The frequent repair had reduced the strength until unequal to bear the ordinary pressure. See No. 59. _No. 45. Greatbridge. (Fig. 34.) October 18th. 2 killed, 2 injured._ [Illustration: _Fig. 34._] One of eight, 15 years old. Plain Cylinder, 40ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 1/2 inch plates. The boiler had originally carried 60 lbs., but lately only 40 lbs. The boiler had been worked very hard, and had been so often repaired, that many of the seams were continuous for a long distance without break of joint, so that its strength was reduced until unable to bear the ordinary pressure. The treacherousness and uncertainty of boilers with one patch over another has often been pointed out, as in Nos. 3, 4, 10, and 32. _No. 46. Acorington. (Fig. 35.) October 19th. 2 killed, 3 injured._ [Illustration: _Fig. 35._] One tube Cornish, 14ft. 6in. long, 5ft. diameter. Tube 2ft. 10in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure usually, and sometimes 60 lbs. One ring of plates was blown out of shell. The boiler was so very badly corroded at the bottom, that the edges of the rent were quite sharp like a knife, and the boiler was therefore unable to bear the usual working pressure. The flues were too narrow to enter for proper inspection, and the bearing surfaces were too wide and retained moisture against the plates. _No. 47. Lydney. (Fig. 36.) October 28th. 1 killed._ [Illustration: _Fig. 36._] One of four. Plain Cylinder with round front and flat back end, 36ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 20 lbs. pressure. The flat end was blown out, the rent extending all round the angle iron. There had originally been a breeches tube in the boiler with a strong stay to the front end, but when this was taken out no stays were put to the flat end to compensate for the loss of their support. The angle iron attaching the flat end was made in four pieces instead of being welded, and it was reduced to 3/16 inch thick by external corrosion, so that it was not strong enough to bear the ordinary working pressure. The extreme imprudence of altering boilers without due care to preserve their strength has been often pointed out. See Nos. 21 and 43. _No. 48. Newcastle. (Fig. 37.) October 29th. none injured._ [Illustration: _Fig. 37._] One of six. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 40ft. long, 5ft. 3in. diameter, 40 lbs. pressure. The boiler gave way at the fire end, and divided in two, and both pieces were blown to a great distance. The boiler was old and had been much repaired, and the seams running from end to end made it very weak, but the immediate cause of the rupture was supposed to be shortness of water and consequent overheating of the plates. See No. 59. _No. 49. Stockport. October 30th. 1 killed._ [Illustration: _Fig. 38._] One of eight. Two tube Cornish, 30ft. long, 7ft. 4in. diameter. Tube 2ft. 11in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure.