1910 — Dec 29, Boiler explosion, Morewood Lake Ice Company, south of Pittsfield, MA–17

–17  Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible…” 1-28-1911, p. 1.

–17  North Adams Transcript, MA. “Day of Funerals at Pittsfield.” 12-31-1910, p. 1.[1]

–17  North Adams Transcript. “Inspectors Investigate to Place Responsibility.” 12-30-1910, p1.[2]

–17  North Adams Transcript, MA. “Testimony At Inquest.” 1-3-1911, p. 1.

 

Narrative Information

 

Dec 29: “Thirteen were killed and upwards of 25 injured this morning about 9:30 o’clock when the boiler of the Morewood Lake Ice company at Morewood lake outside of Pittsfield, exploded with a roar which shook the countryside for miles around. Two of the injured will died. Three of the dead have not yet been identified. Fifteen of the injured are in the hospitals. Others were taken to their homes. Everett Lesure, formerly of this city, and George Shand, formerly of Adams, are owners of the company.

List of Dead

 

“The known dead:  [We number, rearrange alphabetically, and insert deaths of injured.]

 

  1. Edgar D. Allen, 28, ice man. [Listed as driver in next day’s Transcript.]
  2. [George][3] Alfred [or Albert][4] Bence, 23, laborer.[5]
  3. [Alfred[6] Boucar, laborer, died 5:30 a.m. Dec 30 at House of Mercy.]
  4. William Dunn, 57 [or 61],[7]
  5. Elmer E. Eldredge, laborer.
  6. James Galliggo [Joseph Gallego],[8]
  7. Obelino Gallego, laborer.
  8. [Arelino {Faurtino}[9] Gomez; body identified Dec 30 .][10] [Abelino Gallego][11]
  9. George Hotaling [Houghtaling],[12]
  10. James McNally [McNalus],[13] [McNallus][14]
  11. [Wyatt Moore, 30, laborer. North Adams Transcript, 12-30-1910, p. 1.]
  12. William [Arthur][15] Pepoon, laborer (died on way to House of Mercy).
  13. John Raymond, 48, carpenter.
  14. Frederick N. Ruther [Routher], 25, laborer.
  15. Martin F. Smith, laborer.
  16. Leo Termandez, laborer. [Leopold Fernandes][16]
  17. George L. Ward, fireman.

 

“All of the bodies were frightfully mangled but only two were found outside the building. The body of Leo Termandez was picked up in a bran sack 20 feet away from the boiler house and the body of Edgar Allen was found…lying about 25 feet away….Pieces of the boiler weighing 200 or 300 pounds were found scattered over an area of 500 yards. One piece weighing 300 pounds was hurled with such force that it cut down a tree nine inches in diameter. Windows were shattered in houses a mile away.

 

“The cause of the explosion may never be known but as near as could be ascertained this afternoon, it was due to the failure of the safety valve to work. The boiler was inspected last summer, it is said, and at that time was pronounced fit for use. It is understood that it had not been used since that time, to any great extent. It has been estimated that there was a pressure of 130 pounds on the boiler although the steam gauge registered but 35 pounds. The boiler was of 50-horse power and the engine which was used to haul ice into the ice stack was a 35-horse power machine.

 

“The Morewood Lake Ice company’s plant is situated on the shore of Morewood lake two miles outside of Pittsfield. The plant is a quarter of a mile from the nearest telephone. After the explosion occurred it was necessary for one man to run all that distance to summon help and meanwhile the injured lay helpless. The noise of the explosion ws heard in Pittsfield and men had started to investigate it as to the cause.

 

“All the ambulances in the city were sent to the place as soon as the news of the disaster was received and then the police patrol wagon followed and later the available wagons of the fire department were sent to ring the dead and wounded to the city. There were five wagon loads of the injured and three wagon loads of bodies….

 

“It was the first day of the ice harvesting season and the men were standing abut the boiler house, while inside there were as many as could comfortably stand. Fireman Ward was assisting Engineer Dunn in getting the boiler and engine limbered up for the work before them. There was no warning. The boiler blew up carrying the side of the building with it. Men who were leaning against the building on that side were killed, and of those who were standing on front of the boiler, only fragments have been found.

