Plate 11 represents two men of war’s launches throwing Rockets. The frame is the same as that used for bombardment on shore, divested of the legs or prypoles, on which it is supported in land service; for which, afloat, the foremast of the boat is substituted. To render, therefore, the application of the common bombarding frame universal, each of them is constructed with a loop or traveller, to connect it with the mast, and guide it in lowering and raising, which is done by the haulyards.

The leading boat in the plate represents the act of firing; where the frame being elevated to any desired angle, the crew have retired into the stern sheets, and a marine artillery-man is discharging a Rocket by a trigger-line, leading aft. In the second boat, these artillery-men are in the act of loading; for which purpose, the frame is lowered to a convenient height; the mainmast is also standing, and the mainsail set, but partly brailed up. This sail being kept wet, most effectually prevents, without the least danger to the sail, any inconvenience to the men from the smoke or small sparks of the Rocket when going off; it should, therefore, be used where no objection exists on account of wind. It is not, however, by any means indispensable, as I have myself discharged some hundred Rockets from these boats, nay, even from a six-oared cutter, without it. From this application of the sail, it is evident, that Rockets may be thrown from these boats under sail, as well as at anchor, or in rowing. In the launch, the ammunition may be very securely stowed in the stern sheets, covered with tarpaulins, or tanned hides. In the six-oared cutter, there is not room for this, and an attending boat is therefore necessary: on which account, as well as from its greater steadiness, the launch is preferable, where there is no obstacle as to currents or shoal water.

Here it may be observed, with reference to its application in the marine, that as the power of discharging this ammunition without the burthen of ordnance, gives it exclusive facilities for land service, so also, its property of being projected without reaction upon the point of discharge, gives it exclusive facilities for sea service: insomuch, that Rockets conveying the same quantity of combustible matter, as by the ordinary system would be thrown from the largest mortars, and from ships of very heavy tonnage, may be used out of the smallest boats of the navy; and the 12-pounder and 18-pounder have been frequently fired even from four-oared gigs.

It should here also be remarked, that the 12 and 18-pounder shell Rockets recochÉt in the water remarkably well at low angles. There is another use for Rockets in boat service also, which ought not to be passed over—namely, their application in facilitating the capture of a ship by boarding.

In this service 32-pounder shell Rockets are prepared with a short stick, having a leader and short fuze fixed to the stick for firing the Rocket. Thus prepared, every boat intended to board is provided with 10 or 12 of these Rockets; the moment of coming alongside, the fuzes are lighted, and the whole number of Rockets immediately launched by hand through the ports into the ship; where, being left to their own impulse, they will scour round and round the deck until they explode, so as very shortly to clear the way for the boarders, both by actual destruction, and by the equally powerful operation of terror amongst the crew; the boat lying quietly alongside for a few seconds, until, by the explosion of the Rockets, the boarders know that the desired effect has been produced, and that no mischief can happen to themselves when they enter the vessel.