Exhibit 25


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the  undersigned  directors of The  Hartford  Steam  Boiler  Inspection  and
Insurance Company do hereby individually appoint Robert C. Walker and Roberta A.
O'Brien,  and each of them singly,  with full power of substitution to each, our
true  and  lawful  attorneys-in-fact  with  full  power to them and each of them
singly,  to  sign  for us in our  names  and in the  capacities  stated  below a
registration statement on Form S-8 covering The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection
and Insurance  Company 1995 Stock Option Plan and any and all amendments to said
Form S-8,  including  post-effective  amendments,  and  generally to do all such
things in our name and on our behalf in our  capacities  as directors  that will
enable the Company to comply with the  provisions of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended,  and all  requirements  of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission,
which  relate to said Form S-8 and the  filing  thereof;  hereby  ratifying  and
confirming all that said attorneys or any of them,  shall do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this Power
of Attorney has been signed by the following  persons in the  capacities  and on
the date indicated.

 (Signature)                         (Title)                    (Date)
- ------------                        ---------------             ------
/s/ Gordon W. Kreh                  President, Chief          April  24, 1997
Gordon W. Kreh                      Executive Officer
                                    and Director

/s/ Richard H. Booth
Richard H. Booth                    Director                  April 24, 1997


/s/ Colin G. Campbell
Colin G. Campbell                   Director                  April  24, 1997




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         (Signature)                (Title)                     (Date)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------


/s/ Richard G. Dooley
Richard G. Dooley                   Director                  April  24, 1997


/s/ William B. Ellis
William B. Ellis                    Director                  April  24, 1997


/s/ E. James Ferland
E. James Ferland                    Director                  April  24, 1997


/s/ Simon W. Leathes
Simon W. Leathes                    Director                  April 24, 1997


/s/ Lois D. Rice
Lois D. Rice                        Director                  April  24, 1997


/s/ John M. Washburn, Jr.
John M. Washburn, Jr.               Director                  April  24, 1997


/s/ Wilson Wilde
Wilson Wilde                        Director                  April  24, 1997






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