sentry-boats

Many fire-ships were sent down from time to time, but Alexander had organized a systematic patrol of a few sentry-boats, armed with scythes and hooks, which rowed up and down in front of the rafts, and protected them against invasion. Some little effect was occasionally produced, but there was on the whole more anxiety excited than damage actually inflicted.

John Lothrop Motley - History of the United Netherlands from the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce — Complete (1584-86)

Many fire-ships were sent down from time to time, but Alexander had organized a systematic patrol of a few sentry-boats, armed with scythes and hooks, which rowed up and down in front of the rafts, and protected them against invasion. Some little effect was occasionally produced, but there was on the whole more anxiety excited than damage actually inflicted.

John Lothrop Motley - History of the United Netherlands from the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce, 1585c

Many fire-ships were sent down from time to time, but Alexander had organized a systematic patrol of a few sentry-boats, armed with scythes and hooks, which rowed up and down in front of the rafts, and protected them against invasion. Some little effect was occasionally produced, but there was on the whole more anxiety excited than damage actually inflicted.

John Lothrop Motley - History of the United Netherlands from the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce — Complete (1584-1609)

Many fire-ships were sent down from time to time, but Alexander had organized a systematic patrol of a few sentry-boats, armed with scythes and hooks, which rowed up and down in front of the rafts, and protected them against invasion. Some little effect was occasionally produced, but there was on the whole more anxiety excited than damage actually inflicted.

John Lothrop Motley - PG Edition of Netherlands series — Complete