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Zi2 is lured to the decks of enterprising masters by white enamel, paint and varnish, and the wholesome conditions these ‘beautifying preservatives. create. And it is right there that the sagacity of the owner of vessels should exercise eternal vigilance and see to it that every item of marine property over which his command prevails, shall be kept in its highest state of beauty and utility by paint and varnish. Finally the continuing stability and sound condition of wood and metal marine equipment depend almost en- tirely upon paint and varnish skilfully and promptly applied whenever neces- sary. This of itself is insurance against the insidiously destructive ‘operation of the elements and a signal to passenger traffic that all is well aboard craft so attentively ship-shaped. Of the nature and technical uses of pigments and varnishes much of in- terest to marine men might be writ- ten. There is a considerable trade literature upon the subject. The ‘east known and perhaps most interesting of the group are the facts concerning the large number (200 or mcre) spe- cific varnishes manufactured for special uses. We hear of an all-around var- nish, that is, a varnish for every purpose; but varnish makers frankly state that there is no such product in its perfection and, in the nature of things, cannot be. There are, how- ever, very serviceable universal var- nishes which approximate the good qualities of many. The varieties of varnish must necessarily be as nu- merous as the arts and industries in which they are applied. These varie- ties are again subdivided into a long tine of special qualities for differing specific purposes. ‘The varnish on a gun barrel or the works of a Swiss watch are as different from the varnish on the outside of a Pullman car or a transatlantic steamship, as champagne differs from port wine. What Varnish Is Varnish is a solution or fluid made from various fossil gunis, oils and volatile driers, subjected to specific degrees of heat, an elaborate filtering process, and, in the case o* the finer varnishes, ripened for periods from six to 18 months, in sealed tanks in which an even temperature is maintained. For lack of adequate :nanufacturing facilities, capital and skill, many raw and crudely made varnishes reach the market and by their impermanence and a score of other defects, often discourage the use of varnish where a properly made and matured quality varnish is greatly needed. But long established varnish makers, whose products are proverbially reliable, do THE MARINE REVIEW not distribute varnishes of that de- scription. Varnish dries by the evaporation of its volatile constituents, by the oxidation of other constituents . or partly by evaporation and by oxida- tion. The purpose of varnish, gen- erally stated, is to enhance the beauty of surfaces, to protect them from injury, to increase the luster or hard- ness of other coatings (paint, etc.); and technically speaking, to exclude moisture and gases, vapors and other atmospheric agencies of decomposi- tion and decay, to prevent corrosion and. to reduce friction. Varnishes Classified Broadly speaking, varnishes are classified as oil varnishes, spirit var- nishes, japans and enamels, and spe- cialties, like the varnishes and driers used in paint manufacture. Marine varnishes are especially made to protect ship surfaces from salt or fresh water and marine atmosphere. Many years ago a long-oil, tough, elas- tic varnish was made for the spars of ships. It became known as “spar varnish” and similarly made exterior varnishes are now often referred to as spar varnish. ‘Many persons, ig- norant of the origin of the term, have erroneously assumed that “spar” re- ferred to a varnish ingredient. Prac- tically all varnishes made with a maximum amount of oil, to toughen and render them elastic and to a de- gree water resisting, are generally designated as spar varnish. There are, however, many transparent ex- terior varnishes, which are in fact identical in content and method of manufacture with the so-called spar varnishes. Wherever a tough, elas- tic, weather and water resistant var- nish is required, the transparent ex- terior varnishes are highly service- able. Of the degrees of luster in the nu- merous varnishes indicated, that is a matter of easy attainment by rubbing or not rubbing the varnished surface after it is dry. Many varnishes are especially made to produce any de- gree of gloss desired from a glitter to an almost invisible dull polish. The romance of varnish is another story. What we know of Egyptian mummies suggests its interest to the student of ancient lores. What has preserved the bodies of the kings of Egypt for thousands of years is in- deed a substance which should inter- est every ship and boat owner in the world, especially when varnish in addition to preserving his property adds the elements of beauty and sani- tation to marine structures and equip- ment. June, 1917 Reorganize Engine Firm The August Mietz Corporation is the title of a company recently organized to take over the business of August Mietz with a plant at 128-138 Mott street, New York. There will be no change in the nature of business, which for the past 30 years has been the manufacture of oil engines both for stationary and marine _ installations, Several of the company’s engines have : been installed by the government for auxiliary marine purposes, such as driy- ing air compressors, wireless generators, etc. A large number of the air com- pressor sets have been installed on gov- ernment light ships. The company is now building a large plant York City for manufacturing large size units, and will have one of the most modern and up-to-date engine manufac- turing assembling and testing plants in the country. The officers of the new corporation are: Emma C. Rueff, presi- dent; Emil Rueff, vice president and treasurer; Otto V. Schrenk, secretary, and Louis C. Eitzen, general manager. Equipment for Navy Circulators made by the Eckliff Auto- matic Boiler Circulator Co., Detroit, are well represented in ships of the United States government now under war or- ders. Several of the larger Scotch- boilered ships of the United States navy and the war department are thus equipped, as well as boats of the United States coast guard service; United States lighthouse service; United States coast and geodetic survey, and bureau of immigration. In addition, these cir- culators have been installed in the boil- ers of a large number of freighters, steam yachts, fishing steamers and other craft taken over by the United States for government service during the war. Takes Over Business The Marine Decking & Supply Co., Philadelphia, has purchased the busi- ness of the Litosilo Co. of America. The Marine company will not only manufacture the decking formerly made by the Litosilo company, but will handle paneling, tile, ceramic and quarry tile, and other specialties in the marine field. Captain Fryatt Memorial Subscription to the Capt. Charles Fryatt memorial fund are being solicited by the Imperial Merchant Service Guild. The money is to be used for “the erec- tion of a public memorial and the crea+ tion of a fund for the benefit of dis- tressed merchant captains and officers, or their dependents — caused primarily through the war.” Contributions may be paid to Capt. George S. Laing, 20 Gib- son avenue, Toronto, Ont. in New .