New Theory
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS,
Advanced In Gas
Disaster Inquiry
MR. W. A. BUTTERFIELD CONTINUES HIS EVIDENCE
The
ing had since been removed. concrete and brick, slab which had served as table for the gas rings was still complete. After the ex- amination he was more convinced that an explosion had occurred within the hut.
The Gasometer.
TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 1934.
OBJECTION TO A JUROR
HK POLICE RESERVE
(ORDERS BY THE HON, MR. E. D. C, WOLFE, C.M.G., O.BE, IN- SPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE)
All ranks of the Hong Kong Police Reserve will parade at Po- Ice Heaquarters, on Wednesday, June 20th at 17.30 hours for in
presentation
spection and The
Gas Ignited In
Watchmen's Hut!
That the cause of the explosion was mainly attributable to gas finding its way to the watchmen's hut where it was ignited and subsequently blown back to the gasometer, was the theory Astatic given by Mr. W. A. Butterfield, chief engineer of the Petroleum Co. (S.C.). Ltd., at Central Magistracy yesterday when he continued his expert evidence in the enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragic gas explosion disas- tor at West Point on the morning of May 14.
Mr. Batterfield, who was asked to examine the gasometer by.. the Government, nise stated that the conditions of the plates which he had carefully examined were such that they warrant. ed and necessitated their, renewal some while ago. He said' that the whole trouble was due to corrosion and caused a slight murmur of laughter by remarking that the patches were stronger than the plates themselves!
*
Mr. E. W. Hamilton conducted the enquiry with the assist- ance of a special Jary comprised of Messrs. P. Tester (foreman), L. Dunbar and D. Drummond.
Mr. W. A. Mackinley, of Messrs. Deacons, represented the in-" terests of the Hongkong and China Gas Co., Ltd., the owners of the gasometer, and Mr. W. M. Brown, of Messrs. Hastings and Co., watched the proceedings on behalf of certain property owners whose property was damaged by the catastrophe.
Patches Stronger Than The Plates!
On May 24, he made a further examination of the gasometer. On the roof, as well as could be seen from the gallery, at the point where the side plates were planted out, five wind-ties and Ave jower The trusses had been broken. wind-ties were used for preventing wrecking by high winds. The damage was made possible by the Impact of the lower end of the "king" post with the steel framed stool settled with the sudden re- lease of gas. There might be other damage but he could not go to the scene without the aid of a scaffolding...
He docated two additional holes In the fifth and sixth strakes about 3/8 inch by 1/8 inch which he had missed on his previous visit. The five boles which he had located and marked on his pre- vious visit had been filled up with red lead putty!
He examined two small sheds adjacent to the watchmen's hut and found, that hut No. 2 which was 18 feet 2 inches from the gaso- meter had a charcoal chatty of the Cooking type used for cooking. utensils and gas pipės were the second sec- also there. In
was tion OI this hut, there
a three-quarter inch gas pipe and a wooden table on which was a circular iron plate, apparently used for putting the gas ring or other form of heating' apparatus.
On May 25, he examined several platings which had been removed from the interior of the gasometer, they having fallen from the upper lift. He took the following mea- surements of six sheetings.
of
awards by the Hon. Inspectór General of Police.
Dress
"Instinct" Not Con- sidered Good Ground
THIEF GETS FIVE YEARS
A "preeze" was caused at the Criminal, sessions, yesterday when from a dwelung, objected to one * prisoner, charged with larceny
of the jurors.
Asked to state his reason, the man cansed everyone to laugh when he said: "It is my Instinct, Superintendents: White Uni-my Lord, I don't like his face." form, Cap with White "cover, Sam The objection was of no avall, Brown Belts and sticks White his Lordship allowing the Juror shoes or Boots.
to sit on the Jury, but at the Chinese. Indian and Flying same time remarking to the per- Squad-White Uniform, Cap with son concerned that he hoped the
Cover. white
with Brace, prisoner's remarks would not pre- Armlet with Badge, "Pocket Po-judice the particular juror against policeman" and note-book to be him.
