3-053-600 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Life on board a troop-ship: "Commence Firing", 1873. Engraving from a sketch by Major W. O. Carlile, of the Royal Artillery, of a scene on board the Himalaya troopship. 'Smoking tobacco is allowed at meal-hours - breakfast, dinner, and supper - and after the evening inspection, till a quarter to eight o'clock, when all pipes must be extinguished. The only lawful place for the men smoking is on the upper deck before the mainmast; officers smoke near the mizenmast. The signal for lighting pipes is facetiously called "Commence firing!" and it is given by a blast of the bugle, after the evening inspection'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.