Xerotine siccative
Xerotine siccative was an oil drying agent used in the late 19th century. It is a type of terebene; unlike standard terebenes, xerotine siccative doesn't become cloudy when mixed in an oil.[1] Replacing boiled oil, xerotine siccative was mixed with paint in order to speed up the drying process;[1] however, its use ceased when it was discovered to be highly flammable.[2]
The dangerous qualities of xerotine siccative were first discovered in an investigation of a small explosion on HMS Cockatrice in 1881.[3] In November of the same year there was an explosion on HMS Triumph which killed three men and wounded seven more.[3]
Name
The words "xerotine" and "siccative" each mean "drier" in Greek and Latin respectively.[4]: 314
Uses
As an oil dryer, xerotine siccative was mixed with oil based paints in order to speed the drying time of the paint.[1]
Initial investigations
The first evidence that xerotine siccative was a chief agent in the explosions of these ships[clarification needed] came from an investigation done on Cockatrice. It was discovered that prior to the explosion, a man entered the ship's storeroom with an open flame, which he held next to an uncorked can of xerotine siccative.[3] Harry T. Grenfell reported that xerotine siccative had been supplied to the ship as a harmless substance and as a result, no precautions were taken towards it.[5] Subsequent inquiries into an explosion aboard Triumph and HMS Doterel revealed that both resulted from explosions due to xerotine siccative.[6]
After it was revealed that Triumph exploded as a result of gas generated by xerotine siccative, W.B. Baird, carpenter of Doterel, testified that he was supplied with the agent in an earthenware jar.[5] He also stated that the painter of the ship reported that the jar had been damaged and was leaking and was ordered to dispose of the jar by throwing it overboard; shortly thereafter the explosion aboard Doterel occurred.[5]
Results
In 1883, a committee, appointed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, released a report on the explosive power of xerotine siccative.[5] Once the danger of xerotine siccative became known, the Commanders-in-Chief at the home ports and foreign stations and the Superintendents of the Dockyards were warned not to issue the substance to any future ships.[5] All ships were also required to return any quantity of xerotine siccative that they had on board.[5] At the same time, orders were given for the entire supply in store and on ships to be destroyed.[5]
The
After the investigations, the use of boiled oil was once again employed.[2]
Composition and flammability
Xerotine siccative contains kerosene as an ingredient.[7] The most volatile substances in xerotine siccative were found to freely evaporate between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.[7] Further, xerotine siccative contained Benzoline, which is very volatile at room temperature.[4]: 671 Benzoline is flammable when it is present at one part benzoline vapor to 60 parts air and explosive when present at one part vapor to 30 parts air.[4]: 671 On 2 October 1874, Benzoline was found to be the cause of an explosion on the canal boat Tilsbury.[4]: 671 When the fumes were contained in an enclosed space, the behavior of the gas became similar to that of coal gas and could produce a similarly violent explosion.[7]
Known explosions
- Coquimbo (June 1880)[3]
- HMS Doterel (26 April 1881)[3]
- HMS Cockatrice (May 1881),[3] Britomart-class steam gunboat
- HMS Triumph-2 (November 1881) [3][8]
Xerotine siccative was also considered as a potential cause of the explosion which sank
References
- ^ a b c "Composition And Classification Of Driers". A Treatise On Architecture And Building Construction Vol4: Plumbing And Gas-Fitting, Heating And Ventilation, Painting And Decorating, Estimating And Calculating Quantities. Colliery Engineer Co. 1899. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ^ a b "The Age". The Age, Melbourne, Victoria. 26 February 1884.
- ^ PMID 17792856. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Parliament of Britain (1883). "Admiralty Instructions of June 1881 as to Xerotine Siccative". House of Commons Papers. 17. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
- ^ Michael W. Pocock. "Daily Event for April 26". Maritime Quest. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "Xerotine Siccative And Gas In Coal Bunkers". Bay Of Plenty Times. 11 March 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ "Explosion on H.M.S. Triumph 1882". Old Mersey Times. Retrieved 25 April 2012.