Upright Boiler, nearly new, 10ft. high, 5ft. diameter, with internal fire box, ½ inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The shell was rent into many pieces, which were widely scattered, doing much damage. The safety valve was defective and incapable of relieving the pressure, and the spring indicated wrongly, so that a much higher pressure was used than the boiler could bear safely.
No.41. Newcastle-on-Tyne. (Fig. 33.)
Sep. 14th.
5 killed, 20 injured.
One of two. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 17 years old, 27ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30lbs. pressure, mechanically fired. It had just been extensively repaired over the fire, but it gave way at the back end, where a plate had been put in some time before, and it is supposed that a seam rip or injury to the old plate, not visible outside or in, was then set up, which was perhaps increased by the strain of late repairs and gave way as soon as steam was again raised to working pressure. See No. 55 this year and many others in past years of similar construction.
No.42. Nottingham. (Fig. 34.)
September 15th.
1 killed.
Tubulous, or all tubes, 1½ years old, 100 lbs. pressure. Steam was being raised with too little water in the boiler, so that the tube became overheated and incapable of bearing pressure, and rent open, and as the boiler was in a small space the steam suffocated the attendant, but the boiler was not disturbed or the premises injured.
No.43. Tunstall. (Fig. 35.)
September 17th.
3 killed, 1 injured.
One of four. Plain Cylinder, 8 years old, 36ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. It gave way at fifth seam, where a seam rip, caused by bad repair, had so far weakened it that it was unable to bear the usual pressure, and the ends were blown in opposite directions.
No.44. Exeter. (Fig. 36.)
September 27th.
1 killed.
Lancashire, 2 years old, 31ft. long, 7ft. diameter, tube 2ft. 10in. diameter, with 56 Field tubes in each, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The right hand tube collapsed and ruptured from softening of plates through shortness of water. The fire was blown out and set the premises on fire and much damage was done.
No.45. Cardiff.
October 1st.
1 killed, 2 injured.
Locomotive, 4½ years old, 14ft. long, 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 120 lbs. pressure. The fire box was reduced to 1/32 inch by corrosion, and unable to bear the usual pressure and rent open, and the escaping contents rushed out at the fire doors and injured those near.
No.46. Liverpool. (Fig. 37.)
October 4th.
4 killed, 4 injured.
Plain Cylinder, 6ft. 6in. long, 3ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 80 lbs. pressure. The plates were corroded both inside and out, and in some places reduced to less than 1/16 inch in thickness, and it was quite unfit to bear the ordinary pressure. The damage to the surrounding property was very great although the boiler was so small. The shell of the boiler was thrown across a street into an upper room of the house opposite.
No.47. Bathgate.
October 14th.
2 injured.
Rag Boiler. The boiler became exposed to higher pressure than it was intended to bear. The boiler house was destroyed, but no particulars have been obtained.
No.48. Walsall. (Fig. 38.)
October 19th.
1 killed, 2 injured.
Cornish, 7 years old, 13ft. 3in. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, tube 3ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, and supposed to work at 30 lbs. pressure. The gauge was so out of order that it only indicated half the real pressure. The tube was not in good condition and had leaked very much and was quite unfit for the pressure of 60 lbs. to which the valve was loaded. The tube collapsed beyond the bridge, and the contents issued at the back and drove the boiler forward 30 feet and into a workshop.
No.49. Soho. (Fig. 39.)
October 19th.
1 killed, 1 injured.
One of four. Lancashire, 23ft. long, 7ft. diameter, tube 2ft. 6in. diameter, 30 lbs. pressure, usually, but 15 lbs. at time of explosion. The left side of left tube collapsed and rent owing to shortness of water.
No.50. North Wales. (Fig. 40.)
October 19th.
1 killed, 8 injured.
One of two. Cornish, 26ft. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, tube 3ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 23 lbs. pressure. The bottom was so thinned by external corrosion that it was not able to bear the usual pressure and rent open. The boiler was turned upside down, and the house much injured.
No.51. Berwick. (Fig. 41.)
October 21st.
1 killed.
