Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-19


Greef FIRE ShiPS-The success which has SO fre-
quently crowned the bravery of the Greeks in their o
lacks upon the Turkish fleets by means of fire ships will
render fsome interest the following dissertation
instruments Of destruction
While lying in the harbor of NIvlo there came into
that port Sp;zote division of tue Greek feet AMONGST
them were number fire-Shps. Several oihc officers
of the Ontario with myself visited them, and were
much ratified by having an opportunity of examining
these wodertu! engines of destruction w were much
astonsed at the simplicity OF their constructions and
pleased to see, that If fired it would be .,np, b
TO eXtnGuish them. The commanders took great
deal Of pains to explain every thing TO u.s. one of Them
stated that he had destroyed two gates and feels very
confident OF always being successful pro5 ed they can
attack the enemy at anchor.
They are vessels generally of about to 600 from 400
tons burher, ard mostly Poacca brig rugged; they were
formerly merchantmen, before the revolu;ion are
strong Vessels and mostly sail fast. They irYe chain
sings for all their yards, and at the ward arms rsppc
or fire hooks, and box the lower yard arms con
tanning coinouStibe matter, which burns for some con-
siderable time. The chain Sings are for the purDose
ct keeping the yards from falling long as possible af
ter the rigging and sails fire. They have other
fire hooks the bowsprit with boxes of
there Is train which leads 10 these boxes in the ward
arms and hoWsprit, which communicates with thcrn
and sets them on fire before the rigging takes fire. thew
are filled with grenades and fire balls. Along the deck
within about two feet OF the ways tPv have from
- to IA matches; these matches are kept closely shut
when they are approaching enemy so that av fire
from them may not communicate with their hold: they
disO pOTlS along tHe outside which they also
close shut until they about firing the train when
they heaye off the matches deck and open The poit
Which fail down. The flame then has fair opport,
nifty Of rising out Of the matches and BURSTING from! The
sides.
They have between deck fore and aft on " l, y
have large cribs, built like double births which are
ed with light pine dipped in tar turpentne: mixed
with Tins Us quantity Of fusbush, dipped in tx same
substances they also put old tarpauIns and other com
oustolcs taking care not TO have lay too close tore
thcr Abreast OF every deck hatch they have a barrel
OF are balls and close TO it hatch cut through the be-
tween decks, so as to make draft from the hold where
they have nothing but ballast.
The trains are laid fore and aft n tron~hs of inches
VIDE ard dc = running in every direction along the
deck which Is covered with tar and turpentinc as well
as all the beams and earrings. The train is generally
hred from the cabin windows, but in case should be
required, they can set fire 10 it from any Of the ports
along side Just before they intend going along side OF
an enemy they wet all the sails Nth spirits OF tufpcn
tine, and I'LL the train troughs with powder: all hands
"tne exception OF the captain get into the boat asten
winch are very fast rowing boats and pulwit from y
10 III oars, which is all the Of the iresLin the boat
carries small guns. When every thing is ready tje
captain being the only on board steers direct Tor
the vessel he intends laying board which hc tries 10
strike about the forcChains, and does not leave the j
rnI she Is fairly grappcd with the enemy: he then
JUMPS into te boat astern, and fires pistol into tbe
train when the vessel IS instantly in blaze which i
would be impossible 10 extinguisb. am told thew burn
from one hall TO three quarters OF an hour before they
sink they do not blow up has been generally stated
tLhiI. .lW0ru.