The Sea and the Soul
(Sea-Calming Oil)
By J. Brad Chapman
2nd Nephi 18:21 .
. . and after I had prayed, the wind did cease,
and the storms did cease, and there was a
great calm . . .
The Mariner's Dictionary - By Gershom Bradford
Sea Calming Oil:
Oil used for spreading on the sea in heavy weather to prevent or
reduce the breaking crests. Vegetable or fish oils are better than mineral oils
for this purpose. It was used as early as the 5th century.
Oil Bag:
A contrivance from which oil is allowed to drip slowly and
spread on the surface of the sea in order to form a slick and reduce the seas.
When the sailors of old plied the wide,
open deep,
in tempests of trea-cherous degree,
with fierce rage in the wind, and dark fear
in their hearts,
they sought ways to calm the rough sea.
It’s the spindrift that blows from the
crest of the waves
that blinds eyes, causing brave men to
fret,
and the breakers that roll o’er the
storm-tossed deck,
washing men overboard - that’s the threat.
So,
. . with a bag poked with holes,
filled with oil that drips,
slowly coating the face of the sea,
it then causes the breakers and mist to
subside
it affects surface tension, you see.
Now men through the ages have diligently
sought
to quell the harsh seas of this life,
by reducing the sadness, the troubles, the
hate,
the
evil; so pervasive and rife.
Turbulent, buffeted, tormented, distressed,
these are words of the sea and the soul.
but there‘s a solution, like spreading the oil,
that helps soothe, comfort and console.
Prayer is the tool, that God-fearing men use,
to put joy and peace in their lives,
like sea-calming oil, which coating the soul
lessens the hardships and strife.
The effectual prayer of a righteous man, (James 5:16)
availeth much, so you see,
a just, upright life, that is moral and pure,
is a heart-felt prayer’s best guarantee. (D & C 100:15)
So, . . . kneel down on the deck, with firm grip on
the rail,
head bowed in meek humility,
remember that oft, life’s sore tempests and trials,
prove our worthiness and sanctity. (D & C 101:4)
Yes, the prayer of the righteous, is His delight, (Proverbs 15:8)
so scanning this life’s ruckus sea,
pray to the Father with real intent,
you’ll “endure well” storms He may decree. (D & C 121:8)
(Psalms 107: 23-31)
He’ll strengthen you, guide you, and cause you to stand,
on the voyages you choose to
embark,
He’ll steer you ‘round obstacles and treacherous shoals,
if to His charts (the scriptures) you’ll hark.
So, . . . with stout-hearted Amen, resolve now to “sail on”,
with prayer - like oil, smoothing the sea.
Square you shoulders to windward, like a brave mariner:
Destination? . . . Eternity! (Moses 1:39)
Grey
River Argus (Newspaper
in New Zealand)
Issue
4867
1
May, 1884
OIL ON
TROUBLED WATERS
The steam
whaler Jan Mayen, which left Dundee on the 4th of February to
proceed to the New Foundland seal fishing, arrived at Lerwick on Sunday, having
been unable to proceed on her voyage owing to stormy weather. On Monday, the 18th,
the vessel encountered a hurricane, in which she was thrown on her beam ends
and would, it is believed by her crew, have foundered had not the use of oil been
resorted to. Three bags filled with oakum saturated in oil were hung over the
side of the vessel, and in a brief space the sea, which had been washing
completely over the ship, ceased to break. The captain attributes the safety of
the vessel to this experiment.
Grey River Argus
Issue 6042
31 January 1888
OIL FOR QUELLING AN ANGRY SEA
OIL FOR QUELLING AN ANGRY SEA
A frequent cause of disaster to ships is the breaking of seas
over them, and on this point the Hydrographer of the
United States has published within the last two years, in
pamphlet form, digested from the ‘Monthly Chart,’ a list of
120 authenticated cases in which furious seas were
allayed by the use of oil, the latest proof of which is
furnished by Captain Wales, of the British steamer New
Guinea, as follows: - “In January of the present year,
making passage from Baltimore to Antwerp, encountered a
very heavy western gale, accompanied by a tremendous
sea. Considerable damage had been done to boats and about
the decks by the sea coming over the side, and the captain,
wishing to avoid heaving the vessel to if possible, decided to
try the effects of oil, his attention having been called to it by
the perusal of printed accounts. Two men were stationed
forward – one at each closet – with ordinary soup and bully
cans filled with raw linseed oil, the bottoms of the cans
having been punched with two or three small holes. The oil
was allowed to trickle into the bowl and then into the sea,
with what seemed to the captain a wonderful effect. The oil-
slick extended well out on either quarter, and so far astern
that not a single sea broke on board after the use of the oil
was begun.” The captain described the manner in which the
great white crested seas would come roaring after the ship,
as if they would sweep her decks fore and aft; and how, on
meeting the oil-slick, the crest of the sea would apparently
be shattered into fine spray, and nothing left of the
tremendous breaker but an enormous swell, over which the
vessel rode easily and without taking a drop of water. The
captain gave his personal attention to the expenditure of
oil, regulating its flow by stopping one or more of the holes
in the can when more than was necessary ran out, and in
this way he succeeded in making seven gallons of oil last
twenty-four hours. All this time his decks were almost
absolutely dry, the only water coming on board being the
fine spray from the crest of each wave as it came into
contact with the oil-slick, and was blown on board by the
wind. Captain Wales adds that he makes a point of using oil
when even not absolutely necessary, as it adds so much to
the comfort of all on board, and eases the ship. It would
seem to be the part of discretion, that the question of the
use of oil in some cases is finally settled, that all ships are
regularly equipped with appliances for spreading oil on the
water, just as they are expected to carry lights and
compasses. “Storm breakers” – appliances for the
distribution of oil – have been patented both home and
abroad, and are now used by other carrying steamers and
some other vessels. Special oil is now manufactured for this
purpose. – Forum, for November.
Grey River
Argus
Issue 4879
14 May, 1884
(page 2)
Oiling The
Water
New
Plymouth, May 14.
A
strong N.E. wind blowing caused a very rough sea this morning, and as the
steamer Hawea kept well out, the boatmen had a difficulty in tendering
her. On returning with passengers a
small stream of oil was allowed to flow from a can, which, prevented the sea
breaking over the boat, and it came ashore in almost calm water. This is the
first time oil has been tried in subduing the sea here.
Whale Hunt
Nelson
Cole Haley
from a voyage on the Charles W. Morgan from 1849 to 1853
.
. . .
the whale made us a good lee, the oil from his wounds made the water
smooth, and no seas broke around us .
. . .
Page 201
“Owing to
the oil and blood from the wounds in the whale
spreading
over the water, the sea to the windward did not break;
but outside of the slick that the whale made,
the sea
was breaking with a roar of fury.”
Page 202