[2] Spontaneous combustion that occurred in the cargo resulted in her destruction in 1834 in the Indian Ocean about 1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km; 1,200 mi) from Rodrigues Island at 10°S 77°E / 10°S 77°E / -10; 77.

Earl of Eldon departed Bombay on 24 August 1834, bound for London with many passengers and a cargo of cotton.

Forty-five men, women and children and the crew took to three ship's boats to make their escape.

After they had rowed for an hour, Earl of Eldon's powder-magazine exploded, causing the ship to disintegrate spectacularly.

On 10 October, after 13 days and a voyage of 450 miles at sea in open boats, all 45, including four women and an infant, arrived safely at Rodrigues.