H. M. S, Firebrand had been many years on the coast of China before The writer joined ker in 1896. Originally she came out from home vi8 the Cape of Good Hope. Most of the voyage was made under sail, for although equipped with an old fashioned "Tow-power engine, het speed was so. slow and her coal] capacity go small, as to render the use of sail essential on a long ocean passage. At that time she was bark rigged and sailed quila well. When Under canvas the screw was' hoisted Jap in a s.tt of aperture at the ster tire object being to reduce friction the propeller, and so increase the speed when under sail, Subsequent to my joining the ship. the original masts and yards were removed, and Tight pole masts with force and aft sails substituted, 30. that the vessel was no longer capable:
proceeding under sail and was dependent on her steam power alone.
'The Firebrand was" even at that time a very small ship. Her length was only 100 fi, beam 20 ft, and: Graught 33 fi. She was a relic of the past even in those days, and only modern' thing sbout her was a couple of d-inch breech-loading guns. There was a total absence of me chanical appliances, there was not even a hand capstan, and the anchors; were have up by means of 9 rope
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.