Wyckoff.] *>86 [April 2, 



haps the rapid passenger steamers of the Atlantic, assume one of these 

 two positions in a storm, the oil is of very general application. Even the 

 fast passenger steamers, in crossing to the eastward before the winter 

 gales, or when, for any reason, their machinery is stopped, will find it 

 invaluable in saving their boats and upper works. Many vessels have 

 found it of great utility, in passing the dreaded trough of the sea, either in 

 heaving to or getting before the wind. 



The ordinary methods adopted for distributing the oil are : to pour it 

 down the pipes forward, or place oil alone, or oil and oakum, in canvas 

 bags with holes punched in them, or in bags made of coarse material, as 

 gunny or corn sacks. These are hung over the ship's side wherever 

 required. In my opinion, the bags should always be placed over the 

 bows ; as in running, there is time for the oil to spread, and when lying to, 

 it is needed as far forward as possible. From the reports received, I 

 should judge that one gallon of oil, when properly distributed, should 

 last a vessel at least four hours. 



In lowering a boat in 'a sea-way, oil is of great advantage. If to rescue 

 the crew of a disabled vessel, the rescuer should take a position to wind- 

 ward, and distribute a quantity of oil. After the boats have been started, 

 the rescuing vessel should drop to leeward to pick them up. The boats 

 should carry oil to use in running before the sea. 



A bottle of oil, with a quill in the cork, should always be kept attached 

 to every life buoy. When a man falls overboard and reaches the life 

 buoy, the oil will prevent the waves breaking over him, and enable the 

 rescuing boat to find him, by the "slick " on the water. There should be 

 an oil tank in every ship's boat, in the event of it becoming necessary to 

 abandon the vessel. Riding to a drogue, made of the masts or oars, a 

 small expenditure of oil will enable a boat to live through a severe 

 storm. 



At the entrance of a harbor, or river with a deep bar, oil can be used 

 to great advantage, as has been proven by the experiments in England. 

 When, however, the waves strike a beach, the problem becomes very dif- 

 ferent. The base of the wave is then retarded by the shoaling depth and 

 the undertow from its predecessor, and, of necessity, the crest is thrown 

 violently forward. Oil cannot prevent this; but it will certainly have 

 considerable effect upon the outer line of breakers, and enable a boat to 

 approach so much nearer the beach, as to greatly increase the chances of 

 a favorable issue. However, many instances are given of the successful 

 landing of boats, through surf and breakers, that would have overwhelmed 

 them without the use of oil. 



I append some illustrations of the practical use of oil, in some of the 

 emergencies to which I have referred. 



In 1881, a Mr. Fondacaro arrived at Naples from Montevideo, in a three- 

 ton boat built by himself. When caught in a gale, a bag was thrown over 

 as a drag ; and two oil bags were put over, one forward and the other aft. 

 The oil circled around the boat, and prevented the seas breaking over her. 



