"The Iron Pirate" is the tale of a great gas-driven iron-clad, which could outpace the navies of the world and terrorize the Atlantic Ocean. Constructed of a phosphor-bronze alloy with engines in the vessel that burn hydrogen, manufactured by passing steam through hot coal to produce a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, the nameless ship is captained by the infamous Captain Black and it brings horror to every ship and every sailor that comes in its path.
The "gas" engines in the vessel burned hydrogen, what used to be called "water gas", manufactured by passing steam through hot coal to produce a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
"Captain Black" is a sequel to the tale of The Iron Pirate and the terrible captain who comes to life again. After his iron ship was sunk in the Atlantic, Captain Black comes back with an electric submarine armed with different electrical devices, compasses, periscopes, projectors, liquid oxygen, and machines for bringing death on the level so massive and dreadful which can only be related with the deeds of the unbeatable Captain Black.

Max Pemberton (1863-1950) was a popular English novelist, working mainly in the adventure and mystery genres. Pemberton was member of a criminology literary society known as 'Our Society' along with eleven other notable members including Bertram Fletcher Robinson and Arthur Conan Doyle.