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A Narrative of the loss of the ROYAL GEORGE at Spithead, August, 1782
A Narrative of the loss of the ROYAL GEORGE at Spithead, August, 1782

A Narrative of the loss of the ROYAL GEORGE at Spithead, August, 1782

Author
Printer
Publisher
Datec 1850
Object number00004505
NameBook
MediumInk on paper, bound in wood boards, leather spine, gilt
DimensionsOverall: 23 x 112 x 72 mm, 0.1 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Keith Wingrove
DescriptionBook titled 'A Narrative of the Loss of the ROYAL GEORGE at Spithead, August, 1782. Tracey's Attempt to Raise Her in 1783; Her Demolition and Removal by Major-General Pasley's Operations in 1839-40-41-42 & 43; Including a Statement of Her Sinking'. Written by its then Flag-Lieutenant, Admiral Sir C.P.H. Durham, G.C.B. Late Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth. An account of attempts to raise the ROYAL GEORGE at Spithead. A small clipping has been pasted on to the first page 'The publisher begs to inform the public that the timber from which the covers of this book were made, was purchased at H M Dock Yard, Portsmouth, and they may fully confide on its being a genuine relic of the ill-fated ROYAL GEORGE'.HistoryHMS ROYAL GEORGE sank during maintenance off Portsmouth in August 1762 with an estimate loss around 900 lives, many of whom were civilians and not crew. Built in 1755 the ROYAL GEORGE had served in the Seven Years War and the American Revolutionary War. At the time of its sinking, the ship was anchored at Spithead being refitted for a posting in Gibraltar. Part of the maintenance required the ship to be heeled over but accounts suggest that shifted weight of the cannons and the continual loading of supplies caused the ship to take on water through its ports and by the time it was realised and attempts were made to rectify the situation, it was too late and the ship sank quickly. Being so close to shore the disaster was witnessed by many on land and had a devastating effect on the Portsmouth region. Aboard the vessel and believed to have been trapped in his cabin was Rear-Admiral Kempenfelt who drowned along with many women and children who were aboard the vessel visiting family members. The sinking of the ROYAL GEORGE with such a huge loss of life in calm waters and within sight of shore had a traumatic effect on Britain, particularly the Royal Navy. Some metal and timbers that could be salvaged from the wreck were made into various forms of national memorials and small souvenirs, such the covering of this book. It is believed that the publisher produced two thousand of these small, portable volumes while others turned metal into household items such as snuffboxes. On a larger scale, some of the ship's cannons were melted down to form the base of Nelson’s column at Trafalgar Square. SignificanceThe sinking of the ROYAL GEORGE and the enormous loss of life became a cause of shared national grief with both naval seamen and civilians providing a market for tangible reminders and relics of the occasion.