In a message dated 4/22/2006 9:25:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
ynotink@msn.com writes:
55 gallons has long been a standard quantity for bulk distribution of
petroleum products, but 44 gallons has always been the standard measure for
crude oil as a commodity. It's a convention that probably has its roots in
pre-petroleum history. Anyone know how whale oil was measured?
------------------------------------------------
Bill--
A google search of "Whale Oil Barrels" led me to the www.energyadvocate.com
site which contained the following information regarding the whaling ship
Charles W. Morgan:
"On the Morganbs most successful voyage, the log book shows them b bringing
1935 barrels, having also sent home 2280 barrels.b [1] These are not the
standard 42-gallon barrels of todaybs petroleum business. They are, by my
estimate,
closer to 100 gallons."
So there you have it!
Best--Michael Oritt, 100 Le Mans
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