The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-11-03


"oiling the waves" originated by Mr..
Shields, at Psterhead, and afterward
carried out moro elaborately at one or
two OF the channel ports, excited a great
deal OF interest in seefaring circles. and,
recognizing the necessity OF obtaining
some authoritative report on the real
value of the distribution of oil on the
surface of stormy waves, the Royal
national litcbOat institution re-
questod Capt. Henry w. Chetwynd,
II. N, chief inspector Of life
boats, to make a thorough Investigation
of tho subject. This he has now con
Guided, and the result has been COM
municated TO tho life. boat committee in
the shape OF an exhaustive report. Va
riOus conditions of tho sea and all man
ner of oils wore tested, and in reference
to the latter Capt. Chetwyud says they
are all very much alike in their effect.
only very small quantities of oil, in
deed, Were necessary for covering a
considerable distance with a smooth,
CLASSY surface. Tho effects of this Oily
film in rollers that would endanger the
safety of small open boats was
most marked. 1t entirely stopped
their breaking, leaving only the
swell, and thereby robbed them of their
danger; but in surf of sufficient magni-
tude to bo OF importance to u lifeboat, or
such as are ordinarily encountered by
them, this effect was very much modi-
ned, and frequently entirely absent. On
moro than ono occasion, in moderate
SURF, which the oil was entirely "kill-
ing" If larger breaker than the sur
rounding one rose the oil was pOwerless
to check it, and tho sea broke through
II, covering boat, gear, etc, with oil. It's
want of power to overcome the danger
GUS part Of II heavy surf in shoal water
wiz, the break) WAS clearly shown on
on moro than one occasion, even when
tho oily film could bo distinctly soOn
on the surface between the break
ers. IL seemed TO fail in
very marked and curious
way To have any effect on breakers
caused by heavy ground swell, and
not by wind, on tho coast of Cornwall.
TO be any protection, says Capt. Chef
wynd, 1T must he applied to the sea from
tho boat or vessel, in tho direct line from
which the seas are advancing and at suf-
hcient distance TO give it time TO spread
and act upon tho waves before they
reach the vessel TO DO protected. This
could only be done in u lire.boat in two
positions, viz, first, whom anchored and
lying to sea and tide; and, secondly,
when running dead before the sea fer
the shore. In any other position. ever
supposing the oi, to be calming tho soa.
1t would most probably DO impossible
to keep the boat within its inhu
enco and proceed toward wreck, or
other desired point, mt the Same time.
This difficulty would be considerably
enhanced by the fact OF tho tide or cur
rent, on tho greater part OF tho coast,
settlng with more or less velocity along
the shore. Under these circumstances.
Capt Chetwynd in of opinion that no
practical advantage can arise from the
use of oil in the boats of the institution.
and no cannot, therefore, recommend lis
being supplied 10 them. With respect
to its uSo as u protection to ordinary
open boats in Ito them) dangerous surf
or breakers, the experiments appear 10
demonstrate clearly that, although il
connot be considered "specihc" GER
tain TO insure immunity from
danger III oil cases, yot in many cases IL
would prove very material protection,
aud go far to insure the boat passing
safely, through what would otherwise
prove very dangerous, and possibly fatal
seas, ana ON That account alone it's
adoption can not no too strongly urged
Tor boats having. or likely to have to
encounter these dangers. Az TO the Of
feet of oil in tho open sea. Capt. Chet-
wynd could not make personal expert
monts, but from authenticated
eases he believes that it is considerably
more than of shore, and he strongly re-
commends vessels to carry oil, with
perforated canvas bags for its distribu-
uon. Tho application of oil At harbor
ehtrAnces II al so advantageous to cor
lhh extent, hut Thero romsin many
practical dillieulties in the way Lon
don Telegraph.