Scilly naval disaster of 1707
An 18th-century engraving of the disaster, with HMS Association in the centre | |
| Occurrence | |
|---|---|
| Date | 22 October 1707 |
| Summary | Navigation accident |
| Site | Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, England, Great Britain 49°51′56″N 6°23′50″W / 49.86556°N 6.39722°W |
| Operator | Royal Navy |
| Destination | Portsmouth, England |
| Fatalities | 1,400–2,000 |
| Injuries | 13 |
| Survivors | 13 |
The Scilly naval disaster of 1707 was the loss of four warships of a Royal Navy fleet off the Isles of Scilly in severe weather on 22 October 1707. Between 1,400 and 2,000 sailors lost their lives aboard the wrecked vessels, making the incident one of the worst maritime disasters in British naval history. The disaster has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the navigators' inability to accurately calculate their positions, errors in the available charts and pilot books, and inadequate compasses.