Steam boiler explosions, in theory and in pactice; . k. (9). That all the circumstances attending the mostviolent explosions may occur without a sudden increase ofpressure within a boiler the explosion being producedby gradually accumulated pressure. (10). That but a small portion of water, highly heated,can expand into steam, if suddenly relieved of pressure. (n). That water can be heated to very high temper-ature only under immensely high pressure. (12). That steam-pressure may rise even after it hasraised the safety-valve. Over thirty years passed before another serious at-tempt was made to
Steam boiler explosions, in theory and in pactice; . k. (9). That all the circumstances attending the mostviolent explosions may occur without a sudden increase ofpressure within a boiler the explosion being producedby gradually accumulated pressure. (10). That but a small portion of water, highly heated,can expand into steam, if suddenly relieved of pressure. (n). That water can be heated to very high temper-ature only under immensely high pressure. (12). That steam-pressure may rise even after it hasraised the safety-valve. Over thirty years passed before another serious at-tempt was made to thoroughly investigate the subject; EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS. 161 but in the year 1871, experiments were inaugurated on alarge scale.* In the work of investigation involving the explosionof steam-boilers, it is usually necessary to provide a saferetreat for the observers, from which to watch the pro-gress of the experiment, and from which to read thesteam-gauge, to watch the water-level, and to take thereading of the thermometers or Fig. 61.—Bomb-proof. The illustration represents the structure, composed ofheavy timber, and partially underground, used at thetesting ground at Sandy Hook, by the U. S. Commis-sion of 1873-6. These experiments were projected and conducted byMr. Francis B. Stevens, of Hoboken, and at the request ofMr. S. the United Railroad Companies of New Jerseyappropriated the sum of ten thousand dollars to enableMr. Stevens to enter upon a preliminary series of ex- * Journal Franklin Inst., Jan., 1872, !62 steam boiler explosions. periments. They, at the same time, invited other rail-roads and owners of steam-boilers to co-operate withthem, and offered the use of their shops for any workthat might be considered necessary or desirable duringthe progress of the work; no such aid was, however, re-ceived. Several old boilers had recently been taken out of thesteamers of the United Companies. These were sub-jected to hydrostatic pressure, until rup
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