1 87 1.] Steam Boiler Legislation. 215 



Such was the origin of the Association. It has ever since been 

 in active operation, and while increasing in the number of 

 its members, has proved not only of advantage to them but 

 to the public generally. The investigations and experiments 

 conducted by the Committee, have also conduced to improved 

 forms and secure principles on which boilers should be 

 constructed. 



After the above Association had been in work for some 

 years, several joint stock companies were established for 

 carrying out inspection accompanied with insurance. It will 

 be readily understood, however, that the object of a joint 

 stock company must be the promotion of dividend ; and as 

 it has been proved by experience that inspection is very 

 costly, while insurance is very cheap, it is evident that the 

 introduction of the joint stock principle will militate against 

 the efficiency of the inspections, and that it will tend to 

 promote insurance rather than inspection. Insurance of 

 boilers will not restore life after a fatal explosion has 

 occurred, while the companies make no provision for the 

 families and representatives of those killed and injured. 

 They profess only to compensate the owner of the boiler, 

 though it may have been old, worn out, and quite unfit for 

 use, while they do nothing for the poor stokers who may 

 have been killed, or injured, or for their families who may 

 have lost, their bread-winners. It is not intended by these 

 remarks by any means to condemn the principle of insurance 

 generally, as it may advantageously be adopted as a pro- 

 vision against the loss of shipping at sea, the destruction of 

 property by fire, or in the event of death — whether accidental 

 or otherwise, — certain sums having been paid for the secu- 

 rities offered. This system of insurance is satisfactory where 

 no inspection is required, but it is not satisfactory in its 

 application to boilers with the view of preventing explosions, 

 since this end can only be obtained by constant and costly 

 inspection, which the demand for dividend on the part of 

 the shareholders will tend to diminish to the lowest possible 

 point. It is on these grounds that inspection carried out by 

 joint stock insurance companies cannot admit of com- 

 parison with that of voluntary honorary Associations, whose 

 sole object is — careful inspection, for the prevention of 

 steam boiler explosions, and the saving of human life. 



During the early days of the steam engine it was con- 

 sidered unsafe to work steam at more than 7 lbs. on the 

 square inch, and no difficulty existed in making boilers to 

 sustain that pressure. The first in respect of form was what was 

 called the Haycock boiler ; next came the waggon boiler, 



