I have it on the authority of the Honolulu County Medical Examiner that
the pyrolisis of fingernails occurs at temperatures in excess of 1500
degress F. At this temperature the solid matter of the nails begins to
vaporize in minute quanities to support combustion. (Provided the final
side of the fire triangle is present -oxygen.)

Dunno if Greek Fire could generate that kind of temperature in an open
air environment unless there was a lot of wind to provide oxygen and the
fire was allowed to build in intensity. However a fire below decks where
the heat would have a chance to build up could be very disasterous for
Hel's ship. 

Glad I'm not on *her* Damage Control Party, I hate wearing a Fire
Fighting Ensemble, and the Scott Air Pack is too heavy and clumsy for
the amount of air you get. (Being the nozzleman on the hose is kinda
neat though.)

Couldn't find anything particularly useful from my Naval Institute Press
catalogue for the era you requested. One possible angle is Le Bohec's
"The Imperial Roman Army," which makes reference to Roman Navy and if I
remember correctly can refer you to another book dedicated to the topic.

J. Austin Wilde
-- 
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//                                             =======  \\
|| J. Austin Wilde   <jaustin@aloha.net>-**   //         ||
|| Head Ranger: Fission Park Press-------**  //======\   ||
|| Hired Gun: P-P-P-Chan Productions-----** // //   //   ||
|| Knight Bachelor of the Crimson Sword--**// //====/    ||
|| "Those who have fought to preserve----**  //  Fission ||
||  freedom find that it has a flavor----** //  Park     ||
||  the protected will never know."------**    Press     ||
 \\_____________________________________________________//