FIRE-SHIP (continued)

Take up all your reeds, one after another, and strow a little composition at the bottom of all the troughs under the reeds, and then tie them gently down again: next strow composition upon the upper-part of the reeds throughout the fire-room, and upon the said composition lay double quick-match upon all the reeds, in all the troughs: the remainder of the composition strow over all the fire-room, and then lay your bavins loose.

Quick-match is formed of three cotton strands drawn into length, and dipped in a boiling composition of white-wine' vinegar, salt-petre, and mealed powder. After this immersion it is taken out hot, and laid in a trough where some mealed powder, moistened with spirits of wine, is thoroughly incorporated into the twists of the cotton, by rolling it about therein. Thus prepared, they are taken out separately, and drawn through mealed powder, then hung upon a line till dried, by which they are fit for immediate service.

Cast off all the covers of the fire-barrels, and hang the quick-match loose over their sides, and place leaders of quick-match from the reeds into the barrels, and from thence into the vent of the chambers, in such a manner as to be certain of their blowing open the ports, and setting fire to the barrels. Two troughs of communication from each door of the fire-room to the sally-ports, must be laid with a strong leader of quick-match, four or five times double: also a cross piece to go from the sally-port, when the ship is fired, to the communication trough, laid with leaders of quick-match, that the fire may be communicated to both sides at once.

What quick-match is left, place so that the fire may be communicated to all parts of the room at once, especially about the ports and fire-barrels, and see that the chambers are well and fresh primed.

N. B. The port-fires used for firing the ship, burn about twelve minutes. Great care must be taken to have no powder on board when the Ship is fired.

Port-fires are frequently used by the artillery people in preference to matches, to set fire to the powder or compositions. They are distinguished into wet and dry port-fires. The composition of the former is salt-petre four, fulphur one, and mealed powder four. When these materials are thoroughly mixed and sifted, the whole is to be moistened with a little linseed oil, and rubbed between the hands till all the oil is imbibed by the composition. The preparation for dry port-fires is salt-petre four, suiphur one, mealed powder two, and antimony one. These compositions are driven into small paper cases, to be used whenever necessary.

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