602 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION H. 



8.— THE DESIGN OF TURBINES. 



By B. A. SMITH, M.LC.E. 

 {"Withdrawn.) 



-o->.T^-o 



9.— AN ARCHITECTURE RACY OF THE SOIL. 

 By M. F. CAVANAGH, A.R.I. B.A. 



10.— A MEANS OF DISTRIBUTING OIL ON THE 

 SURFACE OF THE SEA. 



By THOMAS TURNBULL, A.I.M.E. 

 (Abstract.) 

 The paper describes the author's attempts to devise some means 

 whereby oil may be eas ly and efficaciously spread on the surface 

 of the sea in rough weather. His efforts have resulted in an 

 apparatus, consisting of a double cylinder of tin, or other light and 

 strong material, made to slip over an ordinary ship's rocket. The 

 annular space in the cylinder is VVin. wide ; the top end of the 

 cylinder is conical, with a diaphragm at the base of the cone, 

 communication being effected between the cone and the annular 

 space in the cylinder by means of perforations in the diaphragm. 

 The diaphragm has a slight bulge in its centre, the convexity of 

 which is towards the rocket. The lower end of the annular space 

 is filled with a light p'ug or cap, on which are soldered two eyes, 

 the latter being of such length that when placed on the rocket the 

 plug does not foul the rocket's stick. The ajiparatus is used as 

 follows : — An ordinary ship's rocket is taken and the head contain- 

 ing the stars and meal-powder is wrenched off, leaving the fuse 

 exposed ; a thimbleful of powder is placed over the fuse, and the 

 double-cylinder, called the " carrier," which has been filled with 

 oil (linseed oil preferably), is slipped over the- rocket; the plug in 

 the lower end is then made fast to the rocket stick by a wire or 

 wetted cord. When the rocket is fired the composition eventually 

 ignites the fuse at the point, Avhich in its turn explodes the powder, 

 and the gases of this drive the cylinder or "carrier" forward, 

 leaving the lower end free for the discharge of the oil ; the plug 

 remains behind, having been attached to the stick. The action of 

 the jiowder on the convex side of the diaphragm also aids the 

 release of the plug by forcing the oil against it. The author states 

 that he has, with an ordinary rocket, put the charge of oil 400 

 yards dead to windward in the teeth of half a gale. 



