The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-09-17
GREEK FIRE SHIPS

Howe, In his Sketch Of the Greek Revolution
gives particular description of this Grecian
engine OF naval warfare, and narrates the first
experiment of the sort made by the Greeks up
on Turkish ship. He also gives an account
OF the manner in which the Greek fleets are
fitted oat.--BOston Bulletin
A rich Hydriote, THAT is, an inhaoitant
OF the island of Hydra, lying on the eastern
coast OF Greece opposite to ancient Argolis. I
for example, will have brothers and sis
ters-half brothers, cousins, second, third,
fourth, down to sixteenth cousins he has
always many among the common sailors,
VINO nave some conneXion with him by
blood, or marriage; distant indeed, but not
less, thought OF. From among these he
plcks the crew of his vessel so that it is
kind of family property each man has a
fteellng of interest in the vessel, and will re-
gard her welfare as paramount to every
other consideration, his own private inter
est always excepted of course. The owner
of the vessel sometimes commands in per-
son; in either case, it was often the source
of evil, for on going into action, however
brave the commander of the vessel might
be, his interest would tell him to keep out
of the fire, and not expose his ship to injury,
which would have to he repaired at his own
expense; and doubtless it has kept many a
vessel aloof whose captain thought more of
getting his spars injured, than having his
mems, or even his own limbs carried away.
These and similar motives, acted on some, a
dislike TO danger and death on others and
we shall. find some of the most boosted
teats of the Greek fleet, ON examination, to
have been without bloodshed or danger /;
and the really heroic actions which have
been performed, to have been the work of
few gallant and noble patriots, whose names
alone, are enough to redeem the character
of the modern Greeks from the odium their
enemies would cast upon it.
A squadron of thirty small vessels had
thus fitted out in 1921, from the three isl
ands of Hydra, Spetzin, and Ipsara under
the command of Tombazi. Cruising to-
wards the Dardaneles.
On the 9Th Of June, they discovered
division of the Turkish fleet, consisting of
one sevent!-four, one fifty gun ship, three
trlgates, three corvettes, and two briggs,
coming frpm Constantinople, and directing
its courst for Scio. On discovering the
Greeks, ihe Turks ran for Sigvi in MYTH
lene; but though they were to the windward,
and the port under their lee, the fifty gun
ship WIS cut off, and ran for Egripo. She
was pursued by the Greeks, and by bad
management got on shore; she then lay at
theirmercy but she was like wounded
beast whose teeth and claws makes him
stun formidable to the hunter. The light
brg' with their small cannon, could not
approach her with impunity; and as for
boalding, though writers have asserted,
that the sailors impatently demanded it
they never thought it, or only with fear and
trembling, convinced as they were, that the
Turks, in their desperation would blow
themselves up. In this dilemma, captain
Ahanase, Hydriote, proposed a freship;
and after spending the day in trials, in
which one vessel was burnt Intellectually, a
second was attached to the enemy (; the
torch was applied, and in an instant, hull.
rigging, and sails, were in one sheet of fire
and her crew of five hundred and fifty souls
all persisted in the flames, except about
twenty This was the first use of the BRIT
lot, or fire ship, by the Greeks; and as all
the victorious and naval battles which thew
have gained have been by means of them.
a few lines may be devoted to explain the
way in which they are prepared and used.
An old vessel, but one which will sail
well, is selected +; every thing valuable is
taken out of her her inside is daubed with
composition of pitch and sulphur, and fill
ed with furze or light combustibles; several
new matches are cut along the deck on each
side, under each of which is placed a small
! cask of powder the rigging is we'll daubed
with tar, and the ends of the yards armed
with hooks, that they may catch, and entan-
gle in the enemy's rigging. When every
thing is ready, train of powder is laid
| from the combustibles communicating with
each cask ofpowder,and leading to the stern
of the brulot: then with. all sail set, she is
run directly for an enemy ship; the sailors
| generally twenty in number) crouch be-
| bind the 6ulwarks, to hide themselves from
| the shot; and at the moment she strikes
against the ship meant to be burned, every
man leaps into the boat, which is kept ready
QraggiDS nstarn; the Cdpruin nIC5 tue
train, and follows them, and leaving the bru-
lot, of which every spar, rope, and sail is in
an instant in one broad blaze, to grasp in its
fiery embrace the enemy's vessel; they pull
rapidly away, with from twenty to thirty
oars, and try to gain the vessel appointed
to pick them up.
THE REV. ROWLAND Hill AND HIGH
wAYMAN. In early life, the Rev. R. Hill,
travelling in his carriage over Hounslow
heath, was stopped by IA highwayman, who
demanded his money. The Rev. gentle
man Immediately assented; but with his
usual self possession and good humor, in
treated few moments previous parley,
which the highwayman granted. Mr.. Hill
then requested to be informed if he was
driven to this pursuit by necessity, or if he
followed it as regular profession. The
trembling culprit answered, "dire necessi-
ty." "Then,'' replied the Rev. gentleman,
"perhaps you would rather follow more
honorable pursuit ?" Yes, most cheerful
ly," said the man. "Give me your entire
confidence" said Mr.. Hill, telling the man