Shaun Van Poecke wrote:
Ive read a few accounts, mainly from around 1900, of people using oil to
calm the seas.

In detail, the oil was usually some sort of fish oil, or oil from a seal or
such and was put into a hessian bag or similar filled with rags. The 'oil
bag' was then tied to the vessel and thrown overboard. Ive only ever read
of it being done while hove to.

Has anyone ever seen or heard of this being done in modern times? I really
cant understand the logic behind it or see what it would to so calm seas....
any enlightenment welcomed ;-)

Shaun

Greetings Shawn;

It's a fact and works well in a localized area. Once while sunning
nude on deck with a sexy young lady we ended up slathering each other
and the decks with almost a gallon of Panama Jack's coconut baby oil.
We noticed abaft the beam in the direction of the current we caused a
nice rainbow oil sheen and the waves were noticeably less excited. Plus
some dolphins jumped and played in the sheen without harm.

Try it some day, but only use the proper oil.

Capt. American