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The Times
Tuesday Feb 5th 1850
Boiler Explosion
Great excitement was caused in Burnley on Friday last by the report of a boiler explosion at Marsland's Foundry. One of the three boilers which supply steam in the extensive premises was thrown a number of yards from where it formerly stood. One end was completely blown out, and the boiler-house, an immensely strong building, was also blown up by the force of the explosion. Some of the stones of the boiler-house were thrown several yards in all directions, the building presenting a complete wreck. The beam, fly-wheel, and immense hammer (weighing some tons) of an adjoining engine were torn from their fastenings, and laid prostrate. The explosion, which cannot yet be accounted for, took place a little before 1 o'clock, just before the hands had begun work, which fortunate circumstance accounts for no lives being lost. Had it occurred a few minutes later, the result would no doubt have proved fatal to those who work in the immediate vicinity. as it was, we are sorry to say that James Dugdale, a carter to Mr. Marsland, is supposed to have had his legs broken. He was in the act of emptying a cart of coals to supply fuel to the boiler at the time of the explosion, and the wonder is how he escaped with his life. The horse is also injured by scalding. The fire-tenter, who was helping Dugdale to unload the coals, escaped unhurt, whilst it was equally fortunate for the engineer that he had left the spot a few moments before. By this accident the hands at the foundry are for the present thrown out of work, as also are those of an adjoining loom-shed, which was worked by the steam made at the foundry. It is a source of much pleasure to Mr. Marsland that no lives are lost.-Preston Guardian
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Mel
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