The jury was as follows:-- carried.
Emergency unlt Reserve-Khaki Messes. James Hunter (foreman), Turife, Khaki Shorts, Cap with M. C Neves, H. R. de Pinna, P. A.. Khaki Cover, Blue Puttees, Belt Ema. C. de V. Ribeiro, H. Dreyer, with Brace, Armlet with Badge, Wing To-yus.... "Pocket Policeman" and note-book to be carried.
Belt
The defendant was Chan Wing. He pleaded not guilty to "theft Chinese Company...
from No. 11, Chatham Road. He was charged with stealing
two Training Course-Part-All re-pairs of fannels and a fur cont crufts of the Chinese Company of the value of over $25. will attend at the Chinese Head- quarters on Thursday, June 19th. at 17.30 hours for instruction.
Indian Company . Training Course-Part II.-There will be no Part of Training Course at No. 4 Chi Woo, Street on Wednesday, June 20th."
Mrs. W. Gardiner said she kept a boarding house at Harbour View from which the clothes, which she identined as her husband's," were taken.
The No. 1 Boy said, he saw ac- cused in the basement with the clothes under his arm, but by the time he got to the place, accused . Fing Squad
bad dropped the clothes and ran Instructional Patrol-The next away. He pursued and was joined instructional patrol fór members by an Indian constable and a will Portuguese passer-by who appre- of the Hong Kong Section take place on Friday, June 22nd. hended accused." Members will fall in at Central Police Station at 17.30 hours.sharp. All members will attend. Dress White Uniform, Cap with White Cover, Belt with Brace, and Trun- cheen,
CHAMPKIN, Acting, D.S.P. (R)
Continuing his expert evidence been present on the interior side No. 21...... 1/40 of seam from the previous hearing. Mr. of the plate...
No. 22...... 1/20 of seam Coroner: Do you form any opi-No. 23...... 1/40 of seam Butterfeld said that his report
things ion about the general state of the No. 24...... was only a
of
1/20 of seam which he noticed on his various plate?
No. 25. 1/20 of line of rivets Hongkong. June 18, 1834. visits to the gasworks.
No. 27......1.25 upon 20 of line of
fascimile
'
Mr. Butterfeld: Every part which On his visit of May 17, he notic-I found was through corrosión. ed two of the plates were patched, would indicate a very uncertain pne patch being approximately 14 condition and which will lead one so
inches by 14 inches and the other approximately 24 inches by 18 in ches. These patches, were. formed with mild steel plates secured to the shell plate with hooked "or atted split bolts, and had been over a wasted area plate which was, in fact, at the time of the examination. perforated before the patches were put on. "Generally speaking, the side farthest from the hole was in a better condition. The Hut
think that if one plate could go in that way, any one might. I would always be alarmed if there was a hole in the tank which, I think, it should be avoided. In. connec- tion with the general tank work, when a tank is in a bad condition one would naturally have an in- ternal examination which is the only thing to do. I am speaking. of course. of dangerous goods storage.
He counted in all 17 bolt plate patches. In addition to the bolt batches there were two others, ap- proximately 38 inches by 18 inches each secured with a number of small bolts.
The Seam
rivets.
I was shown at all the points
The No. 2 Boy. Baid he also saw accused in the basement and Police Constable B362 sald he saw accused running.
Accused said he did not wish to
He give evidence.
was merely taking a walk when he was na- saulted and charged,
His. record showed 32. previous convictions for theft, burglary, etc., dating from 1905..
BAD RECORD
"Yours is the most terrible re
sald across."
which he had examined that due PROPERTY SALE cord I have come to corrosion, smooth wasting, local and general pitting and age the plates were in a brittle and weak- enëd condition. The original. thickness of one-tenth of an inch being in places 1/49.
