High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! HMS Doterel was a Doterel-class sloop launched in 1880. She sank at anchor off Punta Arenas after an explosion on 26 April 1881 with the loss of 143 lives while on her way to join the Pacific Station. Her loss was initially the source of much speculation. Causes considered included an attack by the Fenians, a lost torpedo and a coal gas explosion. It was eventually determined to have been caused by the explosion of a flammable oil-drying compound called "xerotine siccative", which was subsequently withdrawn from use in ships.