But suppose an enterprise to send such Bombs in among the Shipping at Brest or any other open port; the tide running at the rate of two miles an hour, the clockwork being set to two hours would make it practicable to set the Bombs afloat at four miles distance from the Enemy; and they would arrive among the shipping about the time the explosions commenced; It would of course be advisable to get as near the Enemy as possible before giving the Bombs to the tide, and in allmost all cases it is possible to near them within two miles or a mile and a half in the night time; the clockwork should be set accordingly. _Plate 12_ Plate the 12 will Shew how the hooks are arranged to pass the Buoys and yet hook in the Cable; in all cases where the line of the Bomb may cross one; it is a round ended hook filled in with cork to keep it from sinking being round at the end it cannot hook in the Buoy, but if the line crosses a cable it will glide along till it comes to the hook and be caught, the Bomb will then drift alongside, and sheer under the ships bottom, this being a mode of attack it is to be considered what would be the risk of 10, 15 or 20 Sail were 2 or 3 hundred such bombs floated among them in one night. But as Ships at anchor cannot follow or even fire to advantage in the night on boats which are 4 or 5 hundred yards off; it [necessarily] reduces the enemy to the necessity of defending themselves against boats, by boats—, this being the Case what could prevent 40 British Boats running with the flood into the harbour of Brest, there throw their Bombs across the Bows and retire with the ebb of night;? 16 oard cutters each with 4 or 5 marines and two swivels would complete such an enterprise with little risk for as the objects of the British Boats would not to fight but run: the oars would never be interrupted and their Velocity together with the fire of the marines would clear their way through any of the enemy’s boats which could be ready to oppose them; but they would have another advantage for the explosion of the first bomb or the Blowing up of the first ship, would occupy all the enemy’s boats In saving the men which would leave little or no opposition to the British Boats; I Leave to nautical Gentlemen to consider whether such an attack with such engines whose operation is instantanious; Is not practicable for British seamen in Brest harbour; and if at Brest, it is also practicable at Cadiz and other ports, and presents a more effectual mode of destroying the Enemys fleets than any method now in practice and with less risk, But I do not expect Gentlemen to decide in favour of this mode of attack without first contemplating Galleys or cutters of the best construction, and picked men, habituated and exersised to the System and practice of the Bombs,—For as a morter is not given to the management of a lighthouseman, but to a Bombadeer, so these engines should not be confided to officers or men till they had