learning to be cautious about the use of the word "visionary." To some persons all suggestion for progress looks visionary. The great Erie Railroad passes through a country of not one-third of the fertility and productive capacity, and connects points of vastly less demand, considering the connections already existing between the lakes or New York city. That work cost twenty millions of dollars; this will not cost ten millions. and will traverse nearly twice the length of country, and of vastly superior fertility.

Let St. Louis make a movement for a inere recognizance of the route, and doubtless New Orleans will respond in half the expense of such an examination, as will place the matter in a favorable light before an enterprising and enlightened public. If these suggestions seem valuable, they are at your service. If you could add any information as to the topograghy of that portion of Missouri, lying along the line, it would doubtless be useful light on the subject. The line contemplated, in suggesting Helena as the terminus on the Mississippi river, would be the same as here described to a point not far from the Memphis road, in Arkansas. Very respectfully submitted by

Oleanda, Carrolton, La.

CALEB G. FORSHEY, Civil Engineer.

ARTICLE III.

Causes of Steam Boiler Explosions.

A treatise upon the causes of steam-boiler explosions, and the proper remedies to prevent them—with drawings for their elucidation. Presented to the Senate of the United States, February 6, 1852, by A. Guthrie, engineer, of Chicago, Illinois.

It is remarkable that in an age so fruitful in discovery and improvement, no plan has yet been devised and reduced to practice, which has materially lessened the dangers incident to travelling on steamboats upon the western waters. The learned chemist and ingenious mechanic have labored for many years to discover the causes and guard the traveller against the terrible effects of explosions, and still the loss of life and property from that cause is scarcely less frequent in proportion to the number of boats, than it was twenty years ago.

We have long entertained the opinion that explosions are occasioned by reason of defective material, unfaithful workmanship in construction and unskilful and reckless engineering rather than

from a lack of knowledge respecting the properties of steam. And this opinion has been confirmed by the perusal of Mr. Guthrie's memorial to Congress.

Mr. Guthrie is a practical engineer who has devoted much time in searching out the causes of explosions, and we feel strong confidence, that by the use of his invention and the regulations which he suggests to Congress, the principal danger, incident to steamboat travelling, will be removed. And we sincerely hope that the Government at Washington will afford him the means necessary to test the value of his invention, and a liberal reward for his labors. Should his plans succeed in guarding the traveller and owners of property against disaster by explosion, he will be entitled to the gratitude of the country and regarded as a benefactor of the age.

The memorial occupies too large a space to authorize us to publish it entire. The following extract will show the nature and results of the investigations made by the author.

"For the purpose of learning more fully the real causes of the frequent explosions of steam-boilers upon the western rivers, and to be the better able to apply the proper correction, I set out with a determination, personally, to inspect every steamboat navigating the Mississippi or any of its tributaries. After eight months of constant application, I became satisfied that it would be next to impossible for any one individual to procure the measurements that would be required of the machinery of all these boats; but having succeeded in the examination of nearly three hundred or them, which being somewhat less than one-half of all that are supposed to be running upon these waters, I cut short the examination. I presume, however, that those which I have examined will give me a pretty good idea of all those remaining; I presume, too, that my information might not have been very materially extended by a consultation with the engineers belonging to them. Having already consulted with a large proportion of those in care of the boats from which I had taken the measurements, I the more willingly yielded to the necessity of closing the examination. I have selected two hundred, from the three hundred of these boats, the measurements of which would be the most likely to give me a correct understanding of the proportions, forms and arrangements of all that may be remaining."

"I am fully persuaded, from all the information I could obtain from these sources, together with a somewhat extended experience of my own, that in a very great majority of all the explosions of boilers upon the western waters, the causes were the direct result of negligence, carelessnesss, or reckless imprudence on the part of the engineer. Against these causes to seek remedies, and make proper application of them, requires a stronger arm, a higher power, than individual effort or individual example; therefore I suggest a direct application to Congress for the enactment of such

laws as may, in their wisdom, seem necessary to guard against and insure safety from these explosions."

The memorial concludes with the following suggestions:

"Recapitulation of the principal causes tending to produce explosions of steam boilers.-1st. Using iron of an improper thickness, or that of an inferior quality, in the construction of boilers; also, the too frequent use of cast-iron in steam and water pipes, and parts of boilers.

2d. Using boilers defective in form or workmanship, ineffectually stay-bolted or fastened; and also, using boilers weakened by age

or use.

3d. Employment of incompetent, reckless, or intemperate engineers.

4th. Using in the construction of steamboats, boilers, engines, paddle-wheels, and machinery, without proper regard to the relative proportions which should exist between the different parts of the whole.

5th. Using inefficient or unsuitable pumping apparatus, and not providing for free and open passages for the water to the boiler, and afterwards for the exit of the steam to the engines.

6th. In not providing a suitable or a sufficient number of safetyvalves for the free and full discharge of steam when suddenly accumulating.

7. Want of a proper and suitable system or mode of inspection of steam-boilers, engines, and machinery; want of suitable and uniform instruments for testing, by hydrostatic pressure, the actual powers of resistance of every boiler brought into use; and also an entire want of laws requiring an inspection of boiler-iron, or material for the construction of boilers.

