AMl^RICAH 



JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c. 



Art. L — On the means of safety in Steam Boats; jy John L. 

 Sullivan, Civil Engineer. 



JYew York, January 21sf, 1831. 



Prof. Silliman. — Dear Sir, — As it appears from your reply, that my proposed 

 article on the subject of safety in steam boats, was not early enough for the January 

 number of the American Journals and as you have offered it a place in the April 

 . number, I now transmit the communication, and although late for the occasion, 

 there seems to be some reason for preferring that the same work wherein my letter 

 on the proximate causes of danger was republishedj* might be the medium of making 

 known the preventive since discovered. 



I have long thought that the only complete safety 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 the 

 furnace and flue ivithin 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 liability be com- 

 mensurate with the use of steam in navigation. 



And I 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 1 ask leave ta 

 quote a few paragraphs from his pages. 



* See Mr. Sullivan's letter. Vol. xix, p. 146. 



Vol. XX.— No. 1. 1 



