Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-06
OIL ON THE WATERS.
Its Use in Storms at Sea-Experiments
That Have Been Made.

The experiment made in 1881 by the
steamship Venice, on voyage from sa-
vannah to Liverpool, of using oil to di-
minlsh the danger of breaking seas, is
proving a matter of government investi-
cation. The photographic office of the
Navy Department has for several months
been engaged in collecting data to deter
mine under what circumstances the use
Of oil is most eficacious during gales Of
wind at sea. When sufficient data have
been collected it is proposed to issue a
pamphlet giving such directions in regard
to the use of oil as common experience of
seamen may determine to be best.
The experiment made by the officers Of
the Venice and subsequent experiments
also have been reported in the NEWS.
The Venice, while running before heavy
northwest gale, was boarded by tremen-
dOus sea. The Captain determined to
heaYe to, and men were stationed TO pour
oil down the closet chutes forward and to
throw waste soaked in oil to windward.
The vessel came round without shipping
any water. AS she kept falling of it was
concluded to put her again before the sea,
which was done without trouble, and it
was found that she kept perfectly dry as
long as the oil was used. Again, in Janu-
airy, 1854, while crossing the Atlantic to
New York, after running before a north
west gale for some time, she was laid to
without difficulty or danger by using oil
in the manner already stated.
In number of other instances among
the most striking accounts are the fol-
lowing:
Capt. Richie, of the English steamer
Fern Holme, while on his last voyage
from Baltimore to Shields, used oil bags
while running before a westsouthwest
gale. He hung one over each side, just
forward Of the bridge, aud they effectu-
ally prevented the ship from taking water
on deck.
First Officer w. Maltjen, of the German
steamer Colon, in December, 1884, used
oil bags with remarkable effect. Two
bags filled with boiled oil were hung over
the bow. The oil spreading over the sur
face prevented the waves from breaking,
and the ship rode quite easily during the
continuance Of the gale.
Capt, Jones, OF the British steamer
Chicago, while resculng the crew Of the
brig FedOre used oil with best results. 1t
was blowing heavy gale, with very high
seas. The Chicago ran to windward of
the Fedore, and during lull, oil having
been poured on the water, the port life
boat was successfully launched and
started. A can of oil was taken in the
boat, and by using this the seas were
kept down in the immediate vicinity,
though they broke in masses of foam
short distance away. AS the boat APP
preached the Fedore the crew of that yes
sci poured oil on the water, which so
Gained the sea that the boat got along
side and rescued the shipwrecked crew
without sustaining any injury. About
half a gallon of paint oil was used by the
boat during her trip.
The brig P. NJ. Tenker, Capt. Charles
Barnard, New York to Cuba, in 1872, en-
countered a northeast gale when four
days out. Several heavy seas came on
with holes punched in the bottom, was
filled with oil and hung over the stern.
The oil prevented the seas from cOmbing,
and the vessel ran for several hours with
dry decks.