Bomb ketch is now generally used to designate the more 
old-fashioned sort of mortar vessels (galiotes a bombes). They were 
built strong enough to resist the shock caused by the recoil of the 
mortar, 60 to 70 feet long, 100 to 150 tons burden; they drew 
from 8 to 9 feet water, and were rigged usually with 2 masts. They 
used to carry 2 mortars and some guns. The sailing qualities of 
these vessels were naturally very inferior. A tender, generally a 
brig, was attached to them, which carried the artillerymen and the 
greater part of the ammunition, until the action commenced. 

Written between September 29 and Oc- Reproduced from The New Ameri- 
tober 6, 1857 can Cyclopaedia 

Cyclopaedia, Vol. III, 1858