Ten British Ironclads, floating on the brine:

Reed[69] went out of office, and then there were Nine!

Nine British Ironclads to defend the State:

Reed cocked his eye at them, and then there were Eight!

Eight British Ironclads lying safe in haven:

Reed raked ’em fore and aft, and then there were Seven!

Seven British Ironclads, sound from keel to sticks:

Reed wrote a pamphlet, and then there were Six!

Six British Ironclads—hooray! Jack’s alive!

Reed spoke in Parliament, and then there were Five!