Cornish, 12ft. long, 4ft. 3in. diameter, tube 2ft. 4½in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 32 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed, having become overheated through shortness of water.
No.52. Sheffield. (Fig. 42.)
October 26th.
1 killed, 1 injured.
Locomotive, 11 years old, 9ft. 6in. long, 4ft. diameter, ½ inch plates, 80 lbs. pressure. The top plate over fire box was blown off, having given way along a "furrow" caused by corrosion in a line of strain owing to position of stays. It was in a part of the boiler where it is not usual to find it, and as it could not be seen, it increased until unable to bear the usual pressure.
No.53. Darlaston. (Fig. 43.)
October 27th.
3 injured.
Plain Cylinder, 22ft. long, 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. The water was allowed to get so low that the sides were softened by overheating, and rent open. The boiler was not moved and only a few bricks were disturbed.
No.54. Cornwall. (Fig. 44.)
October 27th.
1 killed.
One of three. Cornish, 12 years old, 36ft. long, 6ft. diameter, tube 3ft. 9in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 38 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed from end to end, the front and central parts being blown out. The shell and back of tube were thrown in one piece to the rear, and much damage was done. It was supposed to have been short of water, because the tube had collapsed, but it is more likely it collapsed because of its weakness without strengthening rings. A tube in this boiler collapsed in a similar way about 5 years previously.
No.55. Newcastle. (Fig. 45.)
November 17th.
1 killed, 2 injured.
One of seven. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 30 years old, 26ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure, mechanically fired. Gave way at a seam on the right hand side of the fire place, where the insertion of a new plate had caused injury to the old plate, and it divided into two parts which were sent in different directions. The uncertainty and treacherousness of these straight seamed boilers has often been pointed out. See No. 41, and many examples in former years.
No.56. South Wales.
November 19th.
none injured.
Cornish, 7ft. diameter, tube 4ft. diameter, 40 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed from weakness.
No.57. Shields. (Fig. 46.)
November 24th.
1 killed, 2 injured.
One of two. Marine, second hand when put in 3 years since. Return tube 12ft. 4in. long, slightly oval, 6ft. diameter at front, and 5ft. 6in. at back; tube, oval, 3ft. 10in. wide, and 3ft. deep, 5/16 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed. It was in such a corroded and cracked condition, and so badly repaired, with screw patches, that it was unable to bear the ordinary pressure.
No.58. Manchester. (Fig 47.)
December 2nd.
3 injured.
One of two. Balloon, used for evaporating only, nearly new, 9ft. high, and 9ft. diameter, ½ inch plates, not usually worked at any pressure. The top was thrown 60 yards away, and the bottom left on furnace. The boiler was temporarily exposed to pressure which it was too weak a shape to bear.
No.59. Bilston. (Fig. 48.)
December 2nd.
1 killed, 2 injured.
Plain Cylinder, 5 years old, 14ft. 9in. long, 4ft. 9in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. The water was allowed to get so low that the sides became softened by overheating and rent open, and blew the fire upon those near, but without disturbing the boiler or brickwork.
No.60. Hanley. (Fig. 49.)
December 16th.
1 killed, 5 injured.
One of two. Balloon, 30 years old, 15ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, worked at 20 lbs. pressure. It rent in two and threw down the engine house and chimney. The boiler was not intended to work at more than 5 lbs. pressure, and was quite unable to bear the extra pressure to which it was exposed.
No.61. Leeds. (Fig. 50.)
December 24th.
1 injured.
Domestic, wrought iron, welded, 13½ inches wide, 12 inches high. The house had been empty, and the pipes to cistern, 26 feet above, had frozen, and when a fire was lighted the accumulated pressure, having no escape, forced out the front.
No.62. Leamington. (Fig. 51.)
December 25th.
none injured.
Domestic Saddle, wrought iron welded, 1ft. 9in. long, and the same width and height. The circulating pipes were stopped by ice, and the accumulated pressure forced down the underside and rent open the joint. The building was injured.
No.63. Morley. (Fig. 52.)
