[Ads-l] antedating "fireship"

[Jonathan Lighter]

OED: "A ship loaded with burning material and explosives, which is set
adrift near enemy ships or installations to ignite and destroy them."  1626.

1608 Anon. _An historicall and true discourse, of a voyage made by the
Admirall Cornelis Matelife the yonger_ (London: William Barett) 51 [EEBO]:
 The next morning the Vice-roy himselfe caused fire to bee put into three
of the Gallions, so great was their feare: I  seeing that presently
retired, thinking them to bee fire shippes sent for to burne vs.

JL

"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

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