 

“The dead and injured all lived in the vicinity of the plant and soon there was a wailing group of women and children about the place….Priests were hurried to the place where they administered the last rites of the Catholic church to some of the injured, and to non-Catholics they administered consolation.

 

“Thousands visited the place after the explosion. Some were the morbidly curious, others were those who believed they had relatives who were working there. Some were souvenir hunters who carried away bits of the debris and clothing of the victims but all were willing to aid the  searching party engaged in the grim work of collecting the various parts of the bodies of the victims.

 

“The city almoner[17] was immediately notified and he took steps to care for the families of those who were killed and who were liable to come to want. The state officials were notified and have already begun an investigation of the explosion. The city council held a special meeting this afternoon to take steps to alleviate as much as possible the sufferings of the bereaved families. It is probable that a relief fund will be started.

 

“It is like a story of an explosion of the old tunnel days when scores of lives were snuffed ut by a single explosion, but never in all Berkshire’s history has there been an occurrence more appalling in its details than that of today.” (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Fifteen Are Dead Twenty-Five Hurt.” 12-29-1910, p. 1.)

 

Dec 30: “The results of the boiler explosion yesterday at the ice plant of the Morewood Lake Ice Company in which 12 men were instantly killed and 12 more injured, several of whom have since died, grow more appalling each hour, and from the hospitals come reports that more of the injured are liable to die. The list of dead is now 17.

 

“An inquest into the deaths of the victims will be held next Tuesday morning [Jan 3]. It was learned today that William Dunn, the engineer who was killed in the explosion had a presentiment of danger when he went to work. It is said that he told his son that he did not consider that the boiler was if fit condition to run and he would ‘give a good deal if the day’s work was over his head.’

 

“The investigation by the state inspectors of boilers has been in progress all day and is not completed. Chief Inspector J. H. McNeil said that northing would be made public with regard to the investigation except in the official report to be filed later.

 

“There is great distress among the destitute families of the dead men, although this is being alleviated by the efforts of the relief committee appointed yesterday by Mayor William H. MacInnis. A large fund has already been subscribed and more is coming in and this is being used where it will do the most good. The subscription for the families of the dead and injured amounted to $3806 this afternoon…. [“List of Dead” and “The Injured” omitted here.]

 

Criticize Methods of Inspection

 

“A special meeting of the Pittsfield city council was held yesterday. There was a general discussion on having all boilers in the city inspected, which brought out a very sharp criticism from Alderman Gallon on the work performed by the boiler inspectors of the state. He said the inspectors seemed to consider it their duty to protect the owner of the boiler rather than the men who are in danger of injury or death. Should an engineer report to the boiler inspectors that the boiler he was running appeared to be in a weakened condition, the owner of the boiler would be notified of the action of the engineer, which in many instances resulted in the discharge of the engineer.

 

“Councilman Noble, who for five years operated the boiler which exploded yesterday morning said that it was bought as a second-hand boiler by the Morewood Lake ice company six years ago and that for five years he operated it. The boiler was inspected some time after it was installed and he was ordered to set the safety valve at 60 pounds. A weak part in the boiler was pointed out to him. Some time later, he said, he hot permission from the inspector raise the pressure to 70 pounds. In his opinion there must have been 120 pounds’ pressure on when the boiler exploded yesterday morning, as any less pressure, he said would not have been sufficient to heave a piece of iron weighing nearly 500 pounds 200 feet. He believed that the safety valve did not work.

 

“Councilman Colt, who has had considerable experience with boilers, stated that he had been at the scene of the accident and it was his impression that the boiler was in such a rotten condition that it simple went all to pieces. He said he saw the safety valve, and in his opinion it was in good working order.

 

“The question was raised as to what right the city had to make any ordinances that would interfere with the work of the state inspectors, and Mayor MacInnis and City Solicitor Warner were empowered to look up the statutes bearing on this matter and report their findings to the next city council….

 

“James H. McNeil, chief of the boiler inspectors, arrived in Pittsfield last evening at 6:30 and with him were F. C. Hinckley of Boston, F. H. Sanborn of Springfield, A. F. Lovering of North Hampton, all members of the boiler inspecting force. Franklin L. Forbush of this city, the boiler inspector for the Berkshire district, met them and after a short consultation it was decided that nothing would be done on the investigation last night. This morning all five of the inspectors went to the scene of the accident and made a most thorough inspection of the rooms and the boilers….

