7eat51
03-17-2013, 22:30
On the 17th of March 1800, the HMS Queen Charlotte was destroyed by fire off the island of Cabrera. The Queen Charlotte was a 100-gun SOL, serving as Vice-Admiral Lord Keith’s flagship. At approximately 6:00 in the morning, some loose hay caught fire. A couple of American ships, which were in the area, came to assist in fighting the fire. Unfortunately, the heat of the fire caused some of Queen Charlotte’s guns to explode, killing several of the newly arrived help. One of the British officers, Captain A. Todd, produced written records of the fire, and charged several sailors to relay the account if he perished, which he did. Five hours after the fire started, the ship exploded. In total, 673 officers and sailors perished.
Vice-Admiral Lord Keith:
2482
HMS Queen Charlotte:
2483
Vice-Admiral Lord Keith:
2482
HMS Queen Charlotte:
2483