- HMS Firebrand (1694)
HMS "Firebrand" was a
Royal Navy fireship built atLimehouse in 1694,cite news|url=http://www.sfu.ca/casr/101-navy-aux-ytr-fire.htm|title=Canadian Forces Small Ships — the "Fire"-class YTR Rescue Boats|publisher=Canadian American Strategic Review|accessdate=2008-02-13|] the first Royal Naval vessel to bear the name.Career
"Firebrand" served in the
Caribbean andMediterranean .cite news|url=http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART38881.html|title=Archaelogists investigate 18th Century Scilly Isles Fireship wreck|publisher=The National Virtual Museum|author=Caroline Lewis|date=July 27 2006 |accessdate=2008-02-13] She is recorded as convoying five merchantmen in company with HMS "Winchester" nearBarbados in March 1695. [cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=70813|title=British History Online|accessdate=2008-09-12]Loss
"Firebrand" was lost in 1707 when a disastrous navigational error sent
Admiral SirCloudesley Shovell 's fleet through dangerous reefs near theIsles of Scilly west ofCornwall . "Firebrand", "Association", "Eagle", and "Romney" were lost, with a total of 1500 sailors.cite web|url=http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2006/1032.html|title=Bristol University News, 19 July 2006 - "Scillies shipwreck investigated"|accessdate=2008-09-12] She lies between the islands of St Agnes and the islet of Annet in position coord|49|53|20|N|06|20|35|W [cite web|url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/Tearing_Ledge_Archaeological_report_final_version_with_figs.pdf|title=Archeological Report on the Tearing Ledge, Scilly Isles|accessdate=2008-09-12] at a depth of 8 to 25 meters.citeweb|url=http://www.divesitedirectory.co.uk/dive_site_uk_england_scilly_isles_wreck_hms_firebrand.html|title=Dive Site Directory|accessdate=2008-09-12]Discovery of the wreck
The wreck was discovered in Smith Sound in 1982, and several items were recovered, including guns and anchors, a wooden "nocturne" (for the time at night), a bell and carved cherubs. [ [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/119565623/PDFSTART International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, Volume 11, Issue 3 (p 254-257)] ] A 2006 expedition was planned to explore the wreck.
References
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