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Re: Historic Steam Boiler Explosions
Good Morning Alan and Christine,
Your book Historic Steam Boiler Explosions has arrived in this morning's mail.
It is top quality in both printing and production, and I am looking forward to sitting down tonight to start reading it.
Thank you for your promptness of mailing it to me.
Kind Regards
Craig Waight - Espress Printers, Midland Hwy, Epsom Vic 3551 Australia
Re: Historic Steam Boiler Explosions
WELL RESEARCHED AND INFORMATIVE, 24 Sep 2009
As a practising mechanical engineer I am almost embarrassed by my own lack of knowledge of steam boilers - a founding technology of our country's and indeed the entire world's industrial success. Whilst this book does not set out to be a treatise on boilers, it does explain their workings and failings. It is interesting to see how they rapidly developed over the course of a relatively few decades from the mid 19th to early 20th century, moving them from production by blacksmith's into sophisticated specialist engineering boilermakers.
The book details a series of disasters involving the unleashing of the terrible forces present within pressurised steam. Clearly a result of much research by author Alan McEwen, it details the causes of such all-too-common explosions, and describes the devastating results, deaths and horrific injuries, illustrated by historic photographs, engravings, and contemporaneous newspaper reports. In parallel to the descriptions of the accidents, Alan looks at the public's growing anger at their frequency and the development of measures to regularly inspect steam boilers.
This book draws upon Alan McEwen's practical understanding of boilers as an engineer and boilermaker - now a rare occupation. As such it is an important book, which is well researched, and of interest to anyone who cares about our industrial heritage.
Neil K
Re: Historic Steam Boiler Explosions
AN EXPLOSIVE READ
Following the huge success of his earlier book ‘Fred Dibnah’s Chimney Drops’ renowned industrial heritage writer Alan McEwen has once again written another compelling book, this time titled: ‘Historic Steam Boiler Explosions’. It is actually two books in one, as well as covering boiler explosions included is the potted histories of early industrial boilers: Haystack, Waggon, Egg-Ended, Rastrick Vertical, Cornish, Lancashire, Locomotive and Marine boilers, as well as Boiling Kiers. Unlike all the incidents in his previous book on Fred’s chimney drops, Alan was not attendant at these explosions! Following endless hours of diligent research Alan’s new book takes us back in very descriptive detail, accompanied by good quality photos and detailed sketches, to some 34 occasions when the devastating forces of disruption resulting from an exploding steam boiler were unleashed, all with unimaginable consequences. Reading this authoritative book brings home to readers in stark reality just how much potential a working steam boiler has to wreak incredible damage and injury around it, and to those of us who work with such boilers, whether commercially or in preservation, the need for the highest standards of operation and maintenance of such boilers.
Certainly an explosive read, and I heartily recommend it!
Alwyn Rogers - Mill Engineer, Queen St. Mill Museum, Burnley
Re: Historic Steam Boiler Explosions
RARE COVERAGE OF AN IMMENSELY IMPORTANT SUBJECT, 30 Sep 2009
As a reader of many books on all aspects of industrial archaeology, it struck me, whilst reading this, that whilst the steam engine in its many and varied forms has been written about for decades, nay centuries, the means of generating the essential steam is rarely, if ever, given a passing reference. And yet, without a vessel in which to boil water and produce steam, no progress in engineering, manufacturing, transport &c. could have been made. One might regard the 'boiling pot' as uninteresting - but the lives lost and dreadful injuries sustained along the treacherous road to the development of 'safe' steam boilers were countless.
Alan McEwen, once again, brings his subject to life in his own inimitable style. Extensively illustrated visually and also with typically verbose extracts from contemporary (mostly 19th Century) newspapers, stories of human horror, of the disasters which befell so many small, industrious communities are told. The telling of these stories, with appropriate analysis of cause, forms the bulk of the text, but there are also pages of extremely interesting facts, figures and simple physics. The development of the design of boilers from earliest times, the gradual realisation of the potential forces contained within these great metal 'pots' and the evolution of safety measures are covered in satisfying detail. The whole is extremely readable and the subject truly fascinating.
This is Alan McEwen at his best. This book covers his specialist subject and it is written with a passion and knowledge, probably unsurpassed in the UK. Anyone who has any association with steam engines, past or present, should read this book. Anyone with even a passing interest in industrial history should read this book. It is refreshing, figuratively colourful and fascinating throughout.
Sayajirao
Re: Historic Steam Boiler Explosions
A GOOD GRIPPING READ!
Just a line to say how much I have enjoyed reading HISTORIC STEAM BOILER EXPLOSIONS, which I have found most interesting.
It’s a grim mixture of what ordinary people happened to be doing at the time of an explosion, (every day moments suddenly having to be described, which I always find revealing) – together with your informed descriptions as to why the boilers exploded, makes not only for a good gripping read but also a work of reference on this fascinating subject. Boilers aren’t anything I profess to know about, but I am sure your book will become to be a classic in its genre.
Many thanks for a good informative read, and I hope the book will prove to be the great success it deserves.
Dr Ian Dewhirst M.B.E. – Local Historian
Re:Fred Dibnah's Chimney Drops
PRESENT FROM THE WIFE, 16 Sep 2009
This was a pressie from the missus , I was only lucky enough to attend Freds last Chimney drop at Royton , this book gives a really good account of most of Freds 'demolitions' not only in the authors words but Freds himself , I am enjoying this book no end, if you are a Fred fan you'll love this book.
Mr. M.G. Higgins
Re:Fred Dibnah's Chimney Drops
"Another riveting publication from a renowned and respected author on all things Victorian Industrial History. This very well written and illustrated book not only captures the gritty northern warmth and humour, so characteristic of Fred, but also the insights into the highs and lows of Fred’s often very dangerous job. I’m sure our Fred will be looking down from his fleecy chimney top saying - - ‘ Yon’s a reet grand read, our Al !’ "
Alwyn Rogers - Mill Engineer, Queen St. Mill, Burnley
Re: Fred Dibnah's Chimney Drops
"Another triumph, following on from Alan's Chronicles of a Lancastrian Boilermaker, his latest publication has been well worth the wait. This tome is the definitive work on Fred's spectacularly successful and perilous career in the Victorian art of chimney felling.
There are few authors on the industrial history scene who have both the depth of technical knowledge coupled with an ability to communicate their subject with the ordinary man on the street. Best wishes on your forthcoming books!!"
Rob Sharples
Re: Fred Dibnah's Chimney Drops
"By 'eck! THIS is what we have all been waiting for!
A well researched book written by someone just as knowledgeable, sincere and colourful as the subject matter.
I am delighted to have been so entertained and enlightened by Alan's book 'Fred Dibnah's Chimney Drops' - since I thought I knew all there was to discover about 'Our Fred'.
A masterpiece - don't miss this, even if you are not a die hard fan, read this book and be amazed."
Sheila Dibnah - Widow of the Late, Great Fred
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