Again, Times, June 7, 1831, quoting the Glasgow Chronicle, says—
"Mr. Gurney's[22] steam carriage was, on Wednesday night, blown to pieces by an explosion of the boiler. The catastrophe occurred in the square of the cavalry barracks, where the carriage was exhibiting. It had gone round the square several times, and stopped at one corner of it, where some people got out. Two boys, sons of Mr. Maclure, of the Port Eglinton Inn, at that time entered, and were about to be followed by two gentlemen, when the boiler burst with a tremendous explosion, and shattered the vehicle into numberless pieces. The two boys were very seriously injured in the face and other parts of the body, and they now lie in very precarious circumstances."
The road steam carriage was such a novelty, that people hardly knew what to make of it, so a Select Committee of the House of Commons upon it was appointed, who reported thereon to the House on October 12, 1831. The conclusion of the report was as follows:—
"Sufficient evidence has been adduced to convince your Committee—
"1. That carriages can be propelled by steam on common roads at an average rate of ten miles per hour.
"2. That at this rate they have conveyed upwards of fourteen passengers.
"3. That their weight, including engine, fuel, water, and attendants, may be under three tons.
"4. That they can ascend and descend hills of considerable inclination with facility and safety.
"5. That they are perfectly safe for passengers.
"6. That they are not (or need not be, if properly constructed) nuisances to the public.