Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-11-13
OILING THE WAVES.
The Result of Investigations by the
British Life-SavIng Service.
London News

1onuOn news.
Some time ago the experiments in
"oiling the waves" originated by Mr.
Shields, a. Peterhead, and afterwards
called out more deliberately at one or
two of the channel ports, excited a
great deal of interest in seafaring
circles, and, recognizing the necessity
of obtaining some authoritatlvely re
port on the real value of the distribu-
ton of oil on the surface of stormy
waves, the Royal National Lifebeat
institution requested Capt. Henry w.
Chetwynd, r. n, chief inspector Of
l;feboats. to make a thorough investi-
CATION of the subject. This he has
now concluded, and the result has
been communicated TO the lifeboat
committee in the shape of an exhaus-
tive report. Various conditions of the
sea and all manner of oils were tested,
and in reference to the latter Capt.
Chetwynd says they are all very much
alike in their effect. Only very small
quantities of oil indeed were necessary
for covering considerable distance
with smooth CLASSY surface. The
effect of this oily film 10 rollers that
would endanger the safety of small
open boats was most marked. 1t en-
tirely stopped their breaking, leaving
only the fluctuations or roll of a harm
less swell and thereby robbed them
of their danger; but in arr of suffici-
ent magnitude to be of importance to
lifeboat, or such as are ordinarily
encountered by them, this effect was
l. sd o.,l
entirely absent. On more than one
occasion, in a moderate surf, which
the oil was entirely killing" if lar
ger breaker than the surrounding one
rose the oil was powerless TO check it,
and the sea broke through 1t, covering
boat, gear, etc, with oil Its want Of
power to overcome the dangerous
part of heavy surf in shoal water
(viz the break was clearly shown on
more than one occasion, even when
the oily film could be distinctly seen
on the surface between the breakers.
1t 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 the coast
of Cornwall. To be any protection,
says Capt. Chetwyud, it must be APP
piled to the sea from the boat or yes
sci in the direct line from which the
seas are advancing, and at sufficient
distance to give it time to spread and
act upon the waves before they reach
the vessel to be protected. This could
only be done in a life-boat in two
positioas-viz., first, when anchored
and lying head to sea and tide; and,
secondly, when running dead before
posi- ton, even supposing the oil to be
calming the sea, ii would most prob
ably be Impossible to keep the boat
within its influence, and proceed to-
ward a wreck, or other desired point,
at the same time. This difficulty
would be considerably enhan eed blythe
fnct of the tide or current, on the
greater part of the coast, setting with
more or less velocity along shore.
Under these circumstances, Capt.
Chetwynd is Of opinion that no prac-
teal advantage can arise from the
use of oil in the boats of the institu-
ton, and he can not, therefore,
recommend its being supplied to them.
With respects TO its use as prOtec-
ton to ordinary open boats in Ito
them dangerous surf or breakers, the
experiments appear to demonstrate
clearly that, although it can not be
considered specific certain to in
sure immunity from danger in all
cases, yet in many cases it would
prove very material protection, and
go far to insu re the boat passing safe
~ through what would otherwise
prove very dangerous, and possibly
fatal, seas, and on that account alone
its adoption can not be too strongly
urged for boats having or likely to
have, to encounter these dangers. AS
to the effect of oil on the open sea,
Capt. Chetwynd could not make per-
sonal experiments, but from we'll au-
thenticated cases he believes that it is
considerable more beneficial than off
shore, and he strongly recommends
vessels to carry it, with perforated
canvas bags for its distribution. The
application of oil at harbor entrances
is also advantageous to certain ex-
tent, but there re main many practi-
cal difficulties in tke way.