fire ship

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

Origin of fire ship

First recorded in 1580–90

Within half a cable's length of them was a fire-ship, with six others following in a compact semicircle.

The Rock of the Lion |Molly Elliot Seawell
The command was given to officers not noble, with the grade of captain of fire-ship.

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783 |A. T. Mahan
A little to the windward of the position assigned to the English corvette Dartmouth there lay a Turkish fire-ship.

History of Modern Europe 1972-1878 |C. A. Fyffe
A fire-ship, filled with every combustible substance, was towed into their midst, and at ten o'clock the torch was applied.

Harper's New Monthly Magazine |Various

Having cleaned the vessels and fitted up a fire-ship, the squadron landed at Paita, but found it deserted.

The Monarchs of the Main, Volume II (of 3) |Walter Thornbury

fire ship

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