List of boiler explosions

This article contains a list of steam boiler explosions such as railway locomotive, marine transport (military and civilian), and stationary power.

Events
EventDateTypeNationCity/LocaleKilledInjuredMissing
Savery Explosion[1]1716Industrial United Kingdom1
Brunton's Mechanical Traveller[2]July 31, 1815Locomotive United KingdomPhiladelphia, Tyne and Wear16
The Washington[3]1816Marine (Civilian) United StatesMarietta, Ohio125
The Aetna[3]May 15, 1824Marine (Civilian) United StatesNew York City, New York1040
Stockton and Darlington Railway No. 2[4] or No.5[2]March 19, 1828Locomotive United KingdomSimpasture, near Shildon11
Stockton and Darlington Railway No. 1 Locomotion[2]July 1, 1828Locomotive United KingdomAycliffe Lane1
Best Friend of Charleston[5]June 17, 1831Locomotive United StatesCharleston, South Carolina13
Locomotive under test[6]November 1834Locomotive United StatesBaltimore, on Baltimore and Ohio Railroad1
Liverpool and Manchester Railway No. 33 Patentee[7]November 12, 1834Locomotive United KingdomWhiston Bank
PS Union[8][9][10]1837Marine (Civilian) United KingdomHull2020
SS Moselle (riverboat)[11]April 28, 1838Marine (Civilian) United StatesCincinnati, Ohio811355
SS PulaskiJune 14, 1838Marine (Civilian) United StatesCape Hatteras, North Carolina128
Harlem Railroad[12]July 4, 1839Locomotive United States14th Street, New York City25
Surprise[13][2]November 10, 1840Locomotive United KingdomBromsgrove2?
SS Henry EckfordApril 27, 1841Marine (Civilian) United StatesNew York City, New York12
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Richmond[14]September 2, 1844Locomotive United StatesReading, Pennsylvania4
London and North Western Railway 122 Goliah[15]1847Locomotive United Kingdom
Great Western Railway Goliah[16]June 29, 1849Locomotive United KingdomPlympton, foot of Hemerdon Bank1
London and North Western Railway 401 [17]1850Locomotive United KingdomLongsight
Firth Woollen Mill[18]1850Industrial United KingdomHalifax, West Yorkshire12[19]17
The Hague Street Explosion[20]February 4, 1850Industrial United StatesNew York City, New York6750
Midland Railway 363 (ex Bristol and Gloucester Railway 7 Wickwar) [21]January 8, 1853Locomotive United KingdomClay Hill, Bristol
Erie Railroad [22]June 16, 1853Locomotive United StatesSusquehanna, Pennsylvania5
SS CanemahAugust 8, 1853Marine (Civilian) United StatesChampoeg, Oregon1
SS ShoalwaterMay 1853Marine (Civilian) United StatesRock Island, Oregon
SS GazelleApril 8, 1854Marine (Civilian) United StatesOregon City, Oregon24many
Fieldhouse Mills[23]July 15, 1855Industrial United KingdomRochdale, Greater Manchester1013
Georgiana[24]November 23, 1855Marine (Civilian) United StatesPetaluma, California120
SS PennsylvaniaJune 13, 1858Marine (Civilian) United StatesMemphis, Tennessee250
London and North Western Railway 249[25]July 4, 1861Locomotive United KingdomRugby, Warwickshire1
Erie Railroad [22]October 25, 1862Locomotive United StatesJersey City docks5
Great Western Railway Perseus[26]November 1862Locomotive United KingdomWestbourne Park shed
Hembrigg Mills[27]June 27, 1863Industrial United KingdomMorley, West Yorkshire9
SS Ada HancockApril 23, 1863Marine (Civilian) United StatesSan Pedro Bay, California2623
Tugboat GreenwoodJune 15, 1863Marine (Civilian) United StatesBarrytown, New York733
Calcutta Explosion1863 IndiaKolkata, West Bengal
Merrick Sons, Southwark FoundryApril 6, 1864Industrial United StatesPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania713
USS ChenangoApril 15, 1864Marine (Military) United StatesNew York City New York286
Midland Railway 356[26]May 5, 1864Locomotive United KingdomColne, Lancashire12
Great Northern 138[28]May 5, 1864Locomotive United KingdomMetropolitan Railway's Bishop's Road station (now Paddington)
? 108[29]1864Locomotive United KingdomLeominster, Shrewsbury and Hereford Joint Railway
New York Central Railroad [22]June 18, 1864Locomotive United StatesSyracuse, New York3
USS TulipNovember 11, 1864Marine (Military) United StatesPotomac River, Maryland49
SultanaApril 27, 1865Marine (Civilian) United StatesMemphis, Tennessee1800
Spa Well Mill, Elland[30]December 15, 1873Industrial United KingdomElland, nr Huddersfield,34
Town & Son Factory[31]June 9, 1869Industrial United KingdomBingley, West Yorkshire15
