate, and several others were 

 knocked overlfoard, l)ut were saved (with the exception of oixe' 

 man, who is still missing,) by boats from l\\e town, and by swim- 

 piing to 0ie Virginia shore, 



The 