 

“Asked as to the boiler, Messrs. Lesure and Shand [ice co. owners] who were together stated the boiler was inspected by F. L. Forbush the boiler inspector located in this city [North Adams] on March 10th, 1910, after the close of the last harvest. Neither Shand nor Lesure know anything about a boiler according to their own statements. They said the Wednesday William Dunn who was the engineer for the company last year had trouble with the steam gauge of the boiler and at his request the steam gauge was taken to the Robbins Gamwell Co., shop and was tested out and was ‘OKed.’ Mr. Dunn had said that he could not understand why the boiler should blow off steam at 30 to 35 pounds pressure when such should not occur until the pressure was 50 to 60 pounds. ‘We had a new safety valve placed on the boiler according to the directions of Inspector Forbush and also had the fire box fixed up inside and outside as he directed. Every direction which he gave relative to the boiler we followed out.’….

 

“One of the best known hydraulic engineers in Berkshire county made an examination of the safety valve this morning and said that it was apparently in perfect condition. ‘It looks to me as if it was a rotten boiler,’ said the engineer.

 

“When the accident occurred men were busy pumping water into the boiler by hand, some trouble having been experienced with the regular pump or injector. The safety plug was not melted and the big safety valve was new, so new that it had the appearance of never having seen use. It had been on only 24 hours….” (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Inspectors Investigate to Place Responsibility…Dead Number Seventeen.” 12-30-1910, pp. 1 and 3.)

 

Dec 31: “The funerals of 13 victims of the boiler explosion at the Morewood Lake Ice company’s plant in Pittsfield last Thursday were held in Pittsfield today. Two funerals were held yesterday afternoon and two will be held tomorrow. Of those who are still in the hospital, Michael T. Kenney and Myron Burr are in critical condition, Burr being the worse off of the two. His face is terribly burned, he cannot talk or open his lips, and if he lives he will be badly disfigured. He is also badly hurt about the legs. It is not thought he can rally from the shock of the facial burns. Burr is only 19 years of age and formerly lived in Cheshire.

 

“The funerals of four cousins, all victims of the tragedy, were held together this morning from St. Joseph’s church. They were Joseph Gallego, Leo Termandz, Obelino Gallego and Arelino Gomez, whose body was identified last night. They are all Spanish people.

 

“The total of the subscription fund which is being raised for the aid of the families of the dead men has reached $5,486….

 

“It is probable that the insurance company will pay $5000. Mr. Shand stated that a new boiler and engine would be secured at once, that the damage to the plant would be repaired as soon as possible and that the company would endeavor to resume ice harvesting in about two weeks. This company supplies practically all of the ice consumed in Pittsfield and will harvest approximately 30,000 tons this season….

 

“Thomas F. Myers, mechanical engineer of Worcester, who went to Pittsfield to view the result of the explosion has visited the scene of every boiler explosion in Massachusetts during the last 18 years, and he says he never before saw such a wreck. ‘When I left Pittsfield at 7:20 o’clock there were 16 dead, and all but three of these simply visited the boiler room to get warm or to pass the time of day’ he said. ‘Some of them probably were looking for work.’ ‘Examples of the violence of the explosion were to be seen everywhere. Trees nearby were cut in two. I saw one that was eight inches through its trunk, and beyond that there were three smaller trees that were cut down.’ ‘After looking the premises over as carefully as we could, under the circumstances, I came to the conclusion that it is possible that they put a new safety valve in the boiler in the morning and that it may have fitted too tight, thus holding back the steam until the boiler suddenly gave way.’…. ‘The boiler of the portable locomotive type with flat crown was started up Thursday. The explosion occurred about 9:30 o’clock Thursday morning. The boilers shows every appearance of age. It was made of boiler iron, three eighths of an inch thick, with lap joint beams. It was not insured… The safety valve should be set to blow off at 70 or 80 pounds, but it was impossible to ascertain exactly….The steam, as far as I could learn, showed 35 pounds pressure at the time of the explosion. The exact pressure will never be known, as all the persons in position to know were blown to pieces. I was unable to learn the amount of water the boiler contained. The fusible plug had not melted out. At the time of the accident it was evident they were having difficulty in getting water, for they were pumping it by hand. As far as we could learn the engineer was pumping when the explosion occurred. The tubes and tube-sheet showed no signs of having been burned. The safety valve and steam gauge did not agree from all reports. Several of the men who visited the boiler-room just before the explosion say the safety valve opened when the steam gauge registered 35 pounds pressure, and that it was set for 70 or 80. The explosion may be due to several causes such as lack of water, weakness in the shell or over pressure. The boiler was rated at about 35-horsepower, and was used to convey ice to the ice sheds. The engineer in charge at the time of the explosion, William Dunn of Pittsfield, was blown to pieces, parts of his flesh being found 500 feet away.’

