FIRE-SHIP. An old vessel filled with combustible materials, and fitted with grappling irons to hook, and set fire to, the enemies ships in battle, &c.
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 enclosed, 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-head, L, behind the main-mast, from which it extends quite forward, as represented in Plate CCXVII. The train enclosed 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 side of the ship are six or seven ports, H, about 18 inches broad and 15 inches high; and having their lids to open downward, contrary to the usual method.
Against every port is placed an iron chamber (A) 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-throuts is fixed a wooden funnel (M); whose lower end communicates with a fire-barrel (B), by which the flame passing through the funnel is conducted to the throuts. Between the funnels, which are likewise called fire-trunks, are two Falconer's scuttles, or small holes, in the upper deck, serving also Marine to let out the flames. Both funnels must be stopped Dictionary. with plugs, and have sailecloth or canvas nailed close over them, to prevent any accident happening from above to the combustibles laid below.
The ports, funnels, and scuttles, not only communicate the flames to the outside and upper works of the ship and her rigging; but likewise open a passage for the inward air, confined in the fire-room, which is thereby expanded so as to force impetuously through those outlets, and prevent the blowing up of the decks, which must of necessity happen from such a sudden and violent rarefaction of the air as will then be produced.
On each side of the bulk-head behind is cut a hole, L, of sufficient size to admit a trough of the same dimensions as the others. A leading trough, LI, whose foremost end communicates with another trough within the fire-room, is laid close to this opening, from whence it extends obliquely to a sally-port, I, cut through the ship's side. The decks and troughs are well covered with melted rosin. At the time of the firing
(A) The iron chambers are 10 inches long and 3.5 in diameter. They are breeched against a piece of wood fixed across the ports, and let into another a little higher. When loaded, they are almost filled with corn-powder, and have a wooden tom-pion well driven into their muzzles. They are primed with a small piece of quick-match thrust through their vents into the powder, 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.
(B) 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 flowing them between the troughs in the fire-room. Their inside chambers should not be less than 21 inches, and 30 inches is sufficient for their length. The bottom parts are first well stowed 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.
There are five holes, of three-fourths of an inch in diameter and three inches deep, formed in the top of the composition while it is yet warm; one being in the centre, and the other four at equal distances round the sides of the barrel. When the composition is cold and hard, the barrel is primed by filling these holes with fuse-composition, which is firmly driven into them, so as to leave a little vacancy at the top to admit a strand of quick match twice doubled. The centre hole contains two strands at their whole length, and every strand must be driven home with meased powder. The loose ends of the quick match being then laid within the barrel, the whole is covered with a dipped curtain, fastened on with a hoop that slips over the head of the barrel, to which it is nailed.
The barrels should be made very strong, not only to support the weight of the composition before firing, when they are moved or carried from place to place, but to keep them together whilst burning: for if the slaves are too light and thin, so as to burn very soon, the remaining composition will tumble out and be dissipated, and the intention of the barrels, to carry the flame aloft, will accordingly be frustrated.
The curtain is a piece of coarse canvas, nearly a yard in breadth and length, thickened with melted composition, and covered with saw-dust on both sides.
Fire. firing either of the leading troughs, the flame is immediately conveyed to the opposite side of the ship, whereby both sides burn together.
The spaces N, O, behind the fire-room, represent the cabins of the lieutenant and master, one of which is on the starboard, and the other on the larboard side. The captain's cabin, which is separated from these by a bulk-head, is exhibited also by P.
Four of the eight fire-barrels are placed under the four fire-trunks; and the other four between them, two on each side the fire-scuttles, where they are securely cleated to the deck. The longest reeds (C) are put into the fore and aft trough, and tied down: the shortest reeds are laid in the troughs athwart, and tied down also. The bavins (D), dipped at one end, are tied fast to the troughs over the reeds, and the curtains are nailed up to the beams, in equal quantities, on each side of the fire-room.
The remainder of the reeds are placed in a position nearly upright, at all the angles of every square in the fire-room, and there tied down. If any reeds are left, they are to be put round the fire-barrels, and other vacant places, and there tied fast.
Take up all your reeds, one after another, and strew a little composition at the bottom of all the troughs under the reeds, and then tie them gently down again: next strew 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 strew over all the fire-room, and then lay your bavins loose.
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 in 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-fire used for firing the ship, burns about 12 minutes. Great care must be taken to have no powder on board when the ship is fired.]
The sheer hooks (represented by A) are fitted so as to fasten on the yard-arms of the fire-ship, where they hook the enemy's rigging. The fire-grapplings (B) are either fixed on the yard-arms, or thrown by hand, having a chain to confine the ships together, or fasten those instruments wherever necessary.
When the commanding officer of a fleet displays the signal to prepare for action, the fire-ships fix their sheer hooks, and dispose their grapplings in readiness. The battle being begun, they proceed immediately to prime, and prepare their fire-works. When they are ready for grappling, they inform the admiral thereof by a particular signal.
To avoid being disabled by the enemy's cannon during a general engagement, the fire-ships continue sufficiently distant from their line of battle, either to windward or to leeward.
They cautiously shun the openings or intervals of the line, where they would be directly exposed to the enemy's fire, from which they are covered by lying on the opposite side of their own ships. They are attentively to observe the signals of the admiral or his seconds, in order to put their designs immediately in execution.
Although no ship of the line should be previously appointed to protect any fire-ship, except a few of the smallest particularly destined to this service, yet the ship before whom she passes in order to approach the enemy, should escort her thither, and assist her with an armed boat, or whatever succour may be necessary in her situation.
The captain of the fire-ship should himself be particularly attentive that the above instructions are punctually executed, and that the yards may be so braced when he falls alongside of the ship intended to be destroyed, that the sheer-hooks and grapplings fastened to the yard-arms, &c. may effectually hook the enemy. He is expected to be the last person who quits the vessel; and being furnished with every necessary assistance and support, his reputation will greatly depend on the success of his enterprise.