December 25th.
none injured.
Domestic Saddle, wrought iron welded, 2ft. 6in. long, 1ft. 6in. wide and high. The circulating pipes being stopped by ice the accumulated pressure forced out the plate on the under side. The building was injured.
No.64. Liverpool. (Fig. 53.)
December 25th.
2 injured.
Domestic, 1ft. 8in. wide and high, 1ft. deep, ½ inch cast iron. The circulating pipes were stopped with ice, and the accumulated pressure forced out the front, and did great damage to the house.
No.65. London. (Fig. 54.)
December 25th.
1 killed.
Domestic, wrought iron, 1ft. 3in. wide, 1ft. 4in. high, 6in. deep, 3/8 inch thick. The circulating pipes to the cistern about 30ft. above were stopped with ice, and the accumulated pressure rent the boiler in the welded joints, and did great damage to the house.
No.66. Dukinfield. (Fig. 55.)
December 26th.
none injured.
Domestic, cast iron, 3/8 inch thick, 1ft. 3in. wide, 1ft. deep. The circulating pipes were frozen, and the pressure accumulated and rent the boiler to fragments and did great damage to the room.
No.67. Northallerton. (Fig. 56.)
December 29th.
1 injured.
Locomotive, 20 years old, 12ft. 9in. long, with plates arranged lengthways, 3ft. 8in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 80 lbs. pressure. The barrel appears to have given way on the under side near fire box, and opened out and rent into fragments. As the pieces containing the probable first rent were missing, nothing positive could be ascertained. It may have contributed to the rupture that the engine drew from the fire box instead of from the frame.
No.68. London. (Fig. 57.)
December 29th.
none injured.
Domestic, Saddle, wrought iron, welded, 1ft. 6in. long, 1ft. 2in. wide, and 1ft. high, 3/8 inch thick. The circulating pipes to cistern 25ft. above were frozen, and the accumulated pressure forced the crown out of under side of boiler, and caused great damage to premises.
No.69. London.
December 30th.
none injured.
Domestic, the circulating pipes were frozen, and the accumulated pressure caused the boiler to rent open, but little damage was done.
No.70. Burton.
Date not ascertained.
1 killed.
Plain Cylinder, underground, internally corroded until too weak to bear ordinary pressure.
R. Broomhall, Printer, Stourbridge.
No.1. Tranmere. (Fig. 1.)
January 1st.
1 injured.
Domestic. Cast-iron, 1ft. 4in. wide, 1ft. high, and 11in. deep. The circulating pipes being frozen the pressure accumulated, and rent the boiler into pieces, doing great damage.
No.2. Rochdale. (Fig. 2.)
January 2nd.
1 injured.
Plain cylinder, 11ft. long, 3ft. 1in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. Ruptured at a bad patch over grate, around which were many old cracks, and the rent passed along the bottom, and through the unguarded manhole, and round several of the transverse seams, dividing the boiler into 4 or 5 pieces, which were widely scattered, but are arranged in sketch near their original position.
No.3.
January 2nd.
none injured.
Cornish, 32ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. Tube ruptured at first seam over the fire from weakness caused by internal corrosion.
No.4. Middlesbro. (Fig. 3.)
January 4th.
1 killed.
Domestic, 1ft. 3in. wide, 1ft. high, 11in. deep, 5/16 inch thick. The circulating pipes being frozen, the pressure accumulated and rent the boiler open, doing considerable damage.
No.5. Stirchley. (Fig. 4.)
January 9th.
1 killed, 4 injured.
One of five, about 30 years old. Lancashire, 18ft. 2in. long, 7ft. 6in. diameter. Tubes 2ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 12 lbs. pressure. Ruptured at corroded steam pipe joint at top of front end, and the rent followed along the angle ring of shell which was also corroded, and then along the seams of some plates in the bottom, placed longitudinally, allowing the top of the boiler to open up like a lid, without moving it much out of its original position.
No.6. Cornwall.
January 12th.
1 killed.