SS SenatorMay 6, 1875Marine (Civilian) United StatesPortland, Oregon
HMS ThundererJuly 14, 1876Marine (Military) United KingdomPortsmouth Harbour4570
Boston Stamping Company, under Seavey & Co.April 6, 1878Industrial United StatesEast Cambridge, Massachusetts36
Railway ExplosionDecember 21, 1881Locomotive AustraliaNew South Wales
Queensland Railways1890Locomotive AustraliaQueensland
North East Dundas TramwayJune 18, 1892Locomotive AustraliaTasmania
Annie FaxonApril 14, 1893Marine (Civilian) United StatesColumbia River8
ZeehanMay 1, 1899Locomotive AustraliaTasmania
Great Eastern Railway No. 522[32]September 25, 1900Locomotive United KingdomWesterfield, Suffolk22
Grover Shoe Factory disasterMarch 20, 1905Industrial United StatesBrockton, Massachusetts58150
HMS ImplacableJuly 12, 1905Marine (Military) United Kingdom2
USS BenningtonJuly 21, 1905Marine (Military) United StatesSan Diego, California66
HMS ImplacableAugust 16, 1906Marine (Military) United Kingdom2
Hemingway Paint & Colour Manufacturers boiler explosion[33]August 23, 1907Industrial United KingdomMillwall, London2
Central of Georgia RailwayOctober 12, 1907Locomotive United StatesReynolds, Georgia220
Rhymney Railway 97[34]1909Locomotive United KingdomRhymney Railway's Cardiff shed33
SS Sarah DixonJanuary 18, 1912Marine (Civilian) United StatesKalama, Washington3
Southern Pacific Roundhouse[35]March 18, 1912Locomotive United StatesSan Antonio, Texas26
Rumney ShedApril 21, 1912Locomotive United KingdomCardiff, Wales
SS City of Liverpool[36]February 24, 1913Marine (Civilian) United KingdomManchester Ship Canal, Nr Runcorn1
SS James T. Staples[37][38]January 10, 1913Marine (Civilian) United StatesBladon Springs, Alabama2621
Destroyer IkazuchiOctober 9, 1913Marine (Military) JapanOminato
Southern Pacific 4037[39] February 14, 1914 Locomotive  United States SP's San Joaquin Division
Maine Central Railroad [40]1915Locomotive United StatesAyers Junction
Medina-Salamanca Railway No.2[41]January 10, 1918Locomotive SpainMedina del Campo, VA15150
London and North Western Railway 132[42]November 11, 1921Locomotive United KingdomBuxton, Derbyshire21
Southern Pacific 4017[39] September 12, 1929 Locomotive  United States
LMS 6399 FuryFebruary 10, 1930Locomotive United Kingdom1
Southern Pacific 4402[43] December 25, 1931 Locomotive  United States near Richvale, California
Elkhorn Piney Coal CompanyJanuary 27, 1934Locomotive United StatesPowellton, West Virginia16
Deutsche Reichsbahn 02 101April 3, 1939Locomotive Germany
Southern Pacific 4199[39] May 3, 1941 Locomotive  United States Cooper, California 4
Canadian National 242August 9, 1941Locomotive CanadaMontreal, Quebec11
Pennsylvania Railroad 520November 14, 1942Locomotive United StatesCresson, Pennsylvania24
SS Cascades1943Marine (Civilian) United StatesPortland, Oregon
New York Central Railroad J-3a No. 5450 while hauling the 20th Century Limited[22][44]September 7, 1943Locomotive United StatesCanastota, New York3
USATC S160 Class1943, 1944Locomotive United Kingdom
Great Northern 2581[45]January 9, 1947Locomotive United StatesCrary, North Dakota??
RL Smith Lumber Company 91[46]February 14, 1948locomotive United StatesCanby, California22
Union Pacific 9018[47]October 20, 1948Locomotive United States1.97 miles east of Upland, Kansas3
Deutsche Reichsbahn 95 6679May 4, 1951Locomotive East GermanyMeiningen Steam Locomotive Works11
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway 1642[48]June 9, 1953Locomotive United StatesHinton, West Virginia3
British RailwaysJanuary 24, 1962Locomotive United KingdomBletchley, Buckinghamshire02
New York Telephone Company building explosion[49]October 3, 1962Stationary power United StatesNew York City, New York2394
USS BasiloneFebruary 5, 1973Marine (Military) United States7
Deutsche Reichsbahn 01 1516November 27, 1977Locomotive East GermanyBitterfeld railway station945
Gettysburg Railroad 1278[50]June 16, 1995Locomotive United StatesGardners, Pennsylvania2
USS WillametteJune 29, 1995Marine (Military) United States07
Medina County Fair Ground [51][52][53]July 29, 2001Antique Steam Tractor United StatesMedina County5~40
SS NorwayMay 25, 2003Marine (Civilian) United StatesMiami, Florida817
Orewa College[54]June 24, 2009Industrial New ZealandOrewa, Auckland11
Loy-Lange Box Company[55][56]April 3, 2017Industrial United StatesSt. Louis, Missouri43

