1 14 Experiments on Calming the Waves of the Sea, 



litres (upwards of 3 imperial gallons) ; the tide was flowingj 

 and would not reach its full height till 21 minutes past eleven 

 o'clock. 



The Commissioners who remained on the shore not having 

 remarked any effect which could be ascribed to the effusion of 

 the oil, and the same thing being the case with those engaged 

 in pouring it, we might already consider the question, if oil 

 poured at a little distance from our piers could protect them 

 from the fury of the waves, as answered in the negative; 

 Nevertheless, the Commissioners thought it incumbent upon 

 them to make a second trial at a somewhat greater distance 

 from the shore. Two of them were rowed beyond the rocks, 

 and then cast anchor. 



The distance was calculated by the boatmen at 300 yards ; 

 the sounding line indicated a depth of about three yards ; and 

 the waves were rolling considerably. More than the half of 

 15 litres of oil was poured out in the space of five minutes 

 (from 15 to 10 minutes before 12 o'clock), and the Commis- 

 sioners did not observe the slightest eifect in relation to the 

 object of their mission. They saw the oil swimming on the 

 surface of the water, partly united in spots of an irregular 

 form, partly extended and forming a pellicle, and partly 

 mingling with the foam of the waves, and sharing in their 

 oscillatory movements. 



When returning to the shore, at the moment of passing the 

 rocks, the Commissioners caused the rest of the oil to be poured 

 on the water, and they can testify that it had no effect in di- 

 minishing the motion of the waves, for they were many times 

 abundantly sprinkled with the spray. It is unnecessary to add, 

 that those who remained on land, had remarked nothing at 

 all which could be attributed to the effusion of the oil. 



After all that has been said and written on this subject, the 

 Commissioners are astonished at the negative result of their 

 experiments, and, limiting themselves to the account of them, 

 they add no observations. They believe themselves, however, 

 authorized to assert, as their personal opinion, that the idea 

 of protecting our piers by means of oil, is not a happy one.* 



* From Annales de Chimie et Physique. T. vii. p. 371. — The experimenta 

 appear to have been conducted on too small a scale to afford satisfactory results. 

 — Edit. 



