| Description | In two parts.
1. A letter to James Riddel from Francis Burnett: "Dear Sir, I take the liberty of enclosing copy of result of a trial of cocoa-nut oil on board a steam boat, this was handed me by a gentleman from Ceylon [Sri Lanka] where the (?) is manufactured to some extent- if further trial should confirm this statement great advantage may be got from its use, I will be obliged by your taking this into consideration and if you will give it a trial in the Paul Jones or dredging machine, will send you a jar of the poil free of expense, and am yours truly, Francis Burnett. P.S. as I am uncertain where to apply on this subject, will thank you to hand this to the right person if I am mistaken in sending it to you."
2. Result of a Trial of Cocoa-Nut Oil on board a Steam Vessel of 100 Horse Power: "The vessel previously used 15 gallons of fine whale oil per week. The consumption of cocoa-nut oil was only 10 gallons for oiling the engine, stuffing boxes, lamps etc. The engineer reports that the oil is unobjectionable for these purposes and recommends it as first- being in a congealed state when received, the loss by leakage or spilling is avoided. Secondly, where required for use the heat of the engine room near the fireplace keeps the oil in the cans in a fluid state fit for oiling the engines, and the droppings as the engines go round congealing as they fall are easily collected and fit for the stuffing boxes or being melted again, may be poured off into the oil can for use as before, this occasions the great saving as to the quantity consumed, as the droppings of the whale oil are lost. Thirdly, for lamps the oil burns quicker than whale oil but it burning like a gas light, one light is equal to two, this being no (?) from the cocoa-nut oil- it is preferable on that account. Fourthly, the engineer thinks cocoa-nut oil and Galipoli oil mixed on a (?) for all purposes when there is friction. Fifthly, the cocoa-nut oil would answer better than any other for locomotive engines because as it congeals it will hang on better- calculation of saving: 15 gallons of whale oil per week at 5/. per fall £195 per annum. 10 gallons of cocoa-nut oil at 3/. per gallon, saving on a vessel of 100 horse power near 60%." |