Archibald Cochrane, 9th Earl of Dundonald

Known to be a man ahead of his time, Archibald Cochrane was a brilliant man when it came to inventions and science, but lacking in financial stewardship. One if his noted inventions was a sealant made from a special blend of pitch. After contacts with the British Admiralty were made a test was performed on a bouy. The bouy was coated on one side and left normal on the other. After some time the uncoated half was leaking and full of worms and barnacles, while the treated half was in quite good condition. Having been so sure of his invention a patant was drawn up and all this time the finances were suffering. The family estates were used as collateral. Only there were powerfull interests at play, namely involved with shipyards. A coated vessel could stay in the water for very long periods without needing timbers replaced, when compared to a normal ship. The patent expired and the Royal Navy adopted the new mixture and began using it, it was however to late for the poor earl.

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