 

“ ‘The boiler was scattered over a large area, the boiler shell being torn in many places. Scarcely a rivet or stay bolt was intact. Plates and tubes were thrown broadcast, and on one of the plates there were bunches of human hair that indicate that it had struck one of the victims. The water leg, fire sheet, shell and tube sheet were twisted and separated into many shapes. The crown sheet was the only plate which was not ruptures. The fusible plug was in fair condition. Inspector Lovering took charge of this plug. The shell plate is very thin in several places, and many of the stay bolts are badly corroded. The fire sheets are very thin, and are pulled away from the stay bolts.’ ” (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Day of Funerals at Pittsfield.” 12-31-1910, p. 1.)

 

Jan 2: “State officials who have been investigating the boiler explosion at Pittsfield Thursday, went to Boston yesterday taking with them a part of the steel jacket of the boiler in order that tests of its strength may be made. The safety valve was tested Saturday and was found to be correctly set and the test showed that it blew off at the indicated pressure of 40 or 80 pounds. Following this test the investigators made tests of the steam gages used by Inspector Forbush, who passed upon the fatal boiler March 10. In order to make the test doubly certain, a second test was made at th works of the Stanley Electrical Company, where the gage of the Pittsfield Electric Company and that of the inspector were again tested.

 

“The inquest will start tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock and some 15 witnesses will be heard. There have been no additional deaths as the result of the explosion. The condition of Myron Burr and Michael Kenney, who are believed to be fatally injured, has shown a slight improvement during the last two days, but their condition is still considered very serious. Five of those who were taken to the hospital for treatment have been discharged. There are still seven there under treatment.” (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Making Tests of Boiler’s Strength.” 1-2-1911, p. 8.)

 

Jan 3: “An inquest into the deaths of 17 men who lost their lives as a result of the blowing up of the boiler in the plant of the Morewood Lake Ice company’s plant in Pittsfield last Thursday was held this morning before Judge Burke of Pittsfield. The testimony was to the effect that considerable trouble was experienced in getting up steam as the gauge failed to register properly. The needle jumped from 82 to 140 and from the conversation of the fireman and engineer, the men who were inside the boiler house just before the explosion testified they thought the engineer considered that the trouble lay with the new safety valve. Several times the valve blew off at 35 and 40 pounds when it should not have blown off until 70 pounds were registered. The inquest was finished this morning.” (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Testimony At Inquest.” 1-3-1911, p. 1.)

 

Jan 4: “Important testimony was given at the inquest in Pittsfield today following the boiler explosion of a week ago. Charles F. Peterson testified that he heard Everett Lesure, a former resident of this city, and a member of the firm of Lesure & Shand, owners of the Morewood Lake Ice company, say to engineer William Dunn: ‘When you get ready to start, turn the valve back.’ This statement appears to corroborate the testimony of Homer Hodge who testified yesterday that he heard M. Lesure tell the engineer to screw the valve down. Mr. Lesure on the stand yesterday denied this statement.

 

“State Inspector Franklin L. Forbush of this city, in charge of the Berkshire district and the inspector who made the inspection last March and ordered certain changes made in the boiler, was a witness this morning. He testified that the Morewood Lake Ice company had violated three of the orders which he had given. ‘I ordered the bushing removed from the pipe so as to permit a full discharge from the valve. This was not done,’ he said. ‘I ordered the safety valve set at 70 pounds. It was set at 80. I ordered that a two-inch valve be used. They got one three and a half inches.’ Inspector Forbush also said that such a sized valve in his opinion was ‘one of the factors in the explosion as when it lifted at the enormous pressure set, it reacted and shocked the metal beyond its elastic strength.’

 

“There were several other witnesses this morning but their testimony brought out no facts of great importance. It was expected that Chief Inspector Joseph O’Neill, who was formerly stationed in this city as an inspector over this district, would testify….

