might occur to the gallant conductor. Hence the introduction of the catamarins, the fire-vessels, and that novelty of the age, the clock-machine or torpedo of these it is necessary to speak with some detail.

The fire-vessels were small sloops or brigs of eighty tons, filled of course with combustibles, and having grapnels at their yard-arms. These were commanded by young men, ready to attempt the most desperate deed if an occasion presented itself; but we never heard of one instance of their complete success.

The catamarins were similar in principle, as well as name, to those used by the natives of the coast of Coromandel. They consisted of two pieces of timber, about nine feet long and nine inches square, placed parallel to each other, at such a distance as to receive a man to sit between them on an iron bar, which admitted of his sinking nearly flush with the water, and occasionally immersing himself, so as to prevent his being seen in the dark, or by moonlight. The person who had charge of this notable contrivance was a sailor, clad in a black Guernsey waistcoat and trowsers, with a black cap which covered his face; he was furnished with a paddle, and being seated in his marine car, it was intended that he should take the clock-machine in tow. This instrument consisted of a copper case, about eighteen or nineteen feet long, and something similar in shape to

a coffin its interior was furnished with combustibles, which were to explode by the striking of a clock within, which was to run a certain number of hours. The sailor in the catamarin, under cover of the night, dropping silently down with the tide, was to attach this machine to the cable of the enemy's vessel, and thus the projector hoped, that the sleeping and unsuspecting crew would be instantly destroyed; but the catamarin we believe was entirely laid aside, and the clockmachines were towed in by ship's boats: none of these machines ever took effect except against an unfortunate boat's crew of sixteen Frenchmen.

Coupled with these inventions we find one of a still more extraordinary nature, mentioned in the Naval Chronicle for 1802, vol. vii. p. 270. The diving-boat, or batteau plongeur, invented by Mr. Fulton, an American. This vessel was made by the artist to possess the singular quality of plunging two feet under water, and so continuing for eight hours, containing eight men, and carrying twenty days' provisions; air was admitted by means of funnels or tubes. We have heard a famous smuggler speak of a similar boat, but never knew of its application to any particular purpose. Something of the kind was constructing about three years ago, for the purpose of procuring the escape of Bonaparte from St. Helena. The projector

of this scheme is well known to the North Sea officers of the late war: the death of the object

of emancipation caused the work to be discontinued.*

Such were the means which Lord Keith was commanded to employ for the destruction of the invading flotilla. His Lordship attended in person on board the Monarch, and we shall give an account of the result in his own words.

Monarch, off Boulogne, Oct. 3, 1804.

The operations commenced at a quarter past nine, P. M. and terminated at a quarter past four this morning, during which time several vessels prepared for the purpose were exploded amongst, or very near to the flotilla, but on account of the great distance at which they lay from each other, no very extensive injury seems to have been sustained; although it is evident that there has been very considerable confusion amongst them, and that two of the brigs, and several of the smaller vessels, appear to be missing since yesterday, at the close of the day.

I have great satisfaction in reporting that notwithstanding a heavy discharge of shells, shot, and musketry was kept up throughout the night, no casualty whatever on our part has been sustained: the enemy made no attempt to oppose their rowing boats to ours.

The principal fire-vessels were placed under the command of Captains M'Leod of the Sulphur, Jackson of the Autumn, Edwards of the Fury, Collard of the Railleur, and Searle of the Helder; and the Lieutenants Stewart of the Monarch, Lowry of the Leopard, Payne of the Immortalité, and Templar of the Sulphur. The boats of the squadron attended them, and the Castor and Greyhound frigates were directed to take up an anchorage to leeward, to pick up the boats, in case of accident. The leaders of the fire-vessels advanced against the flotilla with the most daring intrepidity, and executed their instructions, as far as valour and perseverance could achieve.

* The Author has in his possession a drawing of a similar invention, said to have been tried in the Delaware in 1814; it was to tow the clock-machine and fasten it to the object.

One of the fire-vessels was intrusted to the care of Captain S. Jackson, of the Autumn sloop of war, who was ordered to lay her alongside of the French Admiral (Bruix). The night was extremely dark, and when within a very short distance of his victim, his boat's crew in the gig ready to put off, the string attached to the clock to set it going slipped out of his hand, and could not be found. Jackson said he thought it better to be blown up than go back with such a story, and breaking open the hatch-way, which was securely battened over, he jumped down, regained the string, and by the time he was on deck the vessel was alongside the Admiral's praam. As he pulled the fatal line he stepped into his gig and put off; in twenty-five seconds (the expected time) the vessel exploded, but did no other injury to the enemy than taking away her bowsprit: Jackson and his brave crew escaped unhurt. A French lieutenant displayed an instance of coolness and presence of mind equally praiseworthy: seeing a fire-vessel approach him he leaped on board, and dexterously secured her to his own cable; returning to his vessel he dropped astern, and received no injury by the explosion which almost instantly followed.

The French picked up some of the coffers, or clock-machines, on the sea-shore, and called them, with great propriety, "machines infernales." A correct drawing of them is given in the plates of the Précis des Evénemens Militaires. The stone expedition next deserves our attention.

This was an expedient proposed by an ingenious person, to block up the harbour of Boulogne, by sinking ships, loaded with stones, at its entrance. Strange as such a project must appear to the philosopher and the officer, it had its supporters and its uses. Three merchant-ships, of about four hundred tons each, were purchased, and their holds filled with blocks of stone, well cemented and clamped together, so as to resist the action of the sea, at least for a certain time: this part of the preparation being complete, the vessels were next rendered combustible by the addition of every thing inflammatory that could be laid in them; and the day and hour were fixed for their departure. The projector was to lead the way, and was to be supported by three naval commanders of distinguished bravery, each provided with fast rowing gigs; but night after night passed away without presenting one favourable occasion for laying the ships on the shore, and at length the enterprise was abandoned, and the projector, it is supposed, retired to France, with a considerable sum of money from our government.

In the month of November, the severity of blockading the ports of the Texel was practically experienced in the loss of the Romney, of fifty guns, commanded by the Honourable Captain Colville. Most of the crew (with great difficulty) escaped, by the kind exertions of the Dutch, which produced the following letter from Vice-admiral Russell to Admiral Kickhurt.