The fire and explosion aboard L'Orient

Once fire appeared on L'Orient's lower decks, nearby British ships deliberately kept firing into the affected area to obstruct firefighting. Ships then pulled away, shut gunports, and soaked decks and sails when the flames spread into the rigging. Flaming wreckage caused further explosions aboard Franklin, while the British ships were better prepared to prevent fires. The exact ignition remains uncertain, although spilled gunpowder handled by an inexperienced crew offers one proposed route for a flame to spread. At least two large explosions destroyed the flagship, a smaller blast followed by a larger one. The estimate is roughly a thousand dead and fewer than a hundred survivors. After a brief lull, Nelson ordered boats to rescue survivors before combat resumed.