BOARDING a ship, is entering an ene my's ship in a fight. In boarding a ship, it is best to bear up directly with him, and to cause all your ports to leeward to be beat open ; then bring as many guns from your weather side, as you have ports for ; and laying the enemy's ship on board, loof for loof, order your tops and yards to be manned, and furnished with necessaries ; and let all your small shot be in readiness ; then charge at once, with both small and great, and at the same time enter your men under co ver of the smoke, either on the bow of your enemy's ship, or bring your mid ship close up with her quarter, and so enter your men by the shrouds : or if you would use your ordnance, it is best to board your enemy's ship athwart her hawse ; for, in that case, you may use moat of your great guns, and she only those of her prow. Let some of your men endeavour to cut down the enemy's yards and tackle, whilst others clear the 'decks, and beat the enemy from aloft. Then let the scuttles and hatches be , broke open with all possible speed, to avoid trains, and the danger of being blown up by barrels of powder placed un der the decks.
Another method is described in Falco ner's Marine Dictionary, which is as fol lows: the assailant having previously se lected his men, armed with pistols and cutlasses, a number of powder flasks, fitted with fuzes, are provided, to be thrown upon the enemy's deck immedi ately before the assault. Besides this,
the boarder is generally furnished with an earthen shell, called a stink-pot, which, on that occasion, is suspended from his yard-arm or bowsprit end. This machine is also charged with powder, mixed with other inflammable and suffo cating materials, with a slight fuze at the aperture. Thus prepared, and hav ing grappled his adversary, the boarder displays his signal to begin the assault. The fuzes of the stink-pot and powder flasks being lighted, they are immediate ly thrown upon the deck of the enemy, where they burst and catch fire, pro ducing an intolerable stench and smoke, and filling the deck with tumult and dis traction. Amidst the confusion occasion ed. by this infernal apparatus, the detach ment provided rush aboard, sword in hand, under cover of the smoke, on their antagonist, who is in the same predica ment with a citadel stormed by besiegers, and generally overpowered, unless he is furnished with extraordinary means of defence, or equipped with places of re treat, furnished with small arms, &c. which may be fired at any time upon the boarders, and frequently with success.