Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

ENGINEERING IN THE WORLD’S OIL FIELDS. 339 its use still further. Where the natural pres- sure does not suffice to drive the gas through the mains, pumps are resorted ^Gas^ Originally, the “ rock pressure ” in the West Virgin- ian territory was sufficient to force the gas some 180 miles to Cleveland, 40,000,000 cubic feet passing daily through the 16-incli main. Now extensive pumping stations are required to deal with the gas. In the earlier days of the industry oil was carried across the water in barrels. But now tanks by substantial bulkheads or coffer- dams. Since “oil-tankers” have to pass through tropical seas to cold regions, ex- pansion trunks are fitted to all the storage compartments or tanks, so that the oil may have room for expansion and contraction. In the spring of 1909 the world’s oil tank steamships represented a gross tonnage of 700,000, to say nothing of a number of sailing ships. , Oil transport on the Caspian Sea and Volga is so interesting a subject that some reference SECTION OF AN OIL “ TANKER ” BUILT ON THE SWAN PRINCIPLE. Oil Tank Ships. the tank steamer has completely ousted the barrel for sea transport. So long ago as 1869 a small ship was fitted with tanks and employed in the crude oil traffic between America and Europe. Nine years later Nobels, the greatest oil producers in Russia, ordered a steam tank ship for the Caspian Sea service, and general attention began to be directed to the construction of ocean-going steamships capable of conveying large bulk cargoes of oil with safety. Distinguished naval architects have gradually increased the size and speed of such ships. Only the best workmanship is permissible in a tank ship, as a small leak resulting from a strain might endanger the vessel. Suitable ventilation to prevent ac- cumulation of gas must be provided, and the engine-rooms are carefully isolated from the to it should be made. The internal market of Russia is supplied by taking oil across the Caspian in tank ships to the mouth of the great river Volga, and thence by barges to the towns along its banks and through the canals which connect up the main waterways of Russia. The cheapness of oil fuel has led to the establishment of important industries in the Volga regions, where each year more than 5,000,000 tons of the oil are consumed. Although the Southern Caspian Sea is never frozen, and the winter temperature is usually pleasant, extreme cold is experienced in the Northern Caspian, and the sea is frozen up from November i i Floating; to February every year, and ~ J J J Town, navigation is at a standstill. Consequently, the winter stocks of oil which accumulate at Baku have to be hurried north-