Bursting of a steam boiler

BURSTING OF A STEAM BOILER. - An accident occurred from the bursting of a steam boiler at the works in progress at the new Custom-house, Liverpool. A new engine of five horses' power had been erected for the purpose of hoisting and lowering the stones into their places. Several of the men in the works were assembled in the engine-house to try the strength of the new boiler, but they forgot to place the weight on the balance; and whilst they were standing round, thinking that the steam was not at its height, the boiler exploded, and blew up the whole building. One of the bystanders, the overlooker of the labourers in the works, was blown at least thirty yards from the spot, and killed instantaneously. Two other men were hurt, but not dangerously. One of them was taken to the infirmary. Such was the force of the explosion, that the bricks and other fragments of the building were forced up Pool-lane as far as King-street, a distance of about eighty yards, and on each side as far as Trafford-street and South John-street. The streets were covered with the ruins, and a great many windows in the neighbouring shops and warehouses were broken by them.