Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-09
A Thrilling Scene.
DROWNING OF A BALL ON sHIPBoARD.


The following vivid account of the sinking of
the Royal George, with ball in iul activity on
board, is translated for The PENNSYLVANIA Enquirer
from the " ory eight years Memories of a Cons-
,uonal Officer" as extracted from the November
number oil German monthly, the Meyers lohat.
shefie published in New York 1t will be recol.
iected that The Royal George was commanded by
Admiral KempeTfeIdt aged 10. Between eight
and neihundred persons persisted; ofwhcm three
hundred were women and children
" In the summer of 1889, The Royal George, a!
stately three DECKER of eighty -four guns, alter an
absence OF two years al foreign station, cast an
chor in SpiIheAd roads At The end OF week
which had been employed in removing all traces
OF her long voyage, and in thorough cleansing,
the captain issued invitations TO The officers OF the
fleet in the Sprhead waters and the nobility and
gentry OF Portsmouth, for grand ball on board -
The interior ofhe upper deck, freshly painted from
stem TO stern, and elegantly decorated, appeared
like floating palace.
The appointed hour for The commencement of
the tete had arrived, and the harbor was gradually
covered by hundreds of boats some carrying the
invited guests the Royal Geo,ge, and others al.
lracted by curiosity to witness the delicate homage
which British naval officers are accustomed 10
bes'ow upon beauty All that The most refined
tasle could suggest and The most avished expendi-
lure procure had been bestowed upon the embel-
lishmen OF The vessel The deck, whose entire
space was Appropriated to the ball, resembled
vas, pi!ared hall, over which, from The mast and
| ,b ,I,I( (.I 4
flags and steamers OF evsry variety of color IN
stead Of tapestry, the sides covered with vel.
vets and silk hangings Among he furniture were
10 be seen the most precious ivory work, and dvans
and chairs OF rose and sandle woods carved and
| fashioned in manner 10 rival The most ingenious
! Chinese taste. The awning was composed of
carpets of The richest oriental fabric, or0amented
with gold and silver embroidery, and The rugs
before The State rooms were productions of Cache.
mere, which might have figured as Articles of
luxury in the wardrobes Of princey DANES. The
sldeboards gliuered with gold and silver vessels,
among which was a magnificent vase. sci with
| costly jewels, the gift OF an East India prince. Ouo
OF roses in crystal jars in inches expressly made,
scattered in profnsion its delicious perfume In a
word, the whole scene with its splendid decorations
resembed rather the banqueiing room of royal
! palace than the interior oil flag ship
| After The admiral had cas, a last satisfied Glance
upon the tasteful embellishments, and had passed
review the brilliant preparations he repaired 10 the
| deck where. in state, and surrounded by his Off
GERS as king by his mobiles, he took his post 10
receive his guests Whilst select band of music
| filled the air with melody. from every side there
was seen gliding over the still waters towards the
ship gaily dressed boats bearing the elite of beauty
and nobility from Portsmouth, Por,sea, 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
Ginning the radiance OF The stars and not breath
OF air ruffling The surface of the sea.
And yet destruction was malciousy lowering
in this hour of fesiviiy, over The fines, ship in the
fleet. Already death invisibly sal grnning behind
The seats of these pleasure seeking guests or
mutny there was no apprehension, The whole
crew all true and loyal and warmly attached
10 the commanding officer nor was there any
possibility of leak, as the utmost precautions had
been adopted and The powder magazine had been
additionally secured by triple fasrenngs. Who
could have believed that the swelling of gentle
west wind wonld be sufficient 10 produce a calas
roph unparalleled in its character as in its awful
| incidents
About two hours later, as the ball was in full
movement there arose, not a light breeze but
rather a breath Of air from the southwest which
hardly stirred curl Of hair among The crowd Of
! dancing beauties. The oscillation which ii brought
as i, stole across The molioness face of the waller
appears TO have been unnoiiced But, inscruiable
| fa'ei This insensibe puff of air. not sufficen, 10
| draw a sound from the chords of an &c Dlian harp,
bul The under swell it created, disturbed The equi-
brum of two immense chain anchors which
I with some heavy guns, had been slowed IN The
open ports, and on account OF the calm weather,
had not been secured by fastenings. This pom.
derous mass started from its balance by the motion
of he sea, and with lightning speed, rolled to the
opposite side OF the ship, and in instant threw
the Royal George upon her side. One heart pierre
ing cry OF woe from u thousand voces-a sound
before which the sioutes sailor quailed-rose in
frighlful dissonsnce, and broke upon the startled
ears of those in The surrounding ships, while echo
bore the death wall 10 the adjacent coasts whers
rolled along like thunder peal, deadening the
roar of the surf, and striking with terror the shud.
dering inhabitants
| The lofty masts Immediately bowed 10 The SUI
face OF the sea, which at first, as il were overswed
by the sudden cessation OF the prevailing Joy re-
ceded in a wide circle, and then as quickly return
ed, as ii 10 the execution OF fearful Judgment,
pouring over The high buwarks and through The
PORTFOLIOS into the inEermos recesses Once more
the stately fabric IN all lie imposing mass, upon the
restoration for moment, oi its lost balance, lhro'
the settling waters erect as # TO display in full
majesty The imposing grandeur ofits form Proudly