Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-07-11
A THRILLING INCIDENT.
DAowN,so or A BALL ON sHIpuoAnD

The following vivid account OF the
sinking ofthe Royal George, with ball
in full activity on board, is translated
for the Pennsylvania Inquirer, from the
"Ferty.eight Years Memoirs Of Con.
stitutional Officer" as extracted into
the November number of German
monthly, the Meyers Monatsheite, pub.
iished in New York. 1t will be recol.
lected that the Royal George was com.
mandsd by Admiral Kemperfeld,, aged
20. Between eight and nine hundred
persons perishcd; Of whom three hun.
dred were women and c1 dren-
"ln the sumner of 1882, the Royal
George a stately three decker, Of eighty.
four guns, after an absence oftwo years
on q foreign station, cast anchor at Spit.
head Roads. AT the end Of a week, which
had been employed in removing all ira.
ces Of her long voyage in q thorough
cleansing. the captain issued invitations
to the officers Of the fleet in the Spit.
head waters, and TO the nobility and
gentry Of Portsmouth, for a grand ball
on board. The interior Of the upper
deck. freshly painted from stem to stern,
and elegantly decorated, appeared like
q floating palace. h, o., .,,. ~ a.,.
The appointed hour for the commence.
ment OF the fete had arrived, and the
harbor was gradually covered BY hun.
dreds Of boats, some carrying the invit.
ed guests to the Royal George, and 9th.
ers attracted by curiosity to witness the
delicate homage which British naval OF.
fcers are accustomed 10 be,tow upoh
beauty. All that refined taste could
suggest, ell the most lavish expenditure
procure, had been bestowed upon the
establishment OF the vessel. The deck,
whose entire space was appropriated to
the ball, resemble vast pillared hall,
overswhich, from the masts and yards,
foated tho ,interminglcd folds Of flags
and steamers Of every variety Of color.
Instead Of tapestry, the sides were COW
cred with velvets and silk hanslngs. A.
1S 1ssapng the furniture were 10 be seen the
s21:: en-: II precious ivory work, and dirans
rope pc M s;s hairs Of rose and sandal woods,
a. Ha,; Tofa s and fashioned in a manner to riv.
:Xo,sis9 most ingenious Chinese taste.
..1he awning was composed Of carpets Of
the richest oriental fabric, ornamented
|. with gold and silver embroidery, and
6he rugs before the sta,e.rooms were
foductions Of Cashmere, which might
Re figured as articles of luxury in the
lllspbe Of princely dames. The side
BaBdse elitteted with gold and silver
y Vessels, among which was magnificent
vase, set with costly jewels, the gift Of
an Indian Prince. Otto Of roses in crys.
tai Jars, in inches expressly made, scat
tered IN pro(usion the delicious perfume:
In word, the whole scene, with its
splendid decorations, resemble,l rather
the banquetting room Of royal palace,
than til Q interior Of a flag. snip.
After the admiral had cast last satis'
fed glance upon the tasteful embellsh'
mems, and had passed in review the
brilliant preparations, he repaired to the
deck, where, in state end surrounded
by his officers as a king by his n,bles,
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 smoo'h waters
towards the ship, gaily, dressed boats
bearing the elite Of beauty and mob lily
from Portsmouth, Portsea, the Isle of
Wight, and oher neighboring points
on The coast.-The universal Joy Of the
officers and. guests was enhanced by the
beauty of the night, not cloud dimmed
the radiance Of the stars, and not o
breath Of air rufling the surface OF the
sea. o. ,..-.l..,...-
And ye, destruction was maliciously
hovcring in this hour Of festivity over
the finest ship in the fleet. Already death
invvisioly sat grnning behind the seats
Of those pleasure seeking guests. ol
mutiny there was no apprehension as
tho whole crew were all true and loyal,
anI warmly attached 10 the commando
ing officer; nor was there any possibility
of a leak, as the utmost precaution had
been adopted, and the powder magazine
had been additionally secured by trip
Die fastenings.s Who could have be-
iieyed that the swelling Of a gentle west
wind would be-, sufficient TO produce
catastrophe as unparalleled in its char
ac,er as in its awfu! ncilents.e -.
About two hours later as the ball
was in fullmovement, there arose, not q
liebt bfsczs ,asBat rather breath Of air,
from the southwest, which hardly stirred
Ncurl ofjfiair among thesctowd of dane
(. befS+iss. Thssoscillslipns Which 1t
e :Haeht as it stole across tho motioatess
Tos Il the water, appears to have been
Conner ed.-But,; iinscrutable fate! This
l l,le puff OF air, not sufficient to
ard sound fton the chords OF an
% soIir harp, by the unders well it Great.
al ais krbed the equilibrium Of two i'm.
nsn.e q ain anchors, which, with some
haayy gSns, had been slowed in the o.
psn ports land, on account Of the calm u
weather, IN not been secured ,oy lssten'
ings. This onderous mass started drom
iMibalan anclj j6y-t the motiondof the sea,
Win Iiehthins speed'rollea to the oPPo..
aite side 6r theryesssl, and in a moment
threw the Royal George upon he! side.
One heart piercing cry; Of woe from .
thousand yoices--a sound before which
tSs stoutsst sailor quaIsd-rose in
i,;shtful dissonance, and broke upon
,hs startled ears 81 those I'm the sur
rounding sbiRs aeils b. sshs e1,S ,shs,s the
death wall u The adjacent coa,ts' wneIe le 2
;,rollsd slong Ikea thunder peal,