The Locomotive - Lighthouse Survival Blog

ib'jj.j T HE L U C O M O T 1 V E 175
conduct of mutual insuiuuco compaiiics lias also Ijccii invt'sti|i;atc'(l. In one case in which
a tug boiler had been insured with one of these companies the Court commented on tin-
fact that a report of survey was made by directors of the association in which they
described the boiler as in good condition witliout having nuule any examination of it.
In another case an insurance comj)any or its responsiI>le officer was found to blame for
not discontinuing a policy after the failure by the owner to repair defects pointed out
on the examination of the boiler. In four cases inspectors of companies have been found
to blame for defective examinations.
"The Commissioners have also animadverted on the conduct of boiler maker.s,
boiler vendors, Ijoiler repairers, and engineers having the management of boilers, as well
as upon the conduct of owners. In two cases the vendors of boilers were found to blame
for misleading the purchasers as to the condition of the boilers. In one case the maker
of a boiler was found to blame. In four cases boiler repairers were found to blame.
Skippers of vessels have been found to blame in two cases. In one case the agent of a
colliery was exonerated from ))ersonal blame, but as representing the owners he was held
responsible for the negligent acts of their servants, and he was ordered to pay $oOO
towards costs. The Board were advised, however, that in the circumstances the amount
could not be recovered against the agent. In twelve cases engineers and managers in
the employment of the owners have been found to blame, and in one case a consulting
engineer was found to blame.
"If the number of boiler explosions be not regarded as excessive in comparison
with the very large number of boilers in use in the United Kingdom, these investigations
confirm the conclusions already generally accepted, that explosions are very seldom the
result of accident, but that the great majority of them are clearly preventable, and that
periodical inspection by skilled persons, coupled however with an obligation to repair
the discovered defects, is by far the most effectual means of prevention. It may further
be deduced that to the extent that the insurance of boilers leads to their examination by
competent persons, it operates as a preventive."
In conclusion w'e may quote the following table from appendix C of this interesting
report. It gives the number of boiler explosions in Great Britain since the passing of
the first boiler explosions act, in 1883, together with the number of lives lost. As we
understand it, the "year" given in the table ends on June 30; so that, for instance,
" 1882-83" means "from June 30, 1883, to June 30, 1883."
Yeak.
Boiler Explosions in Great Britain since 1882.