 

“The most important witness at the inquest following the boiler explosion…was Professor Edward F. Miller of Newton Center, professor of steam engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology since 1891. He testified yesterday afternoon. He said that he has charge of all steam and experimental work at the Institute and that he has been called on many cases of this nature. Professor Miller made tests of a section of the exploded boiler which was taken to him Sunday and the greater part of Monday was devoted to the work. The section given him was a little over five feet long and 21 inches wide and was considerably bent by the explosion. He testified in detail to the technicalities of the various tests which he described as the tension, the hot bending, the cold bending and the quench tests. These were made with pieces cut from the plate, some with, and some across the grain. From the tests made, he concluded that the tensile strength of the plate was about what would be expected, but that the metal was brittle. It should be remembered, he said that the metal had been subjected to a great strain which would tend to make it more brittle, as it decreased in ductility.  Asked what pressure would break the plate, Professor Miller figured it out from dimensions given him and estimated that a pressure of 649 pounds would be requires.

 

“This was figuring the tension alone in the shell and did not take into account the crown sheet, which would be very apt to be weaker than the shell. Witness had examined the wreck of the boiler yesterday and judged from the damage wrought that the boiler had plenty of water in it. The more water, he said, the greater the volume of steam. As soon as a boiler begins to let go, he said, that the water flashes into steam as rapidly as powder flashes into gas and that about 10 per cent of the water will become steam in a flash. A pound of steam occupies 26 cubic feet and the force may be imagined. In all of his experience he had never seen a boiler so completely wrecked. He could not state the amount of pressure to which it had been subjected, but it must have been very high.

 

“The witness was told that the valve had blown off at a water pressure of 220 and a steam pressure of 225, and that after that it blew off at a lower pressure, gradually lowering to 210. He said with regard to this that  valve set to blow off at 80 and being screwed down or loaded to 225 pounds would strain the spring and weaken its efficiency, and a new spring would be needed.

 

“Attorney Wright asked the witness a long hypothetical question based on facts as he knew them, but which have not yet been testified to. In answer to this Professor Miller stated that he should say in reply that the boiler exploded from over-pressure. The fact that it went into so many pieces indicated that the boiler was weak generally. He testified that a pressure of 130 pounds was the limit of pressure for the shell. He said there was nothing to indicate that the boiler could not be safely used at a pressure of 70 or 80 pounds, but that he would not want to subject it to more than 100 pounds. He said it is safe to operate a boiler 40 years old if it had been properly cared for, but he had never seen one more than 20 years old in use. A boiler deteriorates very rapidly when not in use. The plates get thinner and the stay bolts become corroded. Under these conditions the pressure must be lowered.

 

“Frederick Trent, who for 15 years has been the engineer for the Pittsfield Electric company, testified to having superintended the tests of the safety valve last Saturday. The valve was piped from the auxiliary steam line and a pressure of 95 pounds as indicated by five different steam gauges, was gradually increased to 155 pounds. At 80 pounds the valve showed a slight vapor at the outlet and this continued during the test. The valve did not blow off at 155 pounds and the test ended there, this being regarded as the limit of safety. The five steam gauges by which the test was recorded included one used by State Inspector Forbush. The others belong to the electric company. They all agreed except the one on the main boiler, which is subjected to a separate pressure from a water pipe and therefore varies a little. Mr. Treat examined the safety valve and said it had the appearance of having been screwed down.

 

“Charles L. Boyce was also a witness. He is the chief engineer at the General Electric plant, and assisted in the tests made upon the safety valve. He said the tests tended to probe that the safety valve had been screwed down to sustain a pressure of 210 pounds.

 

“Homer C. Hodge, a painter, testified that he heard Lesure tell Dunn to screw down the safety valve on Wednesday. At that time he claimed the cap was on the valve, but the next day he noticed it had been removed. Mr. Lesure was recalled and said he had never made any such statement to Dunn. What he told Dunn, he said, was to leave the safety valve alone. Hodge said that some of the men in the boiler house told him the valve had been screwed down, but he could not recall their names. He said he could recognize them if he should see them again, and was asked to notify the police of any such men he saw that they might be summonsed as witnesses.

