Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-31
A Trilling Scene.

DROWNING OF A BALL ON sHIpBoARD
The following vivid account of the sinking
of the Royal George, with ball in full activity
on board, is translated for the Pennsylvania
Enquirer from the /" Forty-eight years Memoirs
Of Constitutional officer" as extracted into
the November number of German monthly,
the Meyers Monatshefte, published in New
York 1t will be recollected that the Royal
George was commanded by Admiral Kemper-
feldt, aged 10. Between eight hundred and
nine hundred persons perished of whom three
hundred were women and children:
SIN the summer of 1882 the Royal George
stately three decker, of eighty-four guns,
after an absence of two years on a foreign sta
ton, cast anchor in Spithead roads. At the
end of a week, which had been employed in re-
moving all traces Of her long voyage, and in
thorough cleansing, the captain issued invita-
tions to the officers of the fleet in the Spithead
waters, and to the nobility and gentry Of Ports
mouth, for grand ball on board. The inte-
rior of the upper deck, freshly painted from
stem to stern, and elegantly decorated, appeared
like floating palace.
The appointed hour for the commencement
of the fete had arrived, and the harbor was
gradually covered by hundreds of boats, some
carrying the invited guests to the Royal George,
and others attracted by curiosity to witness the
delicate homage which British naval officers are
accustomed to bestow upon beauty All that
the most refined taste could suggest and the
most lavish expenditure procure, had been be-
slowed upon the establishment of the vessel.
The deck, whose entire space was appropriated
to the ball. resembled vast pillared hall, over
which from the masts and yards foated the in
termingled folds of numberless flags and
streamers of every variety of color. Instead of
t.,1a a.t-, 4ha xuyfh VOL Iyafe
and silk hangings. Among the furniture we're
to be seen the most precious ivory work, and
divans and chairs of rose and sandal woods,
carved and fashioned in manner to rival the
most ingenious Chinese taste The awning
was composed of carpets of the richest oriental
fabric, ornamented with gold and silver embroi-
dery, and the rugs before the state rooms We're
productions of Cachemere, which might have
figured as articles of luxury in the wardrobe OF
princely danes. The sideboards glittered with
gold and silver vessels, among which was a
magnificent vase, set with costly Jewels, the
gift of an East India prince Otto of roses in
crystal jars, in inches expressly made, scat
tered in profusion its delicious perfume. In a
word, the whole scene, with its splendid decora-
tons, resembled rather the banqueting room of
royal palace than the interior of flag ship.
After the admiral had cast last satisfied
glance upon the taSte1ul emDenSnmentS, ana
had passed in review the brilliant preparations,
he repaired to the deck, where, in state and sur
rounded by his officers as a king by his mobiles,
he took his post to receive his guests, Whilst
select band of music filled the air with melody,
from every side there was seen gliding over the
smooth waters towards the ship, gaiy dressed
boats bearing the elite of beauty and nobility
from Portsmouth, Portsea, the Isle Of Wight,
and other neighboring points on the coast.
The universal Joy of the officers and guests was
enhanced by the beauty Of the night, not a
cloud dimmed the radiance of the stars and
not breath Of air rufiling the surface Of the
sea.
And yet destruction was maliciously hover
ing in this hour Of festivity over the finest ship
in the feet Already death invisibly sat grin
ming behind the seats of these pleasure seeking
guests OF mutiny there was no apprehension,
as the whole crew were all true and loyal, and
warmly attached to the commanding officer;
nor was there any possibility Of leak, as the
utmost precautions had been adopted, and the
powder magazine had been additionally Sc
cured by triple fastenings Who could have
believed that the swelling of gentle west wind
would be sufficient to produce catastrophe as
unparalleled in It's character as in its awful in
cidents.
About two hours later, as the ball was in
full movement, there arose, not light breeze
but rather n breath OF air, from the southwest,
which hardly stirred curl of hair among the
crowd OF dancing beauties. The oscillation