Possible Clues:

• Galley type
• Roman/Greek galley
• Ship engineers needed for end of journey
• Hear! Hear! Improve calibre of vessel!
• Vessel I used in two rivers flowing into a third
• Ancient battleship with three banks of oars on each side
• Ship engineers needed on short voyage
• Virtually all old masters turned up, including Turner's 'Last Ship'
• Worth getting up to catch beginning of reveille on oriental boat
• Hearing of attempt, engineers get an old ship