-SS Helen McGregor, Boiler Explosion, Memphis, TN, February 1830.

-Staten Island Ferry, Westfield II, FT boiler explosion: July 30, 1871.

-Givaudan Corporation, Delawanna Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey: Portable Fire Tube Boiler Explosion (1990s)

-Ford's River Rouge Plant, Dearborn, Michigan, Gas Boiler explosion, 6 killed 2/1/1999.

-St Mary's Hospital, Pennington Avenue, Passaic, New Jersey: Cleaver Brooks boiler Explosion 7/15/2006.

-Dana Corporation, Paris Tennessee, 400 Hp fire-tube boiler explosion 6/19/2007

Key safety developments
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
YearEvent/ActivityTypeNationDescription
1847Institution of Mechanical EngineersTechnical Society United KingdomIMechE formed, emphasizing the importance of specialized mechanical knowledge, particularly with respect to steam power (i.e., see also Institution of Civil Engineers)
1855Steam Users' Association[57]Technical Society United KingdomIn Manchester, the "Association for the Prevention of Steam Boiler Explosions, and for effecting Economy in the Raising and Use of Steam" is formed and, eschewing direct regulation, advocates creation of trained inspectors.[58] Later adds the prefix "Manchester Steam Users' ..." to the name.
1855Ramsbottom Safety ValveSafety valve United KingdomJohn Ramsbottom (engineer) invented a tamperproof safety valve.
1864Bengal Act VI of 1864[59]Legislation IndiaProvided for the inspection of steam boilers in and around Kolkatta
1866The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance CompanyCommercial United StatesThe first boiler insurance company in the U.S. is established in Hartford, CT[60]
1866Gesellschaft zur Überwachung und Versicherung von DampfkesselnTechnical Society GermanyIn response to a brewery explosion, a private society is founded to offer boiler inspections to its members. It is highly successful and later becomes the modern TÜV.
1880American Society of Mechanical EngineersTechnical Society United StatesASME formed, largely in response to calls for improvements in boiler safety
1882Boiler Explosions Act, 1882[61]Legislation United KingdomRequired notice of a boiler explosion to be sent to the Board of Trade within 24 hours of occurrence and established inquiry authorizations
1884ASME Boiler Testing CodeSafety Standard United StatesThe "Code for the Conduct of Trials of Steam Boilers", the first U.S. code for conducting boiler tests, is issued
1890Boiler Explosions Act, 1890[62]Legislation United KingdomExtended 1882 requirements to marine vessels
1911Uniform Boiler Rules, Massachusetts[63]Legislation United StatesThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopts uniform boiler rules, the first statewide boiler code to apply in the U.S. Equivalent rules are quickly adopted by other states (e.g., Ohio)
1915ASME Boiler Code[64]Safety Standard United StatesThe ASME Boiler Code Committee issues "Standards for Specifications and Construction of Boilers and Other Containing Vessels in Which High Pressure is Contained"


-1887 Robert Henry Thurston's book Steam Boiler Explosions in Theory, and in Practice is published

