The Elbert County tribune., 1911-09-15

tabl Iinea connected q
beam driven by an engine which continually
raises and releases the and permits the drill
to fall with great force into the hole. With each
drop and by its weight. the drill literally
crushes and pulverizes the rock into sand, which
is removed with sand pump from time to time
as it accumulates in the boring. AS the work pro-
crosses and the hole deepens the adjustable line IS
heightened and the drill lowered as required.
After drilling to depths varying from 100 to 1000
feet and when crevice is struck in the rock. the
oil is frequently brought to the surface by the
force of its pressure; but 1t often becomes
necessary In the flow of oil Is not considered
sufficient to insert charge OF explosive at the
bottom Of the boring Shoot" or blast the well.
and thus increase the supply. After the drilling
and blasting are completed, the well is then cased
with iron piping. known rs lining" and pump
inserted
In the old days each well was pumped separ-
atey but the industry is now conducted upon such
an economic and scientific basis that the wells are
pumped in groups by a vertable network Of con-
Meeting rods, extending over the fields and driven
by an engine in a centralized station.
In districts the oil fields have been prac
ticaliy honeycombed with wells and the production
of petroleum greatly reduced or scattered by con-
tinual pumping
AS the enterprise grew many complex problems
arose from time to time but they have all been
gradually but erectually solved and the industry
placed upon a conservative and economic basis.
The total flow of oil In the United States for
the year 1885, the first of which any onicia record
has been kept, amounted to only 1000 barrels
For the year 1909 the production as estimated by
David Day Of the. United States Geological Sur
vey amounted to about 10000 barrels. which.
II placed in single body. would be sufficient to
float a gigantic fleet of s35 Dreadnought battle
ships of the new 260O0-ton Arkansas type of the
United States Navy.
a northeaserly to southwesterly direction, and the
petroleum industry was extended over a vast terri
tory.
During the year 1908 there 5000 wells
Init of fxx,ich hutQ WA ArR
dry
Extensive experiments have been conducted to
determine the value OF petroleum as fuel for power
plants as well as for the navy and merchant ma
rine especially in England and the United States.
Numerous merchant vessels have been fully
equipped for burning oil as fuel, and, by practical
test It has been determined that oil will evaporate
80 per cent more water per pound than COAL s
easier to handle and stow. offers no dificulty In
burning and in its use. time formerly wasted In
coaling and in useless labor is saved smoke emi-
mated fuel space economized, steaming and speed
capacities increased strain boilers greatly de-
creased and clean ship assured at all times.
The crude oil OF parafin base Is particularly de-
sirable for fuel and the only obstacles to its uni
versai use are: % Difficulty In obtaining; (2) in
creased cost over coal. With the production OF
sufficient petroleum at reasonable cost there is
little doubt that every ship afoat will be event
ualiy equipped with oil burners and the coal CRATES
pass from use.
The United States navy has equipped the bat
teships Delaware. North Dakota. Utah. Florida.
Arkansas and wyoming with auxiliary provision
for from 400 to 600 tons Of fuel oil each
The new battleships under construction at
the Fore River Ship Building Company Phiiade
phia, for the Argentine government will also be
equipped for auxiliary oil capacities of 600 tons
each.
The usefulness Of petroleum is almost unlimited
Besides the many grades of gasolines. naphthas,
Illuminating oils, lubricating oils, parafln. and
greases obtained from the crude oil parafin base
filtered parafin resdues concentrated jeles
are also obtained These jellies universally
employed as therapeutic agents in diseases OF the
skin, as basis In the manufacture of medicated
ointments for general household use, and also in
the compoundins Of shoe and metal polishes.