The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-26 00:00:00

the general demand. In fact, geologists have taken
the trouble to calculate the probable extent of the
coal fields both of this country and the continent of
Europe, and have even fixed the period when they
will be exhausted. We are allvery clever in our own
generation, but we know not what the morrow will
bring forth; while the sages have been puzzling
their heads to find a substitute for coal for their
grandchildren's great grandchildren, accident has
solved the problem. Petroleum, which was disco•
vered in North America, springing up from
the earth, is an oil of a highly inflam-
mable nature, in fact it is of so gaseous a nature
that, like all mineral oils, it is liable to explode
when heated. As a matter of course, as soon as
:he existence of this oil was discovered, companies
were formed io " work it," and wells were sunk in
favourable localities, to tap, as it were, Nature's
head. Indeed some of these ventures were so suc-
cessful that the workmen stood aghast at the results
of their own handiwork, for having struck the vein
or artery, or whatever it is called, the oil rushed up
to the surface with sach force, and in such quan-
tities that it was impossible to secure it, and hun-
dreds and thousands of gallons ran to waste. Petro-
leum oil has now become a staple of trade, and
large quantities are regularly imported into this
country. There is, therefore, a very possible sub-
stitute for coal for our successors. The extent of
the supply is, of course, yet hidden from us; but as
we cannot fix a limit, we may safely leave the con-
sideration of that question to future generations.
The American Government, ever alive to the re-
quirements of the moment, have instituted a com-
mission to consider whether petroleum oil can be
made available for the generation of steam. This
committee, in a preliminary report, have informed
the United States Government that petroleum oil
possesses double the belting power of coal, can be
stored in far less space, and is of proportionable
lees specific gravity ; but they have not yet ex-
pressed their opinion on its adaptability for
marine engines, wishing to verify their theories by
experiment before presenting their report. Petro-
leum oil is produced in large quantities in Canada
It is surely of as mull importance to this country
as to America to provide her ships with the most
available fuel which can be procured. The Ameri-
cans are endeavouring to counteract the dangerous
elements of this new oil, and render it available for
their steamers. Why should not the British Admi-
ralty set experiments on foot to arrive at a similar
result. Surely we are not to wait until a foreign
Government has made a discovery and turned it to
advantage, before we set about working for our-
selves. In justice to the Board of Admiralty, we
must say that they have shown more alacrity in
taking up the twin screw system than has hereto-
fore characterised their movements. A new launch
is being built for the Bombay, fitted with two
screws. Now the drawback to providing ships
with steam power is the difficulty found in
stowing sufficient coals for a cruise of any length of
time ; but if petroleum oil could be substituted, a
ship could not only carry four times the quantity
of fuel which she can at present, but her speed
might be materially augmented. At all events the
experiment is worth trying. The objection which
will naturally be raised against the substitution of
petroleum oil for coals in ships is its inflammable
nature and the possibility of explosion. This may
no doubt be hereafter provided against, but until
that time comes, there can be no harm in trying
the experiment upon a few ships' launches, when,
in case of any accident, the boat's crew could pitch
the whole cargo overboard in a few minutes. In
these go-ahead times England ought not to watch
the march of progress, but to lead it.