8th. Want of competent and faithful inspectors, clothed with sufficient authority to regulate the conduct of engineers, and the management and general arrangement of engines and machinery, with power to establish a limit to excessive pressure, within the capabilities of the boilers to withstand it.

9th. Want of a board of supervising engineers, whose duty it is to exercise a general surveillance over all boats or vessels navigated in whole or in part by steam, within the jurisdiction of the United States; and also to exercise a like surveillance over boards of inspection, conduct of engineers, and others in charge of steam engines.

Enumeration of the causes tending to produce explosions, through the conduct of those in charge.-1st. Allowing water to get low in the boilers, through negligence, carelessness, or design.

2d. Overloading the safety-valve, and permitting a dangerous accumulation of steam, for the purpose of racing or wanton display.

3d. Through negligence in not blowing off steam when lying at a landing, or when the engines are not in motion.

Remedies proposed.-1st. Require, that in the manufacture of all steam-boilers hereafter to be made, the best material shall be used, and that of a proper thickness; abandon as far as possible the use of cast iron in any part of boilers, steam or waterpipes, where they are likely to be subjected to great pressure.

2d. Never allow the use of a defective boiler in any case, whether it be defective in form, workmanship, age, or use.

3d. Employ competent, prudent and careful engineers, granting certificates to those who are worthy, and prohibiting the employment of the incompetent and intemperate from running engines where life or property may be endangered.

4th. Instruct the board of supervising engineers, as soon as may be practicable, to recommend or establish such relative proportions between all the parts of boilers, engine, paddle-wheels, pumps and machinery, as will insure in the best manner safety of life and property; also, to establish such rules and regulations for the conduct of engineers and management of engines as will give, as near as may be, a uniformity throughout the country. Instruct this board to meet as often as may be deemed necessary, for the purpose of joint consultation, to recommend improvements, to make rules to be observed by the different boards of inspection, to equalize as far as possible the operation of any laws which may be hereafter enacted, and to see that all are faithfully and rigidly carried

out.

5th. Provide the most ample and certain means for supplying the boilers at all times with water, guarding against a possibility of a want of a full and ample supply.

6th. Provide suitable and proper safety-valves for each and every steam-boiler hereafter to be used, and such as will at all times afford a certain and free discharge of steam when suddenly accumulating.

7th. Establish a system of inspection that shall be uniform throughout the country, subjecting to hydrostatic pressure every boiler to be used for purposes of steam power, to three times the pressure to which the engineer shall ever be allowed to use it.

8th. Appoint competent, faithful and honest inspectors in such places as the steam navigation of the country shall require; clothe them with proper authority for the faithful discharge of the important duties of inspection, giving them a proper control over the conduct of engineers and the management of engines and machinery.

9th. Pass such laws as will be most likely to insure the faithful performance of the duties of engineers, inducing them to keep a regular supply of water at all times in the boiler, and never to subject them to undue pressure.

I feel every confidence in expressing an opinion that if these few recommendations shall be faithfully carried out, explosions of steam-boilers will no longer occur. From many years of practical experience, and a long and careful investigation of this subject, I have become well satisfied, in my own mind, that there never has been a single explosion in this country but what could be traced directly to some one of the causes I have enumerated, but which might have been prevented by prudence and care.

I feel such confidence in the above statement, that I would be willing to choose blind-folded any steamboat in this country, and run her to any port within it, and return, without the least danger of explosion. I would do it simply by the exercise of prudence and care.

It is true, that there might be defects in some parts of her boilers or machinery that I could not discover, and which might prove fatal to my success. It is for the purpose of discovering these defects, and applying the proper remedy, correcting the evils that to-day exist, and providing against the present dangers that surround us, that we call upon the Government for its aid.

It seems to me that money can have no weight against a successful effort to cure this great evil. Individually, I have probably devoted more time and means pursuing the investigation of this subject than any one individual in this country, and even up to this day without a prospect of remuneration; yet, if the evil can be corrected by any effort of mine, I shall feel that I have not lived altogether in vain.

It may perhaps appear to some that I bear too heavily upon the main body of engineers; but allow me to remark that I am an engineer myself, engaged in this avocation as a means of subsistence, and that I am not insensible of the many difficulties against which engineers have to contend, nor am I insensible, on the other hand, of the great sacrifice of life and property which has been the penalty of explosion. I consider that the true interest of all will best be promoted by concealing nothing, but rather to make an open and frank avowal of all the causes co-operating to bring about these sad events, and then bespeak that aid which I am sure none will withhold.

It appears to me that I have now gone as far in my recommendations as would be necessary to secure perfect immunity from explosions, and as far as legislative aid can go to promote the same object; and here I should have left it, were it not that pecuniary interest exerts such a strong influence over the conduct of men, as induces them oftentimes to evade the most salutary and wise provisions of law, at any prospect of gain. In the measures I have proposed, I have endeavored, as far as possible, to restrict myself to such recommendations as should require no great sacrifice of property, or make any great innovation upon the present