G34 Transactions of the American Institute. 



experiments before the Polytechnic. "We are considering the psychic 



force ; and as soon as we can learn from Mr. Crookes how to use it, 



we will repeat his experiments here. 



Adjourned. 



November 9, 1871. 



Prof. S. D. Tillman, in the chair ; Mr. Eobert Weir, Secretary. 



On the Explosion of the Steamer Westfield. 

 By Norman Wiard, Esq. 



It was my intention to submit to you this evening some very elabo- 

 rate apparatus which I have prepared in illustration of the causes of 

 the explosion of steam boilers ; but, as there are some inventions to 

 be exhibited this evening which will occupy your time, I have con- 

 cluded to defer that until another meeting. The steamer "Westfield 

 exploded on the 30th of last July. The effect of the explosion on 

 human life is not a matter for ns to discuss, but only the scientific 

 question of the cause of the explosion. At the official investigation 

 into the cause of the explosion, there were about twenty experts called 

 as witnesses, men of reputation and experience, but no two of them 

 agreed as to the cause of the accident. The newspapers discussed 

 the question with a similar result. Every one seemed to have a 

 theory of his own, and no conclusion Avas reached. Shortly after the 

 explosion, I received a letter from Mr. Erastus Smith, wh'o had charge 

 of the steamers Bristol and Providence, calling my attention to the 

 fact that the newspapers were manufacturing an injurious public 

 opinion, and asking me to set the public right. I did not feel able 

 then, in the heat of public indignation, to undertake this. I propose 

 now to give some explanation of the different theories advanced, and 

 will on the next evening give a more fall** explanation of what I 

 believe to be the true cause of the explosion. 



One theory was that the boiler was subjected to over-pressure ; 

 another that there was unequal expansion of the metal ; one that 

 there was too much water in the boiler ; another that there was too 

 little ; one that the steam was superheated ; another that the steam 

 was decomposed ; one that the boiler was weakened by the drift pin ; 

 another that it was weakened by the caulking tool ; another that the 

 water was superheated ; another that the boiler burst on account of 

 pulsations; another that it was weakened by the water-test ; another 

 that the explosion resulted from some mysterious action of oil in the 



