E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Steam-kettles.
Contemptuous name applied to vessels propelled by steam-power, whether steamers, men-of-war, or any other craft.
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“These steam-kettles of ours can never be depended upon. I wish we could go back to the good old sailing ships. When we had them we knew what we were about… . Now we trust to machinery, and it fails us in time of need.”—Kingston: The Three Admirals, chap. xvi
