Though she looked only fit for harbour work, Paul said that she had been out in heavy weather, and proved a fair sea-boat.  The only place that people live on, when not below, is the hurricane-deck.  In this centre structure are doorways which can be closed at sea.  They lead down into the cabins below, as well as to the hurricane-deck, out of which rise the two funnels and an iron signal-mast.  This is thick enough to enable a person to ascend through its inside to a crow's-nest on the top, which serves as a look-out place.  From it also projects the davits for hoisting up the boats.  On the hurricane-deck stands the captain's fighting-box, cased with iron.  Here also is the steering apparatus and wheel.  When in action, all the officers and men would be sent below except the helmsmen, who are also protected, with the captain and a lieutenant, and the men inside the turrets working the guns.  These are so powerful that they can penetrate armour six inches thick at the distance of nearly three miles.