 

“The requirements of Inspector Forbush with regard to changes in the boiler before issuing a certificate were as follows:

 

Place a new water glass in place of the one now on boiler which is cracked. Provide a 1-4 inch pipe in size connection in location specified by me at the time of inspection. Remove bushing and 2-inch pipe in discharge of safety valve so that safety valve will have a full sized discharge. Thoroughly clear out all bricks and ashes in furnace and keep clear and dry during summer as some are corroding the furnace sheets at the bottom. Also clean ashes from water let of boiler on the outside. After orders have been complied with a certificate of inspection will be issued allowing a pressure not the exceed 70 pounds per square inch.

 

“The changes were made and the certificate issued in November or December.” (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Inspector Says Order Violated By Morewood Lake Ice Company Owner.” 1-4-1911, pp. 5 and 3.)

 

Jan 5: “The inquest into the Pittsfield boiler explosion was closed late yesterday afternoon. As to whether any criminal proceedings will be taken up District Attorney C. T. Callahan and the grand jury must decide. Charles H. Wright, who represented the district attorney’s office, stated that he would submit his report of the district attorney, but he could not tell what action he might take.

 

“William J. Beers, the afternoon’s first witness, gave the day’s most sensational evidence. He declared he had seen George Ward screw down the safety valve at the orders of William Dunn, the engineer. Beers said Ward had given the screw 4½ turns. Patrick Brogan corroborated Beers’ evidence.

 

“S. G. Colt, a Pittsfield manufacturer, said that in his opinion there had been plenty of water in the boiler, judging by the damage done, the building being demolished completely.

 

“Inspector Forbush was recalled to the stand and said that a pressure of 80 pounds would have been sufficient to explode the boiler, providing it had been severely strained before.

 

“Charles E. Chapman, who Beers had said was a witness to Ward’s screwing down the safety valve, was summonsed to the inquest hearing in a hurry by Chief of Police White, but he said he had not seen any such act, although it was possible that it had occurred without his being a witness to it.

 

“Frank C. Hinckley of Boston said that the explosion, in his opinion, was due to the immense pressure on the boiler, because the boiler, when he viewed it, was in more pieces than any he had seen which had figured in an explosion. ‘I was the first one I have seen so completely disrupted,’ he said. He said that the safety valve, being twice as large as was expedient, undoubtedly factored in the awful result.

 

“When he had concluded his evidence Inspector Hinckley asked to be permitted to say something relative to the inspector’s department. He said that, although it seems to be the sentiment of the people of Pittsfield that the state inspectors are lax, such is not the case. On the other hand, only one boiler out of 35,000 inspected by the department during the past 15 years has exploded. This one exploded boiler was the one at the Morewood Lake Ice company’s plant. He said that whatever boilers in the state have exploded were inspected by the insurance companies. These statements Mr. Hinckley made in answer to attacks made upon the state inspection department during the special session of the city council held on the day of the accident to take measures for relief of the victims families.

 

“Joseph H. McNeil, chief of the boiler inspection department, said that the calamity was ‘a high-pressure explosion,’ meaning that the amount of pressure upon the boiler was responsible for the explosion. He testified that after hearing of the accident he searched the records for reference to Dunn and Ward as licensed engineers. He discovered that Ward had not been licensed, although Dunn had. His evidence was chiefly along lines followed by Inspectors Hinckley, Forbush and other experts….” (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Made Four Turns on Safety Valve. Witness Says He Saw Ward Do It. Ward Not Licensed.” 1-5-1911, p. 5.)

 

Jan 12: “Colonel L. A. Pope, state building inspector, was in Pittsfield yesterday and made his monthly inspection of the local theatres and moving picture houses. Asked if anything had been heard regarding the test of the safety valve in Boston, that was in use on the boiler at the time of the explosion at the Morewood lake ice houses, he said that the valve had been tested in Boson where apparatus capable of standing an immense strain was to be had, and the first time it failed to ‘pop’ until a pressure of 225 pounds had been registered beneath it. The second trial forced it to raise to 220 pounds and the third trial raised it at 200 pounds. This showed there was no life in the spring in the valve.

