 Smith ordered Miller to intercept them.Miller was preparing his ship to depart when an unknown accident occurred.Lieutenant England wrote in a report to Sir Sidney Smith It is with extreme concern I have to acquaint you, that yesterday morning, at half-past nine o'clock, twenty 36-howitzer shells, and fifty 18-pounder shells, had been got up and prepared ready for service by Captain Miller's order...when in an instant...the whole was on fire and a dreadful explosion took place.