Rust
The container had been sludged removed con- out. the material sisting of some tons of rust which had fallen from the tank. Eighteen of the 8 inches by 5 inches rolled Steel joints forming the vertical side girders of the upper lift showed heavy corrosion. The interior of the plating of the upper lift was. in part holding sheets of rust.
Leakage of Gas. From the general condition of the plates in way of seams, Amali perforations and holes as shown
Hollywood Road House Fetches $17,500
At Messrs. Hughes and Hough's auction room yesterday, No. 250, Hollywood Road, consisting of a shop and dwelling house, was put up for sale.
J
4
Commencing at $15,000, the price was gradually raised until $17,500 was touched. At this figure it was.
his Lordship.
Accused: I want to be a good man, but I must have some capital and if your Lordship will give me a free hawker's licence and some money I will start a busi
ness.
Mr. Fraser, Assistant Attorney" General said this chance had been given accused before, but he had not taken it.
"I think it is time that society got a Little respite from your objectionable attentions," said his Lordship in passing sentence of five years hard labour,
sold to Mr. Lo Yu Ping of 10 BANISHEE SENT
Queen's Road Central.
The watchmen's hut which was formed of bricks with galvanised fron roof and part galvanised iron was side and rought iron pules about 30 feet away from the gas- holder. In one section of the but
in One vertical seam the fifth there were two gas rings and a
straxe. two vertical seams distant gas-light of incandescent type from the opening. "caused by the
Previous to the sale a question' the condition of the hut indicated
damage on the side of the lift for
was raised as to the area of the that an explosion had occurred
a length of about 18 inches was in some plates and with particu- property, this particular not hav within the building, the windows
open, due to 16 rivet heads on the lar regard to the open vertical ing been included in the particu- being blown upwards with glass lying on the outside, the roof of inside having pulled through. The seams, it would appear that an lars of sale. It was explained that the building partly dislodged and opening had been filled with red appreciable leakage, of gas had the area was that spaces bounded sometime, in by the shops adjacent to the the side lead putty to a thickness of about been in progress for fallen into space, and
one put up for sale. sheeting hanging outwards at the 3/16" and painted over. The patty which gas, according to air cur- rents, would, in his opinion Ben- bottom. The maxium force of the had shrunk or the plate had explosion within the hut was ap-sprung, thus leaving an opening❘erally, be blown away and safely of about 18 inches long varying parently located immediately over the position occupied by the 'gas from 1/16" in depth to ". The rings. At this point, one of the plate was in a very flexible state in the way of the opening and it steel Jolats supporting the roo!
would spring open to a varying ex- sheeting was badly bent in an up- ward direction and the roofing tent with very little pressure. It lifted well clear of the back wall was possible that this was due to Recently-used cooking utensils were concussion before the fire broke ont. Personally, he considered it found within the hut.
all wrong to putty up this 18 inch opening. If there were an opening before the concussion he consider ed a lot of gas would have escaped due to the pressure.
In reply to the Coroner, Mr. Butterfield aid that in his opin- fon any naked Hght in the com- pound was dangerous.
Red Lead Potty
ย
the
dispersed.
Coroner: Can you tell us the possible cause of the accident?
ignited Wad
indicates the bad condition on the whole.
the
TO PRISON
Remarking that defendant's re-
cord was a disgraceful one, the Chief Justice, His Honour Mr. & D, A. Macüregor sentence Cheung Fat alias Ho Wan Hing to three. years and six months' hard isbour for returning from banishment.
Prisoner's record showed that he had been leading a life of crime since 1925. He had been banished from the Colony on five occasions, but bad returned each time.
...
A SCOTTISH TATE
With regard to oil tanks, how Mr. Butterfeld: I think it is mainly attributable to gas finding often you have them examined in- its way to the No. 1 hut where it ternally?-Every year according to The and consequently the Cmpany's 'regulations. -
following means can be applied: blown back to the gasometer.