 

“Mr. Pope stated that the belief of the inspectors was that the valve undoubtedly raised at some high pressure before the explosion, and then after some steam had escaped it slammed down again, causing the force thus created to slam back into the boiler and create overheated steam which caused the explosion. Mr. Pope stated that many inspectors and boiler experts who have viewed pieces of the plate stated that they had never seen evidence of such a tremendous force on any boiler that had exploded before in their lives. A number of the experts stated that nearly 500 pounds of compression must have been in back of the explosion, to draw the bolts as it did, and cause the bulging of the plate to such a degree.” (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Spring in Valve Had Lost Its Life.” 1-12-1911, p. 3.)

 

Jan 14: “Senator John H. Mack has introduced two…bills in the Senate….A second bill suggested by the recent boiler explosion at Pittsfield. The proposed act will require that in any manufacturing establishment, mill, workshop or store, where there is a boiler or boilers used for a period of six months or more, application shall be made by the owners to the state boiler inspector for a new inspection, before the boilers are again put into operation. The penalty for violation of the provisions of the act will include fine or imprisonment or both.” (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Two Proposed Bills.” 1-14-1911, p. 5.)

 

Jan 16: “Ice cutting began today at Morewood lake in Pittsfield where the boiler explosion of two weeks ago prevented. An electric motor has been installed for power now.”  (North Adams Transcript, MA. “Local Intelligence.” 1-16-1911, p. 5.)

 

Jan 28: “The Court’s Findings. On the whole evidence submitted Judge Burge makes the following finding: —

 

“That the above mentioned deceased persons [names omitted here] came to their death by reason of the explosion of said boiler. That the explosion of the boiler was due to a pressure of steam greatly in excess of the pressure allowed by the inspection department, and caused by the screwing down of the compression screw on the safety valve. I find that the reason the steam gauge failed to register correctly the pressure of steam was probably due to rust from the pipe underneath it, clogging the stop cock of the steam gauge.

 

“The law was violated in the following respects:

 

“In substituting a new safety valve of larger size and increased pressure for the old one.

 

“In afterwards tampering with the safety valve and thereby greatly increasing the pressure at which it was set when received.

 

“In afterwards tampering with the safety valve and thereby greatly increasing the pressure at which it was set when received.

 

“In not reporting to the state inspector the fault or defect in the safety valve when it failed to work and register properly the pressure of steam, for it would seem that a licensed engineer had reasonable cause to know that the safety of the boiler was affected.

 

“I do not find that the unlawful act of any person now alive contributed to the death of said decedents.

Recommendations

 

“With a view to prevent further accidents occurring from a like cause, I desire to make two recommendations, namely:

 

“That the law be so amended as to require all connections between the steam gauge and the boiler shall be of brass or other metal that does not rust. And that all safety valves on boilers require a licensed engineer to run them, shall be locked and the key kept in the possession only, of the state inspector, of that district in which the boiler is located.

 

“In conclusion it seems fitting and proper to express the appreciation I feel to those whose assistance was so helpful in the investigation involved in this terrible tragedy.

 

“Chief McNiel of the boiler inspection department with Frank C. Hinckley, a member of that department, in every way lent their utmost assistance in the investigation.

 

“Our own Chief White and other members of the police department devoted themselves unstintingly to the work, and many good citizens greatly assisted.

 

“The district attorney was represented by Charles H. Wright, Esquire, whose services were of the greatest importance in procuring and placing before the court the evidence necessary for a clear understanding of the matter….

 

Findings of Fact

 

“….On December 21, Mr. Dunn, acting upon the general authority given him by Mr. Shand, had ordered a pop safety valve, but he ordered one that would blow off at 80 pounds instead of 70 and of a size 3½ inches in diameter. This safety valve, an inch larger than the old safety valve, seems to have been ordered without consultation with any one. Before the valve was sent from the shop it tested to blow off at 80 pounds….

 

“I am of the opinion that when the report of November 17th was made to the state inspector, that Mr. Dunn had complied with the inspector’s directions, for the old safety valve when found after the accident, had not the bushing in it, nor had it attached to it the pipe which conveyed the steam out of the boiler house. But I do not understand why he should in little more than a month after making a report or causing it to be made, replace the old safety valve with a new one without communicating with the state inspector or at least with some one.

 

“I should suppose that the sense of danger would have deterred him from screwing down or ordering to be screwed down the compression screw of the safety valve. I do not understand why when the steam was blowing off through the safety valve on Wednesday, the day before the accident that he did not realize from the sound that there was very much more than 35 or 40 pounds of steam on; nor why he did not realize the great pressure to which the boiler was being subjected on Thursday morning as indicated by the effect when th blower was used, and the hot fire that was being kept up.

