Gilpin observer., 1911-09-14

inst Ia line
heam driven by an engine which continually
raises and releases the and permits the driii
TO fall with great force into the hole. With eacn
drop and by its own weight, the drill hteraiiy
crushes and pulverizes the rock into sand, which
ia removed with sand pump from time to ume
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 a crevice is struck in the ROCK the
oil ia frequently brought to the surface by the
force of its 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 blast the well,
and thus increase the supply. After the drilling
and blasting are completed, the well is then cased
with iron piping known lining" and a pump
inserted
In the old days each well pumped separ-
ately but the industry is now conducted upon such
an economic and scientific basis that the wells are
pumped in groups by veritable network OF con-
Meeting rods, extending over the fields and driven
by an engine in a centralized station.
In some 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 effectually solved and the industry
placed upon conservative and economic basis
The total flow Of oil In the United states Ior
the year 1852 the first of which any ofhcial record
For the year 1909 the production as estimated BY
David T Day vi the United States Geological Sur
vey amounted to about 17S,o0oo0o barrels. which,
II placed in single body. would be sufhcient to
float gigantic fleet of 935 Dreadnought battle
ships of the new 26 OOO-ton Arkansas type Of the
United States Navy.
Gradually the oil derrick wended its way from
a portheasterly to southwestery 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 1924 were
dry.
Extensive experiments have been conducted 10
determine the value OF petroleum as fuel for power
plants as we'll as for the navy and merchant ma
rine especially in England and the United States.
Numerous merchant vessels have been fully
euuipped for burning oil fuel. and, by practical
test II has been determined that oil Will evaporate
,o ner cent more water per pound than COAL ID
easier to handle and stow offers no dimculty In
burning, and. in its use, time formerly wasted In
coalipg and in useless labor is saved smoke elimi-
mated fuel space economized. steaming and speed
capacities Increased strain boilers greatly de-
creased. and a clean ship assured at all times.
The crude oil Of parafin base is particularly do
sirable for fuel and the only obstacles to Its uni
versal are: u) Dihculty In obtaining; t2) In.
creared cost over coal. With the production Of
suficient petroleum at reasonable cost, there ID
little doubt that every ship aioat will be event
ually equipped with oil burners and the coal CRATES
pass from use.
The United States navy mas equipped the Dat
tleships Delaware. North Dakota Utah. Florida.
Arkansas and Wyoming with auxiliary provision
for from 400 to 500 tons of fuel oil each.
The new battleships now under construction at
the Fore River Ship Building Company. Philadel-
phia, for the Argentine government, will also be
eouipped for auxiliary oil capacities Of 600 tons
each.
The usefulness OF petroleum Ii almost unlimited.
Eesides the many grades Of gasolines, naphthas.
Illuminating oils, lubrcating oils. parafnn. and
oht fuah frofr1 tha n n
uttered parafin residues or concentrated jellies.
are also obtained. These jeles universally
employed a. therapeutic agents in diseases Of the
akin % q basis in the manufacture OF medlcated
ointmsnts for general household use, and also in
the compounding Of shoe and metal polishes.