HMS Boyne (1790)
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This article is about HMS Boyne launched in 1790. For other uses, see HMS Boyne.
HMS Boyne was a 98-gun second-rate launched in 1790. She was the flagship of Vice Admiral John Jervis in 1794. She caught fire and was destroyed May 1st, 1796 at Spithead.
Laying at anchor, it is supposed that the ship caught fire unkowingly as the Royal Marines of the vessel were practicing firing exercises. Ironically, because the guns were always left loaded, the cannons began to "cook off" thereby firing shots at potential rescuers making their way to the ship, resulting in the deaths of two seamen and the injury of another aboard HMS Queen Charlotte, anchored nearby. Later in the day, the hulk broke its moorings and began to float freely, and exploded soon after. Eleven sailors were killed as a result of this disaster.