Cornish, 30ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure. The ball weight of the safety valve was unusually near the steam pipe, and it is supposed that the boy who was scalded having put his dinner on the pipe to warm, it slipped between the ball and pipe; and that in trying to extricate it he lifted the valve which was held open by the "pasty" wedged under the ball.
No.7. Dalry.
January 13th.
3 injured.
One of two, 25 years old. Plain cylinder, 24ft. long, 4ft. diameter, 5/16 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. Gave way at a ring seam where much corroded near the back end, which was blown to the rear, the front end being thrown considerably forwards, and the shell was torn into many fragments which damaged the engine house, and so injured the other boiler that it also was rent into pieces and thrown some distance away. One safety valve was made to serve for the two boilers, and the connecting valve being shut there was no escape from this boiler, so that the bursting pressure soon accumulated. A similar boiler attached to the same engine exploded in April, 1870, and is mentioned as No. 15 in the "records" of that year.
No.8. S. Wales.
January 15th.
none injured
Plain cylinder, 5 years old, 35ft. 6in. long, 4ft. 10in. diameter, ½ inch plates, 55 lbs. pressure. Some plates over the fire became red hot from the accumulation of scale some inches thick upon them and gave way, and the reaction of the issuing contents sent the boiler some distance and did much damage.
No.9. Manchester.
January 16th.
1 injured.
Plain cylinder, flat ends, very old, 8ft. 4in. long, 3ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The front plate was blown out, and the boiler was thrown backwards for some distance. The boiler was corroded until too weak to bear the ordinary pressure.
No.10. Sunderland.
January 17th.
1 killed, 1 injured.
Marine. The steam expansion joint was placed between two opposite curves in the pipe, and one end drew out when first under pressure.
No.11. Leslie.
January 26th.
2 killed.
Cornish, 10ft. long, 4ft. diameter. Tube 2ft. 4in. diameter, plates 5/16 inch, 40 lbs. pressure. Gave way at bottom where it rested on the brickwork, the plates being completely eaten away by external corrosion.
No.12. Gateshead. (Fig. 5.)
January 27th.
none injured.
Domestic, 3ft. high, 2ft. wide, and 1ft. 1in. deep, 3/8 inch plates. The circulating pipes being frozen, the pressure accumulated, and rent the boiler open doing great damage.
No.13. Bradford. (Fig. 6.)
February 1st.
1 killed.
Plain cylinder, 5 years old, flat ends, 7ft. 5in. long, 3ft. 4in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The safety valve was loaded to 70 lbs., and this pressure was too great for the insufficient stay to the flat end, which was blown out, the boiler being thrown backwards.
No.14. Dover.
February 5th.
1 killed.
Marine, 70 lbs. pressure. The boiler was not moved from its place, and the damage appeared to have been slight, but no particulars have been obtained.
No.15. Newcastle. (Fig. 7.)
Feb. 10th.
none injured.
One of three, 3 years old. Chimney, 27ft. high, 5ft. diameter. Tube 2ft. 9in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. Collapsed about half-way up the tube from overheating through shortness of water.
No.16. Birmingham. (Fig. 8.)
February 15th.
3 injured.
One of two, 1 year old. Portable upright, 6ft. high, 3ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. There was but one safety valve, and that was on the other boiler. The junction valve between the boilers was closed, when left for the night, without the fire being properly put out, and there being no outlet for the steam the pressure accumulated, and the boiler ruptured at the unguarded manhole and rent into fragments, much damaging the closely packed houses near.
No.17. Stockton.
March 8th.
none injured.
Locomotive. The connecting rod broke and pierced the boiler, allowing contents to issue violently. A similar case was mentioned as No. 27, July 21st, 1868, and others have occurred in previous years.
No.18. Bradford. (Fig. 9.)
March 9th.
1 killed, 1 injured.
One of six, 3 years old. Lancashire, 27ft. long, 7ft. diameter. Tubes 2ft. 8in. diameter, slightly oval, 7/16 inch plates, 60 lbs. pressure. The left hand tube collapsed downwards from overheating through shortness of water. The boiler was not moved, and little damage was done to premises.
