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HMS Bulwark explodes off Sheerness, 26 November 1914. Image courtesy Imperial War Museum.

HMS Bulwark explodes off Sheerness, 26 November 1914. Image courtesy Imperial War Museum.

  • HMS Bulwark is destroyed by an internal explosion off Sheerness in the Thames estuary while loading ammunition. There are only 14 survivors from the crew of 750; two would die later from their injuries. In terms of loss of life, this incident remains the second most catastrophic accidental explosion in UK history. It is exceeded only by the explosion of the Vanguard at Scapa Flow in 1917.