fire ship

American  

noun

1. a vessel loaded with combustibles and explosives, ignited, and set adrift to destroy an enemy's ships or constructions.

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fire ship British  

noun

1. a vessel loaded with explosives and used, esp formerly, as a bomb by igniting it and directing it to drift among an enemy's warships

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Etymology

Origin of fire ship

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fire ship

Somers died when the fire ship he commanded exploded in Tripoli Harbor.

From Washington Times ● May 27, 2017

The fire ship in its place at the head of the line soon met the largest ship, and instantly grappled itself firmly to her side.

From Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 5 by Sylvester, Charles Herbert

The Newcastle, man-of-war; the Queenborough, frigate; and the Protector, fire ship were driven ashore and dashed to pieces; but the crews, with the exception of seven, were saved.

From With Clive in India Or, The Beginnings of an Empire by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

He placed one of these in command of each fire ship, and gave him four of the sailors.

From A Knight of the White Cross : a tale of the siege of Rhodes by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

The fire ship was ordered to go ahead of the rest of the vessels, and at the earliest moment to grapple with the largest of the Spanish ships.

From Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 5 by Sylvester, Charles Herbert