<head>Naval Matters</head>The engine for throwing fire used by Pausistratus, the Rhodian admiral, was funnel-shaped.
On each side of the ship's prow noosed ropes were run along the inner side of the hull, into which were fitted poles stretching out seawards.
From the extremity of each hung by an iron chain the funnel-shaped vessel full of fire,
so that, in charging or passing, the fire was shot out of it into the enemy's ship, but was a long way from one's own ship owing to the inclination.
Pamphilidas, the Rhodian admiral, was considered more adequate to any occasion than Pausistratus because he was by nature rather wise and steadfast than venturesome.
For most men are good at judging of a situation rather from what happens to occur than by reasoning things out.
They had appointed Pausistratus for this very reason, that he was energetic and daring, but all of a sudden they entirely changed their minds owing to his disaster.
Walbank Commentary