654 TRANSACTIONg OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



boil at 100°; and out of that another could be separated which 

 would boil at 60°. The old genuine coal oil was safe enough, but 

 the mixtures now added made the oils volatile at a low tempera- 

 ture, like burning fluid. These mixtures were added because the 

 manufacturers had at present no other use for them. There 

 would be more explosions unless this adulteration was stopped. 



Mr. Dibben believed that this explosive kerosene was mixed 

 with alcohol. He had seen kerosene, so called, that was burned 

 in a lamp without a chimney. 



Mr. Stetson suggested a test of the explosive quality of oil. 

 If it would burn in an open dish or on clothing, it was dangerous. 



The Chairman stated that, within 12 or 18 months, petroleum 

 had entered very largely into the supply of kerosene. 



Mr. Wadsworth said that oil standing at 40° or 41° by Baume's 

 spirit test was not explosive. The mixture of petroleum made a 

 whiter and more handsome oil, but it was dangerous. Petroleum 

 sometimes ranged as high as 47°, and was therefore explosive. If 

 the oil could be lighted with a match, like alcohol, it was explo- 

 sive. 



The Chairman said that camphene was not of itself explosive, 

 only when mixed with alcohol. 



Mr. Seely. — Explosion is produced by rapid burning. If you 

 could burn a stick of wood in an instant, it would make a report 

 like a 64-pounder. The reason why burning fluid explodes is, it 

 volatilizes and mixes with air. Heat sperm oil sufficiently, and 

 it will explode. 



STEEL PLATED SHIPS. 



Mr. Dibben. — We have heard full descriptions of the wonderful 

 structures La Gloire and Warrior, lately built by the French and 

 English. But I desire to call your attention to the fact that these 

 are but imitations of the ship or battery of the late Eobert L. 

 Stevens ; and although our press has ridiculed the latter by na- 

 ming it Stevens' Folly, The JYondescript, &c., yet, from a limited 

 knowledge of this nondescript, I believe that it would be more 

 than a match for either of the former. As early as 1838, Mr. 

 Stevens submitted to the United States government plans for a 

 ship similar to the present structure, to be used for the defence 

 of New York harbor, to be shot proof against the heaviest naval 

 guns then in use (64-lb. shot) ; but shortly after this the United 

 States navy adopted 10-inch guns, capable of throwing round 



