355.  The  present  system  is  of  comparatively  recent
introduction  into  the  United  States,  though  it  has  been  in
practical  operation  in  England  for  many  years.  Its  object  is
to  farnish  indemnity  for,  and  security  against,  steam-boiler
explosions,  so  far  as  possible,  by  frequent  critical  examina-
tionS)  by  duly  authorized  inspectors,  of  all  steam-boilers
covered  by  the  policies  of  the  company,  and  such  others  as
they  may  be  called  upon  to  inspect  officially.
These  inspections  have  already  brought  to  light  some
startling  facts  of  vast  importance,  not  only  to  the  Boiler  In-
surance Company,  but  to  other  underwriters  covering  upon
niannfacturing  establishments  using  steam-boilers,  also.
956.  From  a  report  of  the  "  Hartford  Steam-boilkr
AND  INSPECTION  CoiCPANY,"  we  gather  the  following,  as  the
results  of  the  inspection  of  1,101  boilers  in  a  single  month,
viz.: —


^vnaces  oat  of  shape 80

ll^nied  plates  (5  dangerous). ...  80
°^iiimeat  and  deporit  (4  danger-

008) 52

^ternal  corrosion  (6  dangerous)  80

I&temtl        "         2       •'  18

^|ow-oat  apparatus  out  of  order,  2
'^are^uges  out  of  order  (3

^Wigerous) 79


Fractures  (7  dangerous) 17

Blistered  plates  (10  dangerous) . .  56

Scale 68

Internal  grooving 2

Water-gauges  out  of  order.  ....  20

Safety-valves  out  of  order 12

Deficiency  of  water  (4  danger

ous) 9

I  Boilers  condemned 2


The  inspectors  of  the  Hartford  Steam-boiler  and  Inspec-
tion Insurance  Co.  examined  daring  the  year  ending  Sept.  1^


r  c  9  '*•  /►  r.
100  STEAM-BOILER   INSUBAKCE.
1871,  13,476  boilers.  Of  these,  defects  were  discovered  in
6,253,  dangerous  defects  in  954.  The  amount  of  carelessness
and  incompetency  revealed  by  these  inspections  is  really
deplorable.
357.  Boilers  declined  by  these  companies  after  inspec-
tioA  are  virtually  "  condemned  "  ;  and  other  underwriters
should  insist  upon  ^^  inspection  certificates,"  in  all  cases
where  boilers  are  used.
