FIRE-SHIP

As there is nothing particular in the construction of this ship, except the apparatus by which the fire is instantly conveyed from one part to another, and from thence to the enemy, it will be sufficient to describe the fire-room, where these combustibles are inclosed, together with the instruments necessary to grapple the ship intended to be destroyed.

The fire-room is built between decks, and limited on the after-part by a bulk-bead, L, behind the main-mast, from which it extends quite forwards, as represented in fig. 2, plate IV. The train inclosed in this apartment is contained in a variety of wooden troughs, D, G, which intersect each other in different parts of the ship's length; being supported at proper distances by cross-pieces and stanchions. On each tide of the ship are six or seven ports, H, about eighteen inches broad, and fifteen inches high, and having their lids to open downward, contrary to the usual method. The iron chambers are ten inches long, and 3.5 in diameter. They are breeched against a piece of wood fixed across the ports, and set into another a little higher. When loaded, they are almost filled with corn-powder, and have a wooden tompion well driven into their muzzles. They are primed with a small piece of quick match thrust through their vents into the powders with a part of it hanging out. When the ports are blown open by means of the iron chambers, the port-lids either fall downward, or are carried away by the explosion.

Plate IV

Against every port is placed an iron chamber, which, at the time of firing the ship, blows out the port-lid, and opens a passage for the flame.

Immediately under the main and fore shrouds is fixed a wooden funnel, M; whose lower-end communicates with a fire-barrel f, by which the flame passing through the funnel is conducted to the shrouds.

The fire-barrels ought to be of a cylindrical form, as most suitable to contain the reeds with which they are filled, and more convenient for stowing them between the troughs in the fire-room. Their inside diameters should not be less than twenty-one inches, and thirty inches is sufficient for their length. The bottom parts are first well stored with short double-dipped reeds placed upright; and the remaining vacancy is filled with fire-barrel composition, well mixed and melted, and then poured over them. The composition used for this purpose is a mass of sulphur, pitch, tar, and tallow.

Reference Works