on the Explosion of Steam- Boilers. 407 



casionally seen. I find I am by no means singular in this 

 respect; for on conversing some time since with an intelligent 

 practical engineer on the subject, he gave it as his opinion 

 that a boiler was not safe where there was only a foot of water 

 over the fire. I do not go to this extent, but I mention it in 

 corroboration of my own opinion. 



With this view of the matter, I see nothing very extraor- 

 dinary in the circumstance of the leaden plug remaining as hap- 

 pened at East Crennis ; nor, I confess, does the appearance 

 and form of the tube after the explosion surprise me more 

 than the projection of the lube at Polgooth, which is equally 

 unaccountable. It by no means follows, because the sides of 

 the tube were flattened, that these were the^?s^ parts to give 

 way when such an immense volume of elastic vapour was sud- 

 denly let loose : there is no accounting for the effect it may 

 produce upon the parts in immediate contact with it ; this may 

 even go to the extent of obliterating impressions made imme- 

 diately antecedent to the explosion. 



If an accident take place with a boiler of any given form, 

 I should not be guided by the appearance that the wreck may 

 present after the explosion, as to any opinion of what were the 

 first parts to give way ; but I should examine as to whether 

 from its form or construction the boiler contained any weak 

 points ; and taking it for granted that these must have been 

 the first to give way, I should make the necessary alterations. 



That these Cornish boilers are more liable than any others 

 to accident, is proved from the result of Mr. Taylor's own ex- 

 perience. If therefore they possess the defects which I have 

 endeavoured to point out, it is fair to infer that such accidents 

 are attributable to these defects. 



It has been observed by Mr. Taylor, that in the opinion of 

 liis Cornish agents these boilers possess advantages which no 

 other form affords, and that in comparison with the plain cy- 

 linder in particular, more duty is effected. 



They certain 1}' ought to possess great advantages as to con- 

 sumption of fuel, to compensate for the frequent accidents to 

 which they are hable, — accidents not only involving loss of 

 property, but too frequently loss of lives. If this latter con- 

 sideration only were taken into account, there ought not to 

 be one moment's hesitation as to their total rejection. I am, 

 however, by no means prepared to admit that the tube-boiler 

 is more (economical as to fuel than the plain cylinder. Mr. 

 Taylor observes, tliat in North Wales, boilers of the latter de- 

 scription are giving great satisfaction, while in Cornwall this 

 by no means appears to be the case; but this he attributes to 

 the difference of fuel. As 1 have before said, a difference in fuel 



may 



