Fire.—His Majesty's ship Dover, of 44 guns, had been prepared as a floating barrack for the new division of marines, called the Woolwich division, and was placed alongside the upper end of that town, near to the mast-houses, close to the quay. About half past twelve o'clock on Wednesday morning, the centinel (sic) on the poop of the ship gave the alarm of fire, which was-passed to the dock-yard. The fire-bell was rung and instantly relief and assistance were afforded to those on board, who were in number about 120 men, 50 women, and about half as many children. About two o'clock the Dover was in flames from stem to stern, but 'ere this almost the whole of those on board had effected their escape. Such a scene of distress has been seldom witnessed: men were seen dragging their wives out of the portholes, while mothers were heard screaming for their children; and others were seen leaping from the ship to the shore. The wind was a light breeze from the northward, which proved a most fortunate circumstance; had it been from the north-west, nothing could have saved the mast- houses from taking fire; and if it had been from the north-east, three of his Majesty's Ships, the Matilda, Weymouth, and another, would have been in great danger. The Matilda was the nearest to the Dover, and had Admiral Stanhope's flag on board. The Dover is burnt to the water's edge; but only one man lost his life.
the Cambrian 30 August 1806
