1845.] CONSTRUCTION OF VESSELS. 265 



smooth, and when wet, spontaneously exude a kind of 

 mucilage, which renders them very slippery. The outer 

 entrance of this angular bed is carried into deep water, 

 and at so gradual an inclination, that the original impetus 

 given by the oars, forces them at once " high and dry," 

 and by the ropes then attached, they are instantly drawn 

 by their allies into the interior, at a rate, probably, equal 

 to that at which they were impelled by oars. 



The vessels of the Illaiions are very sharp, of great 

 beam, and exceed ninety feet in length; they are furnished 

 with double tiers of oars, and the largest generally carry 

 about one hundred rowers, who are slaves, and not expected 

 to fight unless hard pressed. The "fighting men", (or chiefs) 

 as they are termed, amounting to thirty or forty, occupy 

 the upper platform, and use the guns as well as small 

 Leilas or swivels. The whole of the main interior, occupy 

 ing about two-thirds of the beam, and three-fifths of the 

 length of the vessel, is fitted as a cabin ; it extends from 

 one-fifth from forward, to one-fifth from aft, and at the 

 bow, is solidly built out to the whole beam of the vessel, 

 with hard wood baulks of timber, calculated to withstand a 

 six-pounder shot : a very small embrasure admits the 

 muzzle of the long gun, which varies from the six, to a 

 twenty-four pounder, generally of brass ; independent of 

 numerous swivels, of various calibre, mounted in solid 

 uprights, secured about the sides and upperworks of the 

 vessel. Above the cabin is the fighting deck, upon which 

 their heroes are placed, and upon any chance of action, 

 they dress themselves in scarlet, and are equipped very 

 much in the style of the armour furnished for the stage 

 property of our theatres, varying from steel plate to ring 



