Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1882 — Boiler Explosions and their causes. [ARTICLE]

Boiler Explosions and their causes.

Mr. Fletcher, the chief engineer of tho Manchester, (England) Steam Users’ Association for the prevention of steam boiler explosions, has issued a most excellent and practical report upon this subject, and we find that during the year 1879 there was no fewer than 25 serious boiler explosions, causing the deaths of 40 persons, and injuries to 52 others. Of the above total, 9 explosions seem to have been due to defective condition; 5 to excessive pressure; 4to malcoustruction, coupled with defective condition; 3 to inalconstruction,alone; 2 to overheating through shortness of water; and V to caulking under steam pressure. Besides the above there were 22 minor explosions, killing 15 and injuring 36 persons, included iu the number being 12 kitchen and circulating boiler explosions —most of which Mr. Fletcher believes might have been prevented by the use of a small reliable safety-valve. The active causes of these lamentable occurrences—they can scarcely be termed accidents—seem to be 3 in number, namely, (1) faulty construction; (2) absence oil regular inspection, ana (3) carelessness in usage. Ou the first head there should be no room for doubt or mistakes in the present state of our mechanical skill aud knowledge. The second requirement should be, by legal enactment, made compulsory. The third want is one which no legislature caii meet, but it is worthy of notice, that of tho 25 principal explosions last year only 2 were traced to over-heating through shortness of water, so that this cause may be considered tho least important of the trio, apart from which it is obvious that considerations of personal safety will always teud.to keep this risk within due limits. Mr- Fletcher remarks, “the causes of boiler explosions are really very simple,” and wo cordially unite with him* in enjoining upon'all users of steam power the necessity of having their boilers periodically respected, os being tho means of all others of preventing tho appalling occurrences which every now and then shock the community:

Qhrik'lotto is-the only town in North Carolina where physicians have to pay for license to practice their profession. - The peach orchard of John H. Parnell, in Troup.oouuty, Ga., is the largest in the world. It covers 250 acres of laud.