Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1911-09-15

iustahla line and connected with a heavy OF
beam driven by engine which continually
raises and releases the arms and permits the drill
to fall with great force into the hole. With each
drop and by its own weight the drill literally
brushes 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 is own 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 we'll is then cased
with iron piping known as lining" and pump
inserted.
In the old days each well was pumped separ-
ately, but the industry is conducted upon such
an economic and scientific basis that the wells are
pumped in groups by veritable network of con.
Meeting rods extending the fields and driven
by an engine in centralized station.
In some districts the oil fields have been prac.
tically 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 effectually solved and the industry
placed upon conservative and economic basis.
The total flow of oil in the United States for
the year 1859, the first OF which any official record
has been kept, amounted to only 1000 barrels.
For the year 1909 the production estimated by
David T Day of the United States Geological Sur
yey amounted to about 17S.000.O00 barrels, which.
II placed in a single body, would be sufficient to
float a gigantic feet of 935 Dreadnought battle
ships of the new 26000-ton Arkansas type of the
United States Navy.
Gradually the oil derrick wended its way from
q northeasterly to southwesterly direction, and the
petroleum industry was extended over vast terri
tory.
During the year 1908 there 5000 wells
sunk in the United States. OF which but 32l4 were
dry.
Extensive experiments have been conducted to
determine the value of petroleum fuel for power
plants as well for the navy and merchant ma
rine especially in England and the United States.
Numerous merchant vessels have been fully
eouipped for burning oil fuel and, by practical
test il has been determined that oil will evaporate
30 per cent more water per pound than COAL is
easier to handle and stow offers no difficulty in
burning and in its use, time formerly wasted in
coaing and in useless labor Is saved smoke ehmi-
mated fuel space economical. 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
yersal use are: 1) 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 a1oat win be event
uay equipped with oil burners and the coal CRATES
pass from use
The United States navy mas equipped the PAT.
teships Delaware, North Dakota Utah, Florida.
Arkansas and wyoming with auxiliary provision
for from 400 to 600 tons Of fuel oil each.
The new batteships now under construction at
the Fore River Ship Building Company, Philadel-
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 lubrcating oils, parafHn. and
greases obtained from the crude oil parafhn base.
filtered parafin residues concentrated jellies
are also obtained. These jellies are universally
employed as therapeutic agents in diseases OF the
skin. as a basis in the manufacture of medicated
ointments for general household use. and also IN
the compromising Of shoe and metal polishes