Pouring Oil On Breaking Seas

Some expenments have been made at the site of the proposed harbor of ref uge at Dungeness Point, by Captain the Hon. H. W. Cbetwynd, R. N., district inspector of lifeboats, to test the value of oil in calming rough water. There was a sufflciently heavy sea at the time of the experiment to endanger a small open boat, and the Dungeness lifeboat, the David Halett, was launched, and anchored in five fathoms of water. A small canvas bag, coutaining about half a gallon of oil, and pierced with several holes with a large needie, was attached to the anchor as a buoy. This had the effect of producing a space of atill water spreading frona the buoy to a diatance of about twenty yards wide.and of considerable length. Every breaking sea that reached the oily surface immediately feil dead, and passed by in a harmless roll. The trials are considered satisfactory, but not conclusive, and it is stated that they wil] be contiuued. A correspondent at Newcastle states that the ltiver Tyne Commissioneers are about to ereot in connection witb the harbor works now being carried on at Tynemouth a iramber of oil tanks, so that oil can, when necessary, be used to prevent the sea breaking against the north pier at the entrance to the