blockship

English

Etymology

From block +‎ ship.

Noun

blockship (plural blockships)

1. (nautical) A vessel that is deliberately sunk in order to block a waterway (to prevent it being used by an enemy)
   • 1946 September and October, “Notes and News: The War Effect on the Clyde Steamers”, in Railway Magazine, page 324:

     […] the veteran paddle-steamer Gondolier was sunk as a blockship at Scapa Flow; […] .