References
  1. Le Van, William Barnet (1892). Safety-Valves: Their History, Antecedents, Invention and Calculation. New York: Norman W. Henley & Co. pp. 134–135. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  2. Hewison 1983, p. 26.
  3. Grohman, Adam M. (April 2011). "Sentinels and Saviors of the Sea" (PDF). Boating World U. S. Coast Guard Series. River & Sound Publishing of NY, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-27. Retrieved 2011-09-02.
  4. Baxter 1986, p. 65.
  5. Shaw 1978, p. 16.
  6. Shaw 1978, pp. 46–47.
  7. Baxter 1978, p. 13.
  8. Schroder, Henry (1851), "Explosion of a Steam Packet Boiler at Hull", The annals of Yorkshire from the earliest period to the present time, 1, Crosby & Co., Leeds, pp. 303–4
  9. "Abstract of the evidence at the inquest relating to the explosion of the boiler of the "Union" steam packet at Hull", The Mechanics' magazine, museum, register, journal, and gazette, 27, W.A. Robertson, London, 1837, pp. 189–192
  10. Timperley, J.; Cubitt, W.; MacNeill, J.; Buddle, J.; Field, J. (1838). "On the Explosion of One of the Boilers of the Union Steam Packet, at Hull. (Includes Discussion)". Minutes of the Proceedings. 1 (1838): 41. doi:10.1680/imotp.1838.24811.
  11. Lloyds Steamboat Disasters
  12. Shaw 1978, p. 47.
  13. Rolt 1982, p. 69.
  14. Shaw 1978, pp. 47–48.
  15. Baxter 1978, p. 16.
  16. Rolt 1982, pp. 69–70.
  17. Baxter 1978, p. 22.
  18. "Boiler Explosion at Halifax". The Mechanics' Magazine. LIII (1428): 488–489. 21 December 1850. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  19. Leeds Intelligencer 22 March 1851
  20. Common Council, New York, NY (1850). Report of the Special Committee: Catastrophe In Hague Street. New York: McSpedon & Baker. Retrieved 2009-06-13.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Also see: Little, George P. (1860). The Fireman's Own Book, Chapter: Explosion and Fire in Hague Street. pp. 259–277. Retrieved 2009-06-13. "The Dreadful Explosion in New York". The Friend: A Religious and Literary Journal: 176. February 16, 1850. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  21. Baxter 1982, p. 27.
  22. Shaw 1978, p. 48.
  23. Dodsley, James (1855). The Annual Register, Entry for July 15, 1854: Terrific Boiler Explosion At Rochdale. London: F. & J. Rivington. p. 112. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  24. Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 10, Number 1456, 24 November 1855 p.2, col.5
  25. Rolt 1982, p. 71.
  26. Rolt 1982, p. 72.
  27. William, Smith (1866). Rambles about Morley. London: John Russell Smith. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  28. Rolt 1982, pp. 72–73.
  29. Rolt 1982, p. 73.
  30. Huddersfield Chronicle, 17 Dec 1873, p4, printed in Huddersfield, England
  31. Burke, Edmund (1869). The Annual Register, Entry for June 9, 1869. p. 55. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  32. Lt.-Col. P G von Donop, R.E. (November 13, 1900). (PDF) http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BoT_Westerfield1900.pdf. Retrieved 15 July 2017. Missing or empty |title= (help)}
  33. Lincolnshire Echo, 24 Aug 1907, p4, col3, printed in Lincoln, England
  34. Rolt 1982, pp. 74–75.
  35. "THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE EXPLOSION". colfa.utsa.edu. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  36. Directors minutes of North Lonsdale Ironworls Co, BDB47 box 16 at CRO, Barrow
  37. Ward, Rufus (2010). The Tombigbee River Steamboats: Rollodores, Dead heads, and Side-wheelers. Charleston, South Carolina: History Press. pp. 129, 169. ISBN 978-1-59629-285-7.
  38. James V. Swift (May 14, 2001). "This Southern Steamboat Had A Tragic Ending" (PDF). Waterways Journal. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  39. Reed, Brian (1972). Loco Profile 28: S.P. Cab-in-Fronts. Windsor, Berkshire: Profile Publications Ltd. p. 95.
  40. Shaw 1978, p. 49.
  41. «La Horrorosa Catástrofe de Medina (The terrible disaster of Medina)», article in El Adelanto de Salamanca (The Forward of Salamanca), 11-01-1918, page 2. Ministry of Culture of Spain historic newspaper server.
  42. "Accident at Buxton on 11th November 1921". Railways Archive. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  43. Reed, Brian. Loco Profile 20: The American 4-8-4. Windor, Berkshire: Profile Publications Ltd.
  44. Morgan, David P. (April 1988). "The Greatest Century of all: New York Central's 1938 20th Century Limited". Model Railroader. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing: 81.
  45. Keyes, Norman C., Jr; Middleton, Kenneth R. (Autumn 1980). "The Great Northern Railway Company:All-Time Locomotive Roster, 1861-1970". Railroad History. Boston: The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, Inc. (143).
  46. "Foothill Rails Rosters P-Q-R".
  47. Kratville, William W.; Bush, John E. (1995). The Union Pacific Type, Volume II. Omaha, Nebraska. pp. 282–289. LCCN 90082171.