 

“Furthermore it would seem, even if Mr. Dunn was oblivious to it, that Mr. Ward, his assistant would have awakened to the fact from some of these indications that the pressure was becoming very great. But they both seemed to trust implicitly to the steam gauge although by the way it worked it gave unmistakable evidence that it was not to be trusted, and neither apparently sensible in the slightest degree to impending danger….” (Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible For Seventeen Deaths…Morewood Disaster.” 1-28-1911, p1.)

 

Sources

 

Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible For Seventeen Deaths in the Morewood Disaster.” 1-28-1911, p. 1. Accessed 1-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pittsfield-berkshire-evening-eagle-jan-28-1911-p-1/

 

Boston Sunday Post, MA. “Events That Have Made 1910 Illustrious in History.” 1-1-1911, p. 44. Accessed 12-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-sunday-post-jan-01-1911-p-40/

 

North Adams Transcript, MA. “Day of Funerals at Pittsfield.” 12-31-1910, p. 1. Accessed 12-31-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-dec-31-1910-p-1/

 

North Adams Transcript, MA. “Fifteen Are Dead Twenty-Five Hurt.” 12-29-1910, p. 1. Accessed 12-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-dec-29-1910-p-1/

 

North Adams Transcript, MA. “Inspector Says Order Violated By Morewood Lake Ice Company Owner.” 1-4-1911, p. 5. Accessed 12-31-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-jan-04-1911-p-5/

 

North Adams Transcript, MA. “Inspectors Investigate to Place Responsibility…Dead Number Seventeen.” 12-30-1910, pp. 1 and 3. Accessed 12-31-2018 at:

 

North Adams Transcript, MA. “Local Intelligence.” 1-16-1911, p. 5. Accessed 1-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-jan-16-1911-p-5/

 

North Adams Transcript, MA. “Made Four Turns on Safety Valve. Witness Says He Saw Ward Do It. Ward Not Licensed.” 1-5-1911, p. 5. Accessed 12-31-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-jan-05-1911-p-5/

 

North Adams Transcript, MA. “Making Tests of Boiler’s Strength.” 1-2-1911, p. 8. Accessed 12-31-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-jan-02-1911-p-8/

 

North Adams Transcript, MA. “Two Proposed Bills.” 1-14-1911, p. 5. Accessed 12-31-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-jan-14-1911-p-5/

 

 

[1] Our number based on: “The funerals of 13 victims of the boiler explosion at the Morewood Lake Ice company’s plant…were held in Pittsfield today. Two funerals were held yesterday afternoon and two will be held tomorrow.

[2] The paper notes 17 dead in subtitle, but names 16 victims in “List of Dead.”

[3] North Adams Transcript. “Inspectors Investigate to Place Responsibility.” 12-30-1910, p. 3.

[4] Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible For Seventeen Deaths…” 1-28-1911, p. 1.

[5] 29th was his first day of work. North Adams Transcript. “Inspectors Investigate….” 12-30-1910, p. 3.

[6] Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible For Seventeen Deaths…” 1-28-1911, p. 1.

[7] North Adams Transcript. “Inspectors Investigate to Place Responsibility.” 12-30-1910, p. 1.

[8] North Adams Transcript. “Inspectors Investigate to Place Responsibility.” 12-30-1910, p. 1.

[9] Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible For Seventeen Deaths…” 1-28-1911, p. 1.

[10] North Adams Transcript, MA. “Day of Funerals at Pittsfield.” 12-31-1910, p. 1.

[11] Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible For Seventeen Deaths…” 1-28-1911, p. 1.

[12] North Adams Transcript. “Inspectors Investigate to Place Responsibility.” 12-30-1910, p. 1.

[13] North Adams Transcript. “Inspectors Investigate to Place Responsibility.” 12-30-1910, p. 1.

[14] Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible For Seventeen Deaths…” 1-28-1911, p. 1.

[15] Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible For Seventeen Deaths…” 1-28-1911, p. 1.

[16] Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “No One Living Responsible For Seventeen Deaths…” 1-28-1911, p. 1.

[17] An official distributor of alms (generally money or food for the needy).