HMS Antelope was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the Royal Navy, built in 1703. The ship had an active service history, participating in various naval engagements, including the Battle of Vigo Bay in 1702 and the Battle of Barfleur in 1704. In 1704, Antelope was involved in a skirmish with French privateers off the coast of Guernsey, during which it was heavily damaged and subsequently grounded to prevent sinking. However, the ship exploded and was destroyed due to the fire reaching its powder magazine, resulting in significant loss of life among the crew. The wreck of the HMS Antelope was discovered in the late 20th century off the coast of Guernsey, and archaeological surveys have revealed important historical insights about the ship and its final moments. The discovery of the wreck has provided valuable information for maritime historians studying naval warfare during the early 18th century.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.