  48. Long, Roy (October 29, 2002). "Railroad Recollections: More About Engine 1642 Explosion". The Hinton News. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  49. "BOILER‐BLAST SUIT ASKS $8.2 MILLION; 10 Sue in '62 Phone Building Explosion Fatal to 23". The New York Times. July 15, 1964.
  50. "Steam Locomotive Firebox Explosion on the Gettysburg Railroad Near Gardners, Pennsylvania June 16, 1995" (PDF). ntsb.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. November 15, 1996. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  51. Boiler Explosion in Ohio, USA First Hand Observations from Andrew Semple
  52. "Steam Engine Blast At Ohio Fairgrounds Leaves 4 Men Dead". The New York Times. 30 July 2001. Retrieved 26 December 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  53. "The Final Report on the Tragedy at the Medina County Fairgrounds - Steam Engines - Steam Traction". Farm Collector. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  54. Ruscoe, Kim (25 June 2009). "Death after school boiler explosion". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  55. Byers, Christine (April 6, 2017). "4th victim who died from boiler blast near Soulard remembered as hard worker; funds set up for families". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  56. Bell, Kim; Byers, Christine; Kohler, Jeremy (April 4, 2017). "2 new employees filling out paperwork among dead in St. Louis boiler explosion". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  57. Fairbairn, William (1855). Useful Information For Engineers, Lecture III "On Boiler Explosions: The remedies applicable for the prevention of accidents arising from explosions" and Appendix IV "Association for the Prevention of Steam Boiler Explosions" (1st ed.). London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green (4th Ed.). pp. 75–83, 350–353 (4th Ed., 1864). Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  58. Fletcher, Lavington E. (October 1869). "Boiler Explosions". Van Nostrand's Eclectic Engineering Magazine. I (X): 940–941. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  59. Bombay Legislative Council (1870). Proceedings of the Council of the Governor of Bombay. Government Central Press. p. 85. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  60. Zartman, Lester William (1909). Fire Insurance, Chapter XIX. Steam Boiler Insurance. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press. pp. 352–353. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  61. Great Britain (1882). The Law Journal Reports for the Year 1882, Boiler Explosions Act (Chapter 22). pp. 41–43. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  62. Great Britain (1890). The Practical Statutes of the Session 1890, Boiler Explosions Act, 1890. London: Horace Cox. pp. 332–333. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  63. Heine Safety Boiler Co. (1920). Steam Boiler Engineering. St. Louis, Missouri: Heine Safety Boiler Co. p. 51. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  64. Croft, Terrell (Ed.) (1921). Steam Boilers, Division 4 "Boiler Codes and Inspection Laws". New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. pp. 73–76. Retrieved 2009-06-14.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  • Baxter, Bertram (1978). Baxter, David (ed.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 2A: London and North Western Railway and its constituent companies. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Moorland Publishing Company. ISBN 0-903485-51-6.
  • Baxter, Bertram (1982). Baxter, David (ed.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923. Volume 3A: Midland Railway and its constituent companies. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Moorland Publishing Company. ISBN 9780903485524.
  • Baxter, Bertram (1986). Baxter, David (ed.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 5A: North Eastern Railway, Hull and Barnsley Railway. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Moorland Publishing Company. ISBN 0-903485-54-0.
  • Hewison, Christian H. (1983). Locomotive Boiler Explosion. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. ISBN 0-7153-8305-1.
  • Rolt, L. T. C.; Kichenside, G. M. (1982). Red for Danger: A history of railway accidents and railway safety (4th ed.). Newton Abbot, Devon: David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-8362-0. OCLC 9526651.
  • Shaw, Robert B. (1978). A History of Railroad Accidents, Safety Precautions and Operating Practices. LCCN 78104064.

Further reading

Contemporary listings and accounts

Other
  • For a short status of European steam users' associations and boiler insurance companies c. 1897, see Hale, R. S. (April 1897). "European Boiler Practice". Journal of the Association of Engineering Societies. XVIII (4): 242–243. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
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