fire ship

noun

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

fire ship

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fire ship¹

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

But a shower of shells sent the daring tug-boat to the bottom, and the fire-ship floated away.

From Project Gutenberg

The other and larger fire-ship, called the "Hope," narrowly escaped a similar fate.

From Project Gutenberg

A fire-ship falling foul of four Dutch ships, the whole were burnt.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 12th of August it appeared at Deptford, on board the Providence fire-ship, which was just fitting out to go to sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Captain Heath, however, succeeded in burning her with another fire-ship, in the most gallant manner.

From Project Gutenberg