Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/183



Mr. W. A. Summers. 19 August, 1831. horses in drawing Carriages, even at low velocities.

How often do you find it necessary to clean your boiler?—We have never found it necessary to clean it yet, it has been in operation more than twelve months.

Do you conceive that is owing to the peculiar quality of the water, or that under any circumstances that would happen?—We have had water of every description.

Is there no incrustation upon it?—Not the slightest.

Supposing there were incrustation upon it, would it be difficult to clean it, and would that require an engineer?—It would merely require a common labourer to clean the boiler, which might be done by removing some plugs that communicate with each of the cylinders of which the boiler is composed, and when required may be done with a scraper or wire brush.

What becomes of the carbonate of lime and the sulphate of lime, and so on, which are in solution in different waters?—Every time after we have arrived at our journey's end, we open a cock communicating with the bottom of the boiler; perhaps we do not give the matter time enough to rest, it is all blown out at the pressure of 240 lbs, on the square inch.

Have you ever had your boilers rent?—No, we have never had an instance in which the boiler has given way in any part of it, and in several instances we have had it red hot.

Of what material is it formed?—Of the best charcoal iron.

Have you ever tried it by pressure?—I proved the boiler before it was put into the Steam Carriage at 364 lbs, on the square inch; it will support 740 lbs, on the square inch.

At what pressure do you work?—We usually work it on the road at a pressure between 240 and 260, finding that pressure more economical than any other. What surface of iron is exposed to the fire and heated air?–Two hundred and forty-five superficial feet; the weight of the boiler is eight cwt, two quarters.