From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter from British Petroleum Co. proposing a comparative test of their petrol against Shell.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\5\ Scan001 | |
| Date | 9th November 1920 | |
| E.H. 884 (100 T) (S.G. 64B, 19-2-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 9618 X.1356 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} c.to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c.to Mr Hall (Lab). c.to OC/CFA. Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}1/NJ9.11.20. British Petroleum Co. Yesterday Mr. Thompson, the London Manager of this Company, visited us with the object of interesting us in the petrol which his Company supplies. He pointed out that his Company is a genuine British Co. backed by the British Government as regards its properties in Persia and although during the War they did not produce petrol (the whole output of their wells being required as oil for naval and other purposes), they have for some time been producing petrol of the highest class and will shortly open at Swansea what is regarded as being the largest refinery in the World. When the Swansea plant is at work, all the refining and production of petrol for this market will be done in this country, whereas at the present time the refining and production of petrol is done in Persia. The British Petroleum Co. are opening a Depot in Derby and they ask to be allowed to send us a sufficient supply of petrol to enable us to test its quality against the petrol (Shell) we are at present using. Probably you are aware that the "Shell" is a Dutch Co. and although a large number of shares are held by British capitalists, the bulk of the profits go abroad and the control is entirely foreign. I shall be pleased to learn whether, in the circumstances, you are prepared to undertake a comparative test of the British Petroleum Co's petrol and, if so, what quantity you will require for the purpose. The price is the same as the price of "Shell". [Stamp] Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} NOV 9 1920 RECF [Handwritten] ordered 50 gallons HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/LG 16-11-20 Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} | ||