"otnmbrd" wrote
I don't think it's still required, but when I first started sailing a
"Storm Oil" container was part of the lifeboat equipment. The oil itself
was either fish oil or vegetable oil and carried in a conical container
with petcocks at either end. This container was inserted into the sea
anchor which was also cone shaped with the apex cut out to accept it.
Never had to try it, but the affect was supposedly to calm the surface of
the seas you were encountering (as someone else has said).
Was actually on one ship which had a "storm oil" tank located in the bow
which was piped to drain over the side.
BTW, fish oil is still in use and acceptable (needs to be certified
"pure") though mainly used to lubricate and to a degree maintain, anchor
chain.

Still believe in utter nonsense now that your older, OTN?
All ya have to do is think, man. The wind builds up large seas. They get big enough
the wind causes the crests to topple over. Stopping the wind is the only way to make the
seas go down. A little oil spread in a local area only makes the surface smoother. It
doesn't do anything about the size of the waves. Duh! It's the size of the waves that
makes them break. Not the ripples and ruffles on the surface.
Oil doesn't calm the seas. Oil only smooths the surface of the seas.

http://www.geocities.com/nelstomlins....appendix.html

exerpted: "20. The Effect Of Oil On Breaking Seas In Heavy Gales, And What Kind May Be Expected To Give The Best Result.
"If a vessel is hove to in the proper way under a sea anchor and riding sail she will only ship spray even in the
worst of gales. I was never particular about a few drops of water taken over, and therefore in small vessels, with a few
exceptions for experimenting purposes, and while on the Sea Queen in the first stage of the typhoon, I hardly ever used
oil during my cruises. However, throughout my five years of sealing in the North I employed oil on many different
occasions, and have found that that obtained from the fat of hair seals, fur seals, and sea lions gave the best results.
Next to this comes fish oil, which is nearly as satisfactory. The former is difficult to procure, while fish oil may be
bought in almost any port.
"To utilise a small quantity of oil to best advantage proceed as follows: A canvas bag a little smaller than a
fifty-pound flour bag is loaded with loose oakum, woollen rags or waste until about three parts full. A few small holes
are then punched through the bag and the whole is saturated with oil and tied up. After securing a lanyard and adding a
weight to prevent the bag from being blown back again, put it over the rail and lower to the water level; then make
fast.
"If your vessel is lying to a sea anchor and head on to the sea, put the bag over the bow. If she is hove to under
storm sails and makes a square drift, or nearly so, put it over the weather bow. If the vessel be a long one, place one
bag near the fore- and another one near the after- rigging.
"A ship's lifeboat loaded with passengers and hove to under sea anchor and riding sail with the additional help of
such an oil bag will lay dry and comfortable. On the other hand, when a vessel is lying to under storm sails or steam,
and reaches ahead, oil will be useless. It is only good, and certainly works wonders) when a vessel is allowed to drift
along with the wind and sea.
"Oil will also render good service in case of large vessels running straight before a bad sea. One bag is placed on
each side of the forward end while a long bight of a large rope is payed out over the stern and dragged along. By
allowing the vessel to go slow under small sail, or, still better, under bare poles, she is in this way quite safe and
may keep running before almost any gale as long as she steers well. The same course, when followed in the case of small
vessels, will likewise prove a great help. However, if you want to be on the safe side, "heave to.""

Cheers,
Ellen