steam or the water issuing from a high-pressure boiler; but remembered many instances of persons being scalded from the same cause by a low-pressure engine, only one of which came directly under his own eye.-Was quite of opinion, that boilers made of wrought iron for high-pressure engines would soon become leaky, and that too without exploding. Knew an instance of a boiler of that description made, which became leaky and unfit for use in a very short time; the consequence of which was, the working of the mine was stopped, and a great number of people thrown out of employ.-Supposing the only object to be safety to the lives or limbs of the persons who should be surrounding the engine, would, in that case, prefer having the boiler of a high-pressure engine of cast iron, because it could certainly be made stronger than wrought iron for the same expense; while he considered the risk was so small as that it scarcely need be taken into the question, because all explosions might be easily prevented by proving the boiler every time it was cleansed, which he thought should be at least every month.-Had found the use of a highpressure engine of great advantage to the Cornish mines, which could be proved by the monthly reports.-Conceived that every engine ought to have two safety-valves, and one should be locked up to prevent careless enginemen doing mischief, which low-pressure engines are as liable to as high.-Was of opinion that a high-pressure engine did greater duty with the same coals than a low, which could also be proved by the monthly reports.Being desired to attend the Hon. Committee on the part of the proprietors of three of the largest mines in Cornwall, the united mines of Crowan, Dolcoath, and Weal Unity, they wished to state their hope, that the Legislature would not interfere to prevent the use of high-pressure engines, either on board boats, or in any other way.

Mr. THOMAS LEAN, Inspector of Steam engines, of Crowan, in Cornwall, called in and examined. Was employed by nearly the whole of the miners in Cornwall to inspect their engines, and make monthly reports of the work they performed.-Conceived there was no danger whatever in the use of high-pressure steam engines: and for this reason, that, in general, for an engine intended to be worked with high steam, the materials were made stronger in proportion than the materials used for steam of low-pressure.-Considered it of importance that every boiler should have two safety-valves, one of which should be confined from the engine-man.

In a boiler in which great strength was required, would certainly recommend cast iron, and had no doubt but it could be made much stronger than wrought iron, the explosions that had happened in Cornwall having all been in wrought-iron boilers, and from lowpressure steam.-In every boiler that was built, there was one part of it weaker than another, and it was hardly possible for a boiler to be thrown about in fragments to do mischief. Should not feel any hesitation to sit on the cast-iron boilers in Cornwall when an explosion took place, being convinced the explosion would take place at the under part.-Was in the habit of working the high-pressure boiler at forty pounds to an inch, while they were proved to three hundred, and that too without injuring the boiler.—Apprehended, that with a boiler so constructed, so proved, and guarded by two safety-valves, there would be no danger whatever in any situation; and was also of opinion, that the highpressure engines in Cornwall had saved at least twofifths of the whole consumption of coals in the county; in some instances it had saved three-fifths.

Mr. GEORGE DODD again called in and examined,

H

Witness wished to offer to the Committee a second safety-valve, which admitted of being locked up so as to be inaccessible to the engineer. This was furnished with a flat bottom, resting upon a flat circular ring; the steam escaping from the sides of the box through apertures, so constructed as that nothing could be introduced to impede its action.

William LestER, Esq. of Lambeth, called in and examined. Witness attended for the purpose of delivering the drawing of a valve so constructed, as to prevent the possibility of any person having access to it to prevent its action; it was self-acting entirely from the gravity of a column of water acting upon the valve, which prevented its being locked by any mode, and it could not adhere because it was not a cone acting in another cone, but a flat surface pressing upon the top of a cylinder; and being enclosed in a box, and the steam getting out at the bottom, no matter could get upon the valve to cause its adhesion.

REPORT.

THE Select Committee appointed to consider of the means of preventing the mischief of Explosion from happening on board Steam-Boats, to the danger or destruction of his Majesty's Subjects on board such Boats; and who were empowered to report their observations and opinion thereupon to the House; together with the Minutes of the Evidence taken before them; have, pursuant to the Order of the House, considered the matters to them referred, and agreed to the following Report:

Your Committee entered on the task assigned them, with a strong feeling of the inexpediency of legislative interference with the management of private concerns or property, farther than the public safety should demand, and more especially with the exertions of that mechanical skill and ingenuity, in which the artists of this country are so pre-eminent, by which the labour of man has been greatly abridged, the manufactures of the country carried to an unrivalled perfection, and its commerce extended over the whole world.

Among these, it is impossible for a moment to overlook the introduction of steam as a most powerful agent, of almost universal application, and of such utility, that but for its assistance, a very large portion of the workmen employed in an extensive mineral district of this kingdom, would be deprived of their subsistence.

A reference to the evidence taken before your Committee, will also shew with what advantage this power has lately been applied, in Great Britain, to propel vessels both of burden and passage; how much more extensively it has been used in America, and of what farther application it is certainly capable, if it may not be said to be even now anticipated in prospect.

Such considerations have rendered your Committee still more averse than when they entered on the inquiry, to propose to the House the adoption of any legislative measure, by which the science and ingenuity of our artists might even appear to be fettered or discouraged.

But they apprehend that a consideration of what is due to public safety, has on several occasions established the principle, that where that safety may be endangered by ignorance, avarice, or inattention, against which individuals are unable, either from the want of knowledge,

or of the power to protect themselves, it becomes the duty of Parliament to interpose.

In illustration of this principle, many instances might be given; the enactments, respecting party-walls in building, the qualification of physicians, pilots, &c. the regulations respecting stage-coaches, &c. seem all to be grounded upon it. And your Committee are of opinion, that its operation may, with at least equal propriety, be extended to the present case, on account of the disastrous consequences likely to ensue from the explosion of the boiler of a steam engine in a passage-vessel, and that the causes by which such accidents have generally been produced, have neither been discoverable by the skill, nor controllable by the power of the passengers, · even where they have been open to observation.

Your Committee find it to be the universal opinion of all persons conversant in such subjects, that steam-engines of some construction may be applied with perfect security, even to passage-vessels; and they generally agree, though with some exceptions, that those called high-pressure engines, may be safely used with the precaution of wellconstructed boilers, and properly adapted safety-valves; and further, a great majority of opinions lean to boilers of wrought iron or metal, in preference to cast iron.

Your Committee, therefore, in consequence, have come to the following resolutions, which they propose to the consideration of the House:

1. Resolved, That it appears to this Committee, from the evidence of several experienced engineers, examinéd before them, that the explosion in the steam-packet at Norwich, was caused not only by the improper construction and materials of the boiler, but the safety-valve connected with it having been overloaded; by which the expansive force of the steam was raised to a degree