In 1677 '' Sapphire '' was the first command of Cloudesley Shovell , who later became Admiral of the Fleet and eventually died in the Scilly naval disaster of 1707 . '' Sapphire '' was cornered in Bay Bulls Harbour by a French squadron in August – September 1696 . Her master , Captain Thomas Cleasby , in fear that the French would capture the ship , scuttled her and escaped across land to the colony of Ferryland
Scilly naval disaster of 1707
Scilly naval disaster of 1707
HMS Sapphire (1675)