First Petroleum Shipment

In 1861, the first petroleum export shipment from the U.S. to Europe left Philadelphia, Pa. for London, England. A cargo of 1,329 barrels was carried by the Elizabeth Watts, a 224-ton brig captained by Charles Bryant. Since it was not easy to recruit a crew willing to work above a cargo of oil, a crew was shanghaied. The cargo arrived at Victoria Docks, London, on 9 Jan 1862.

Books in our collection

Petroleum Refining   by  Jean-Pierre Wauquier, Pierre Trambouze, Jean-Pierre Favennec