Phenix Gazette

By the term Bilge Water, I understand that portion of water, which, by the unavoidable leakage of a ship, lodges upon the bilge, or flat portion of the bottom, and which cannot, or does not, find its way to the pumps.

This water, by stagnation, by the heat of the ship, and by admixture with foreign substances derived from the cargo, undergoes fermentation, and sends forth copious volumes of fetid gases. I do not know that this offensive air has ever been the subject of a special examination; but there can be no doubt that it consists chiefly of a mixture of carbonic acid, and of carburetted and sulphuretted hydrogen gases. The elements of these gases are all found in sea water, but without fermentation they would not be elicited. It is the latter only which has a decidedly fetid odour. The second is unpleasant merely to the senses. The first has no smell; but when breathed, it is suffocating. It is questionable, however, whether the first and second of these airs extend in any considerable proportion to the cabin and upper portions of the ship. The sulphuretted hydrogen, even in extremely small quantities, is highly offensive, and when taken into the lungs, its effects are depressing and even dangerous.

In seeking for a remedy for the bad effects of bilge water, the first care should be so to construct the bottom or bilge of the ship as to cause all the water, if possible, to flow to the pumps, that none may be left to ferment. But as this, in spite of every precaution, may in many cases be impracticable, the next care must be, to counteract the smell, or in other words to absorb or to decompose the noxious effluvia. The most effectual remedy ever found for the gases which arise from putrefactive fermentation is Chlorine. Fumigations with this powerful substance have been found sufficient to destroy every vestige of putrescent odor in confined places where it was too strong to be endured. It is, however, inconvenient, and sometimes impossible, to employ fumigations to much extent in the cabin of a ship where passengers are necessarily confined. The Chlorine in itself is offensive and dangerous. The solution of it in water, (obtained by diffusing the Chloride of Lime in that fluid,) is the next best form in which it can be employed. For some purposes, indeed, the use of the solution is preferable to the fumigation; as in cleansing and purifying all the wooden & other parts of the ships, clothes, ropes, &c. to which infectious matter may have adhered. If a portion of the solution be left in an open vessel in the cabin, and especially if it be gently heated, the gaseous chlorine will be gradually diffused through the apartment, and this can be done, (in case the bilge water should be very troublesome,) as far as the passengers can bear it.

I do not suppose it would be possible to convey Chloride of Lime in powder to the bottom of the ship, so as to mix it with the bilge water. This would defeat the object. But if spread on floors or shelves where the bilge water effluvium is the strongest, it would tend much to counteract the evil; but as it soon loses its strength when thus exposed, and is rather expensive, it would be well to use pure lime, slacked with just water enough to cause it to fall into powder,--(or if thinly spread unslacked it might be as well.) This would absorb large quantities of the sulphuretted hydrogen, between which and lime there is a strong attraction. All the alkalies and alkaline solutions have an affinity for this gas of putrefaction. Hence potash or pearl ash, and washing with their solutions, would be useful. The same of soda and its solutions. But the least offensive remedy of all is the free use of Ammonia, or spirit of hartshorn. I would therefore recommend, that in all cases in which passengers are ill and distressed with the smell of bilge water, that considerable quantities of this pungent, but agreeable gas (Ammonia) should be set free in the cabin, or near the patient's berth. For this purpose the ship should be provided with a quantity (say half a dozen pounds) of sal-ammoniac, and a keg or cask of good quick lime. Pulverise in a mortar half a tea cup full of the sal-ammoniac, and (separately) twice or thrice as much of the lime.-- When well powdered mix them and rub them well together in the mortar, Put the mixed powder in a tin or other basin and heat it gradually over a chafing dish of coals, placed as near the patient as is convenient. The spirit of hartshorn rising from the powders, will in all probability completely overcome the sulphuretted hydrogen, and free the cabin or a considerable time from its odor. When this process, from violent motion of the ship, or other causes, cannot be resorted to, a free use of the smelling bottle may prove an alleviation. A wide mouthed bottle containing carbonate of Ammonia should therefore be in possession of her or him who anticipates increased illness from the effects of bilge water.

It will be in the power of a commander to make such a choice of these remedies as circumstances may dictate. A ship should never, in my opinion, be unprovided with chloride of lime. Its use, as a corrective of infectious and putrid, or miasmatic effluvia so incident to hot climates, and so injurious to navigation, is now beginning to be well understood by Navigators; and it may I think be hailed as one of the truly beneficial applications of science to the useful arts.