REMARKABLE BOILER ACCIDENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 676, 2 April 1875, Page 3

REMARKABLE BOILER ACCIDENT.

A must extraordinary boiler accident occurred in Queen street, Auckland, on March 23rd, The engine was used by Mr Lamb, at the corner of Edwardes and Queen streets, for chaff-cutting. The boiler was an ordinary cylinder boiler, of about 2ft. in diameter, aud Bft long, with dome. Its weight was about Tho boiler was built in with bricks. Adjoining the engineshed was a two-storey building, in which hay was stowed, and a chaff-cutting machine placed. Shortly after 10 o’clock Air Lamb with a hoy, was engaged upstairs preparing the chaff-cutter for use, when they were startled by a terrific explosion. Running downstairs, Mr Lamb found the whole of the engine-shod a complete ruin. The fence towards Edwardes street was broken down, and a quantity of rubbish and the end of the boiler had been driven into that thoroughfare, hut the boiler itself was missing. At the opposite side of Lamb’s yard, and higher up Queen street, are Frazer’s livery and bait stables, and, close adjoining these, a large block of two-storied wooden buildings, including the Queen’s Head Hotel and a number of shops. The shop of this block lowest down tbe street, and consequently nearest to Lamb’s yards, is one occupied by Air Hayward, mattrass-maker. Right through the roof of Frazer’s stables, aud through the weather-boards at the side of Air Hayward’s premises, at tbe height of about 15ft, there had been driven a broad track, the stout weatherboards having been broken and splintered like chips. Hayward’s house fronts in Upper Queen street, and on the side next the street a similar opening has been made. In fact the whole boiler, like a gigantic projectile from a mammoth camion, had been driven through two buildings. From Hayward’s it passed right over Upper Queen street, over the fencing at the embankment near this spot, and was brought to a sudden stand-still by a stout blue-gum tree, within a few feet of a small cottage in the gully occupied by a family named Migers. The shock here was so groat as to smash one of the windows in the cottage, hut the boiler remained unbroken. Strange to say, the passage of this murderous projectile was unattended with any injury to life and limb. The most miraculous escape in connection with the occurrence was that of Airs Hayward. The room through which the boiler passed was the bedroom, and Airs Hayward, who had been engaged making up tho beds and child’s cot, was just leaving tho room, snd had passed through the door when the boiler came crashing through the room, passing within a yard of her and strewing destruction on every side, disappearing through tho opposite wall, driving some of the pieces of furniture with it. Mrs Hayward had just sufficient presence of mind and strength to stagger downstairs in a most agitated state, and fainted. Mr Hayward, who was below, thought that a thunderbolt had struck the house. The boiler did not break away tho floor in passing through, hut crossed it at a height of LJtt or 2ft, and the injury effected, therefore, is mainly to the furniture, which is a complete wreck, and the walls of the building, in which an opening of sft by 4ft has been broken. The stairs leading to a higher floor were carried away, and the partitions were broken. There wore few people in the street at the time, but thcOnchunga ’bus had only just passed. No one was injured, and Mrs Hayward has recovered from tho severe nervous shock she sustained. Tho statement by Air Lamb that the boiler was well supplied with water is home out by the appearance of the boiler itself, which shows no signs of being red-hot. It is also a strong boiler, as may be imagined from the fact that it remains unbroken after such a journey. The bottom plate blown out, although a little busty in one place, also looks strong and capable of standing for many years. Competent authorities have estimated, judging from the appearance of the boiler, that from 1001b to 1201b pressure would have been necessary to cause the explosion.