No.19. Glasgow.
March 11th.
3 killed, 3 injured.
Rag Boiler. The screws of the manlid were loosened before the steam was exhausted, and the issuing contents scalded those near.
No.20. Wootton Bassett. (Fig. 10.)
March 11th.
2 killed, 1 injured.
Cornish, 12ft. long, 4ft. 8in. diameter. Tube 2ft. 3in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 72 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed downwards from overheating through shortness of water. This was the second time the tube had collapsed, although the boiler had only worked 18 months.
No.21. Newcastle. (Fig. 11.)
March 16th.
1 killed.
Plain cylinder, flat ends, 16ft. long, 3ft. 6in. diameter, 5/16 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. There being no stays to support the flat ends the varying pressure caused a slight movement backward and forward (sometimes called "drum-head" motion), which facilitated corrosion in certain lines of strain, and produced a "furrow" at the front near the bottom, which rent open. The boiler was not moved, and little damage was done to the premises.
No.22. Brigg. (Fig. 12.)
March 17th.
1 killed, 1 injured.
One of five, 5 years old. Plain cylinder, 68ft. long, 4ft. 4in. diameter, plates 5/16 inch full, 65 lbs. pressure. Heated by gas. Rent at fourth seam, the front end being thrown a great distance forward, and the back end to the rear, displacing the other 4 boilers. The ruptured seam was next to a patch where the cutting out of the old rivets and putting in of new had caused a seam-rip.
No.23. S. Wales. (Fig. 13.)
March 18th.
none injured.
One of two, 36 years old. Lancashire, 30ft. long, 9ft. diameter. Tubes 3ft. diameter, ½ inch plates, 22 lbs. pressure. The boiler was rent into 3 pieces. Five rings of the back part were torn off and thrown to the rear. Four rings in the middle were opened out flat and fell across the other boiler, and the remaining part of the shell with the tubes were left on the seating. The boiler was old and much patched, and was corroded too thin to bear the usual pressure.
No.24. Lynn. (Fig. 14.)
March 23rd.
2 killed.
Cornish, 10 years old, 7ft. 3in. long, 3ft. 2in. diameter. Tubes 1ft. 10in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 36 lbs. pressure. The tube ruptured at the last ring of plates, and was forced inwards, allowing the contents to issue at the back. The boiler was slightly thrown forward. It was only used occasionally, but was so much reduced by internal corrosion as to be unable to bear the usual pressure.
No.25. Northwich. (Fig. 15.)
May 3rd.
1 killed, 1 injured.
Marine, 7 years old, 9ft. 2in. long, 6ft. 1in. diameter. Furnace tube 2ft. diameter, and 3 inch small tubes, 3/8 inch plates, 81 lbs. pressure. There were two bands as clips round the outside of boiler. Gave way at a seam where some new bottom plates had been inserted, and where the old plate was so thinned by internal corrosion as to be unable to bear the usual pressure. A small plate was blown out and shattered into three pieces, and the boiler was turned end for end.
No.26. Barnstaple.
May 9th.
1 killed.
Revolving Rag boiler of plain cylindrical shape, with three filling holes. The steam was supplied from other boilers. The central lid was unscrewed, without trying, by a small hole for the purpose, whether there was any pressure, and the lid came off, and the contents issued and scalded the attendant.
No.27. Leamington. (Fig. 16.)
May 18th.
1 killed, 2 injured.
Portable multitubular, 9 years old, 8ft. 6in. long, 2ft. 6in. diameter, 5/16 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The safety valve was fastened down by a nail (A) between the lever and the cover, and in consequence the pressure accumulated to more than the boiler could bear, and it was rent into many pieces, which were widely scattered.
No.28.
May 20th.
none injured.
Portable vertical, of peculiar construction, with return down flue tubes, 6ft. high, 4ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure. The shell was torn off, the bottom having given way through weakness, from want of proper stays, from the crown of the fire box to top of the boiler.
No.29. Hull. (Fig. 17.)
May 22nd.
3 killed, 1 injured.