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. [Illustration: _Plate 11_] THE USE OF ROCKETS IN FIRE SHIPS, AND THE MODE OF FITTING ANY OTHER SHIP FOR THE DISCHARGE OF ROCKETS. Plate 12, Fig. 1, represents the application of Rockets in fire-ships; by which, a great power of _distant_ conflagration is given to these ships, in addition to the limited powers they now possess, as depending entirely on _contact_ with the vessels they may be intended to destroy. The application is made as follows:--Frames or racks are to be provided in the tops of all fire-ships, to contain as many hundred carcass and shell Rockets, as can be stowed in them, tier above tier, and nearly close together. These racks may also be applied in the topmast and top-gallant shrouds, to increase the number: and when the time arrives for sending her against the enemy, the Rockets are placed in these racks, at different angles, and in all directions, having the vents uncovered, but requiring no leaders, or any nicety of operation, which can be frustrated either by wind or rain; as the Rockets are discharged merely by the progress of the flame ascending the rigging, at a considerable lapse of time after the ship is set on fire, and abandoned.