for extinguishing accidental Fires in Skips. lof 



case of a fire above decks, they may be easily got at, and 

 taken up. A number ot" buckets should also be provided 

 that the people may not be without the means of hoisting 

 up the sand, &c. even when the rigging lakes fire and pre- 

 vents them from employing a tackfe for that purpose. 



The sand, as brought up, should be thrown upon the 

 burning materials, especially on those on the deck. Where- 

 ever it rests it unll mstantly extinguish the Jiames Inj pre- 

 X'enting the access of atmospheric air. In fact, the whole 

 deck, especially near tlie spot on fire-, should be covered 

 with sand to the depth of three Inches, v^ hich will be much 

 more easily accomplished than at first may appear possible; 

 for the people have only to b^gin at the side of the fire next 

 to them, covering the deck before them with sand, and 

 spreading it with shovels, — thus making a road for them' 

 selves to advance upon, still coverin<r more of the deck as 

 thev advance ; an advantage that cannot be commanded by 

 the use of mere water. By these means, even where the 

 deck has been absolutely on lire, the flames will be so effec- 

 tuaiiy extingu'.shcd that the people may instantly ivalk over 

 the place with perfect safety. 



This will enable them to gain upon the fire, and with 

 mops (especially if a clay puddle instead of water be em- 

 ployed) to dash out the flames on such parts of the sides 

 (under the quarter-deck for instance) or over head as may 

 have caught fire. Let it be particularly observed, that if 

 means can be found to enable the people (sand, &c., would 

 enable them) to advance on the flames, in that case mops 

 with water, or rather water mixed with clay or sand, applied 

 directly to the burning wood, &c., beginning at the part on 

 fire immediately next to them, and proceeding step by step, 

 will extinguish fame letter than water thronii from a fire^ 

 engine. The reason is obvious : water so thrown on runs 

 oft' by the most direct course it can find, and will not stop 

 to spread itself over prominences or to penetrate into inter- 

 stices ; but when daslicd on by means of mops, it has no 

 choice, but must apply itself where it is intended it should. 



I do not mean by this that a fire-engine ought in no case 

 to be employed ; but when resorted to, its jet should be di- 

 rected forward further than the people can yet advance, and 

 never in such a manner as to wash away the bed of sand 

 from the decks, or the coating of sand or clay that has been 

 applied by mops to tlie uprights and parts over head. And 

 the moment the people can advance to apply mops, the en- 

 gine should be stopt. 



in mopping, the process should go on from the loner 



parti 



