The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-08-17
GREEK FIRE SHIP.

The success which has so frequently
crowned the bravery Of the Greeks in their
attacks upon the Turkish fleets by means
Of fire ships, will render of some interest the
following description of these instruments OF
destruction.
While lying in the harbour Of Mylo there
came into that port Spizzote division OF the
Greek heet, amongst them were number OF
fire ships. Several Of the officers OF the On
tario with myself, visited them and were
much gratihed by having an opportunity
of examining those engines OF destructioh'
We were much surprised at the simplicity
of their construction, and pleased to see, that
il once fired it would be Impossible 10 eXeih-
guish them. The commanders TOOK great
deal of pains to explain evey thing to us: one
of them stated that he had destroyed TWO
frigates, and feels very confident OF always
being successful, provided they can attack the
enemy at anchor.
They are vessels generally of about 500
20 400 tuns burshen, and mostly Polake Brig
rigged; they were formerly merchantmen
before the revolution; are strong vessels and
mostly sail fast. They have chain slings for
all their yards, and at the yard arms, Crap
pie, or FIRE hooks, and box on the lower
yard arms containing combustible matter,
which burns for some considerable time. The
chain Sings are tor the purpose of keeping
the yards from falling as long as possible at
ter the rigging and sails are on fire. They
have other fire hooks on the bowsprit with
boxes Of combustibes; there is a train which
leads to these boxes in the yard-arms and
bowsprit, which communicates with them
and sets them on fire; before the rigging
takes fire they are filled with srenades and
fire balls. Along the deck within about It.
of the water ways they have from 12 to IA
matches; these matches are kept closely shut
when they are approaching an enemy, so that
any fire from them may not communicate
with their hold; they have also ports along
the side, which they also keep close shut un-
til they are about firing the train; when they
heave off the matches on deck and open the
ports which fall down. The flames then
have fair opportunity Of rising out OF the
matches and bursting from the sides.
They have between the decks, fore anc
aft, on which they have large cribs, built like
double births, which are filled with light pint
dipped in tar or turpentne; mixed with thl
is a quantity of fusbush, dipped in the sam,
substance; they then also put on old tarpau
Inns and other combustibles. taking care no
to have it lay too close together. Abreast q
evey deck hatch they have barrel of fir
balls, and close to it hatch cut thro' the be
tween decks, so as to make draft from tn
hold where they have nothing but ballast.
The trains are laid fore and aft in trough
Of inches wide and deep, running in ever
direction along the deck, which is covere,
with tar and turpentine, as well as all TIL
beams and earrings The train is general
fred from the cabin windows, but in case
should be required, they can set fire to
from any ofthe ports along side. Just befor
they intend going along side of an enemy
they wet all the sails with spirits of turpen
tine and fill the train troughs with powder
all hands with the exception of the captai
get in the boat astern, which are very faS
rowing boats, and pull with from II to II oar
which is all the crew of the hreship; the boa
carries two small guns When every thin
is ready, the captain being the only one O
board, steers direct for the vessel he intend
laying on board, which he tries to strike
bout the forechains, and does not leave tn
helm until she is fairly grappled with the CT
emy: he then jumps into the boat astern, an
fires pistol into the train, when the vess
Is instantly in blaze which it would be im
possible to extingush. l am told they bur
from one half to three quarters Of an hou
before they sink; they do not blow up as
has been generally stated.