Mr. Butterfield added that it Steam, water and ventilating fans. would be necessary." Judging by Are your tanks built on the mere state of the upper lifts. same principles as the gasholder? that the whole of the plating No. Because we have to provide forming the roof and the three for a definite bydraulle pressure.
In answer to a further question Mfts be thoroughly examined and drill
the Coroner, Mr. Buterfield tested for the purpose of by ascertaining their condition. There caused a murmur of laughter by on which the First Commissioner was also expansion and contrac- stating that tion due to the beat and sun rays. Generally, he was of the opinion that these plates, of which he had made careful examinations; war-
With the ranted and necessitated, cordance
he thought the patches were stronger than the plates themselves.
Referring to his visit of May 22, Mr Butterfield said that the in-
In all cases red lead putty was ner lift having been partially rais- ed since his last inspection; he used in closing the holes; it was made a further examination from fairly soft, and judging by the gallery of No. 5 and No. tamish which he flicked easily strakes, counting downwards. The with a knife blade, it probably, had outer skin of the lift was fairly been in position for about a month. tree from scale and recently paint-The red lead had, in all cases, been ^ed. Five holes about 3/8" by 178 painted over which he concluded were located and these were found was the usual procedure in clos-gineering regulations, their re-position had to do certain work to have been caused by corrosioning the holes.
removed.
Four of these: holes had been nul- As some of the plates which ed in with red lead putty which he were lying or the ground had been marked and drilled for outside Taking the thickness of the purposes since the time of his plate in the five holes which were former visit on May 17, he took zarked by him, he attained the further measurements with detail
as follows:
following measurements:
"A. 1/20" in way of seam.
No. 6 plate
E 1/20" in way of horizontal and No. 6
vertical seam
C. 1/20% in way of seam,
D. 1/20" in way of Beam
E. 1/20′′ in way of seam
ments, it was not possible to rê
No. 11
No. 11
newal.some while ago.
You said that the holder ought to be renewed somewhile ago. "On in ac- what do you base your statement? general en- The plates which remained in
and due, as shown by the holes, to corrosion and through cracks, they were not in a suitable condi- tion to remain where they were. They were incapable of carrying on the work
Coroner: I think what you ob- lect, mainly, is corrosion? Yes Ex- cessive corrosion is the whole trouble...
If you were asked to examine the gasometer before the explosion what would be your opinion? Having no knowledge of the work- 1/20° centre ing of the gasometer, I would 1/20 Joint never suspect, from external ap- 1.25 upon 20 joint pearance, that it had internal cor- 1/20. alde rosion. I would myself certainly
At this stage, the enquiry was adjourned until this afternoon.
Arhilar Of Style. Wife (trying on spring hat) He made a further examination have said it looked very good as "Do you like this turned down of the watchman's hut and check-far as external appearance is con- | dear?"
In taking the above measure-ed the distance of the doorway cerned.
more any scale which might have
from the gasometer. The twi gas
Do you consider that the num- rings, the gas light fitting and pip-ber of patches are dangerous?-It
Husband "How much (162 Wife: "Eleven 'dollars.” Husband: "Yes, turn it down.”
(Special Air Mail Service)
Edinburgh, June 2 There is no doubt of the need,
of Works commented recently, for an additional art gallery in Edinburgh to house modern works of art, But as Mr. Ormsby-Gore very reasonably said, it is too much to expect taxpayers to meet the whole cost of erecting and equipping such a building. It will be recalled that the Tate Gallery in London came into being as the. result of the munificence of Sir Henry Tate, who not only started the collection there with a gift of 275,000 worth of pictures but also gave £80,000 towards the erection of the building. No doubt bene- Hind were rather of this more common 40 years ago than they are to-day when taxation makes even the very rich, wince. but Sir Alexander Grant's promise of £100,000 towards, the new National Library shows there are still men rich enough and large minded enough to rise to a great occasion.
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