714 Transactions of the American Institute. 



of the boiler becoming heated to a greater temperature than other 

 l^arts; the water getting too low, and exposing parts where there 

 is no water to the fire; sediment or incrustation being deposited 

 upon the phites, preventing the water from contact with the iron, and 

 thus causing the plates to be overheated or burned; faulty con- 

 struction; leakage, causing oxydation or rusting away of the iron; 

 ignorance or carelessness in their management or construction. A 

 volume might be written setting forth the facts and causes of boiler 

 explosions; it is sufficient to know they do explode; that with the 

 utmost care the danger is very great. It is often remarked by 

 those who have had great experience in the use of steam, that the 

 more they know of the subject, and the more experience they get 

 in regard to the old style of boilers, the greater is their fear of 

 them. We claim that an explosion with the safety boiler is 

 impossible. It may become overheated in parts; there is no strain 

 thrown upon other portions by unequal expansion, as each part is 

 at liberty to expand independent of other parts. It may become 

 filled with sediment if neglected, and the tubes may burn; they 

 are easily replaced, and no danger can ensue. It may be igno- 

 rantly, carelessly or maliciously treated, yet no explosion can occur. 

 Tubes, such as are used in the safety boiler, cannot be exploded] 

 they may be ruptured by excessive pressure, say ten times that 

 which would explode a large shell. In short, we claim for the 

 safety boiler entire and absolute safety from explosion; not that acci- 

 dents might not occur, by which persons in charge of or around the 

 boiler might be scalded; but such a thing as blowing dovra buildings 

 and endangering the lives of all in or around them, is impossible. 



Safety in steam boilers should be the first consideration; but, 

 unfortunatel3^ it is not always the case. It ha.s been only of late 

 that safe boilers have received the attention they deserve. Most 

 people do not appreciate the danger that is inseparable from the 

 old styles of boilers with large shells. No business man would 

 think his property safe if not insured against fire; yet we will ven- 

 tui*e to Jissert, and feel sure that statistics will verify the assertion, 

 that the risk from boiler explosions is two-fold greater than the 

 risk by lire; that is, the number of explosions, compared with the 

 number of boilers in use, is tar greater than the number of fires 

 compared to the number of buildings; and unsafe boilers endanger 

 life as well as property. 



It would seem that considerations of safety to the life and pro- 

 perty of the purchaser, if not to that of others, would dictate the 



