One of two. Plain Cylinder, with flat ends, 22ft. long, 4ft. 3in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 60 lbs. pressure. There had formerly been a tube with internal furnace, and this had been removed without sufficient stays to compensate for the loss of strength. The plates were arranged in the weakest way with seams in one line from end to end, and the strength of the boiler had been further reduced by very frequent patching. Fracture commenced about the centre of the long seam under the dome, which had gradually ripped from rivet to rivet, until unable to bear the ordinary pressure. The boiler exploded because it was completely worn out, and shows how treacherous and uncertain a boiler becomes by constant patching and alteration. See also No. 45. _No. 4. Rotherham. (Fig. 4.) January 27th. 1 injured._ One of five. Plain cylinder, with dished ends, 36ft. long, 4ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 55 lbs. pressure. It had worked about 8 years, and was much patched over the fire end, and had lately been put into what was supposed to be thorough repair. As there was no need of an inquest the wreck was quickly cleared and some of the fragments cut up, but enough particulars were obtained to give some idea of the nature of the explosion. [Illustration: _Fig. 4._] The first rent must have taken place in the bottom seams over the fire, where weakened by frequent repair. _No. 5. Durham. (Fig. 5.) February 2nd. 1 killed, 4 injured._ [Illustration: _Fig. 5._] One of twelve. Plain cylinder, 13 years old, 30ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure. The plates were arranged lengthways, so that the seams were in continuous lines from end to end. This has often been mentioned as giving far less strength than where the plates are placed in rings. There had been considerable repair at various times, and just previous to explosion the boiler had been placed as was supposed in thorough repair, and some new plates had been put over the fireplace. The first rent appears to have taken place where one of these plates joined the old work. The rent quickly extended along a straight seam, and the boiler was blown into three pieces. The explosion was simply caused by the boiler having been weakened by frequent repair until unable to bear the ordinary working pressure. Externally fired boilers, when so frequently patched become treacherous and uncertain, and more especially so when the seams run from end to end. See No. 59. _No. 6. South Wales. February 12th. 2 injured._ This was a colliery boiler. Very few particulars were obtained. The roof of the engine house was blown off, the boiler was torn from its fittings and turned right round, and knocked down three walls and fell in an upright position. _No. 7. Cornwall. (Fig. 6.) February 15th. none injured._ [Illustration: _Fig. 6._]