28 SCIENCE IX SHORT CHAPTERS. 



Further experiments have been made at Peterliead since the 

 above was written. The following account, from the Times, 

 of those made on February 27th, 1882, is interesting : 



" On Monday the long-wished-for easterly gale to test the 

 experiment of throwing oil on the troubled waters reached 

 Peterliead. It may be mentioned that the Harbor of Peter- 

 head is singularly exposed, and with an east or north-east gale 

 is very dangerous of approach. Mr. Shields, of Perth, has laid 

 the oil apparatus to be used in quelling the troubled waters. 



; It consists of an iron pipe which conveys oil and extends from 

 a wooden house behind the sea-wall at Roanhead down 

 through a natural gullet in the rocks about 150 yards long and 

 about 50 yards beyond the mouth of the gullet into about 

 seven fathoms of water ; at this point the iron pipe is joined 

 to a gutta-percha pipe, which 'extends across the harbor 

 entrance outside the bar and is perforated at distances 12- 

 yards apart. Through the gutta-percha pipe the oil reaches the 

 sea. On Monday the wind was not so strong as to make the 

 experiment so complete as could have been wished ; still there 

 was a heavy swell. Early in the forenoon the pumps were 

 put in motion and the leakage space in the pipe filled ; but 

 unfortunately it was found, soon after the oil began to rise to 

 the surface of the bay, that the supply in the cask had become 

 exhausted, and those who were conducting the experiment did 

 not consider themselves at liberty to order a fresh cask of oil 

 without Mr. Shields's sanction. But while the experiment was 

 only partial it was highly satisfactory. At the same time, the 

 film did not extend sufficiently far to prevent the waves form- 

 ing and curving to broken water. As soon, however, as they 

 reached the oil -covered neck the observers from the pier-head 

 could easily discern the influence at work. Waves which 

 came in crested gradually assumed the shape of undulating 

 bodies of water, and, once formed, they rolled unbroken 

 toward the breakwater. On Wednesday morning there was 

 a heavy sea at the north breakwater. The oil valves were 

 'opened, and immediately the effect was manifest. The waves, 



i which had before dashed with fury against the breakwater, 

 assumed a rolling motion, and were quite crestless. Indeed, 

 it was admitted that the oil had rendered the entrance com- 

 paratively safe, but the effect was not so abiding as could have 

 been wished." 



As regards the want of duration there noted, I venture to 

 make a suggestion. 



