The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-06
Interesting Experiences Related by Sea-Far.
ing Men Who Have Experimental in This
Line and Obtained Good Results.
\ Publication Which Will Be of Much
Interest to Working Men.
The Interest Felt in the Organization of the
Next House of Representatives Confined
Mainly to the Doorkeepership.
OF ON TROUBLED WATERS.

OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.
Cumulative Evidence that It Will Prevent
the Combing of Waves.
Special to the IndianaeoIis journal.
WASHINGTON Sept 5-For several months
past the photographic official of the Navy De-
partment has endeavored to collect information
relative to the value of oil thrown upon the sea
in cases of storm From time to time there
have been disconnected reports from various sea
captains relative to the wonderful effects of
oleaginous fluids in calming troubled sea- The
stories have generally been classed in the same
category with the sea serpent and mermaid
yarns; but the department became satisfied that
with proper Investigations practical results
might be obtained which would be of great
value to mariners All seagoing captains there.
fore have been requested to report the effect of
oil upon the water, and it is the intention of the
department to publish this information
in book form when enough shall
have been collected, accompanied by some brief
directions as to the use of the fluid. The follow
ing are some of the experiences OF sea captains
recently reported to the department. The Ger
man steamer Polynesia. from Hamburg for New
York, reports that she encountered heavy
cyclone from the southwark and eastward on
Aug. 10, and that heavy seas swept the vessel
from stem to stern, carried away companion
hatch, injuring several persons and flooded the
saloon with water. Captain Kuhn states as fol-
lows: II decided to try the effect of oil A
tank of paint oil was placed on the starboard
side of the ship. and the oil allowed to leak out
The effect was marvellous. 1t gradually spread
over large space around the vessel and quelled
the waters entirely. The cyclone lasted eight
hours, and passed off to the northwest"
Captain E. Matthews, commanding bark Ella,
at Portland, Me-, sends the following I'm re-
gard to my experience in using oil for the pre-
vention of the breaking of seas over the ship,
will say that several times while lying to in
gale off Cape Horn, have used it with perfect.
success BY filling gunny-cloth bag with
oakum, saturated with lnseed oil. and placing it
over the lee bow so that it was dipped in the sea
by the motion of the vessel, found that as we
drifted to leeward the oil covered the surface Of
the water in the weather bow and prevented the
from combing and breaking Have seen the
same effect produced by oil slowly dripping from
the lee scuppers, and have also tried kerosene
and found that it answered the purpose as WELL
| firmly believe that oils brought into common
use fer this purpose would prove substantial
benefit to those who traverse rough waters"
Another officer writes I'm April, 1884 (1S, 10
and 20), was homeward bound from Melbourne
to Channel for orders, in the ship British Envoy,
1865 tons. We were at that time off the south
end of New Zealand always a bad place for
gales and heavy seas. AS the westerly gale
increased, so the sea rose and the squalls as
usual brought along little extra sea with them.
The ship was running before it, making good
weather till the southwest swell began to make
when some heavy water came on board. de-
termined to try il oiing the water was any
good, and brought up an oil-bag made of No.
canvas, for the purpose, which 1 filled with
three-quarters of gallon of tish-oil and towed
astern by two lead-lines at distance of fifteen
fathoms. Beyond running the lead
lines, no good whatever followed; the
oil and water effectually closed the
canvas. had it haulded on board, made sew
eral holes with large roping needle, and put it
over again. For minute or two / could sec the
oil spreading itself very we'll some distance
astern, too far to be of any use to me; indeed,
about this time the vessel was heavily popped,
and good deal of damage was done about the
decks, which delayed further experiment Hav-
ing put all 10 rights next tried more holes, and
hung the bag over the stern. The oil spread it
self as much over the ship as over the sea in
this case; SO thought would try it from the
starboari cathead as the wind was drawing
southerly and the heaviest sea running ND from
southwest | made hole with large pen
knife, put in more oil, and hung the bag just
awash. This was success; the oil had time to
spread to windward before the ship had
gone her own length, and no sea ever
broke with any force over that
smooth patch. am quite satisfied that towing
any oil bas or anything containing oil-say
bundle OF oakum-is quite mistake 1t might
do good TO ship following closely, but mono
whatever to the vessel towing it. have never
tried oil in the case of lying to- When head
reaching the only place is the weather cathead
but there would be some difficulty in keeping
the bag down when drifting. Though / have
not tried it, should put the bag either for
ward or aft according to the direction the worst
sea came from Another consideration on which
/ would much like information is what oil pro-
duces the best results. Cocoanut oil might be of
use in the tropics, but nowhere else; paint oil
soon clogs all small holes, nor does it spread
quickly. Cola and olive good. but what ship
nowadays carries surplus of these expensive
oils for experimenting Will parafine be of any
use, or is it too thinl Any Information on this
point would be most acceptable found fish
oil to answer well, and. having some ON board,
should experiment with it again"