aici THE 
AMERICAN 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c. 
7 
Arr. ae the means of safety in Steam Boats ; by Joun L 
Sunnavan, Civil Engineer. 
= = y aS qt | Naw York, Fanuary Bat, 1991 
Pror. Srpu1man.— Deu 
article on the subject of eee in a boats, was not satly enough for yest 
number of the cae Journal, and as you have offered it a place a the April 
number, I now transmit the communication, rn ee late for the occasion, 
there seems to be some reason for preferring that same work wherein my letter 
on the proximate causes of danger was epubshd - earn be the medium of m 
kuown the preventive since discovere 
T have long thought that the only complete aay to passengers was 
to be found in a separate bottom ; and although this be literally true, 
still, the necessity there is of using the single boat in many situations, 
and the convenience of that compact form of boiler which has t 
furnace and flue within it, would have been sufficient motive to any 
conversant with this business to seek out a precaution against the 
danger attending it; yet when to this is superadded the appalling 
“fact you have stated, that not less than fifteen hundred persons have 
already lost their lives by steam boat explosions in our country, while 
many more, probably, have been great sufferers who survived their 
injuries—motive indeed is offered for every one in the profession 
which comprehends this subject, to devise some mode of safeguard 
against so great an evil; one that otherwise must in sia be com- 
» mensurate with the use ‘at steam in navigation. 
And [ am the more encouraged to address you on this occasion, 
as I perceive that Mr. Renwick, in his excellent treatise on the steam 
engine, lately given to the public, confirms my opinion expressed in 
that letter, on the principal cause of the danger ; and I ask leave to 
quote a few paragraphs from his pages. 
> 
* See Mr. Sullivan’s letter, Vol. xix, p. 146. 
Vol. XX.—No. L. 1 
