The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-01-06
Toss or Tue ROYAL. GEORGE.

Loss or THE ROYAL GEORGE.
An article 10 going the rounds. being transla-
tion from the German Of narrative Of the sinking
OF the Royal George In Portsmouth harbor,. Eng ],
land, many years ago. This narrative Il full Of
gross errors especially in the fact sha, ball
given on board the ship at the time and nearly
all those who attended L were among the victins
The Admiral commanding the feet and the Cap
tain OF the ship were both on board when the fatal
occurrence took place, but were each engaged in
writing in their cabins. The following account is
believed to be correct one of this remarkableca
tastrophe, by which hundreds Of human beings
were destroyed:
'srhe ship Royal George an English mnn-of
war OF the largest class, with three decks and
hundred guns. Her crew consisted of about nine
hundred men. This ship was lying at Spithead
an anchorage near Portsmouth,, Ia August 1852, all
ready Tor sea. bound for the Mediterranean, in
company with large heet, and carrying the flag Of
Admiral Kenpenieldt fine old officer, nearly 10
years OF age.
On the f9sh Of August, there were on board the
ship, besides the regular crew, some two or three
hundred women, the wives and friends of the sea-
men, also a large number OF Jews, with articles TO
cell, making in ALL between twelve and thirteen
hundred souls on board There was great hustle
and confusion among the crew. the ship was to
sail in day or two, Oh her cruise.
On this memorable day, it was discovered that
water-cock, about three feet below the water line
required some repair, and orders were given to
the huge ship over to the ether side, until the
water-cock should appear above the surface of the
water, so that the plumbers would be able to put il
in order without any difficulty. The guns Were
accordingly run in on the side where the repairs
were required, and run out on the ether, the lar
board or left side; and some other heavy articles
were shifted until thevessel leaned careened over
SO much, that the repairs could be made. A sloop
lane VITA fO
which were hoisted out, and, by strange
neglect, deposited temporarily on that side of the
vessel which already down in the water. This,
OF course increased the heel OF the ship, that is,
caused her 10 lie over more than before; and the
wind increasing, the waves began to form and rush
into the lower deck ports, from which place the
water could not easily escape, and it was washing
about upon the lower deck.
The Carpenter, who was busy below, became
alarmed, and went on deck, where he spoke to the
second Lieutenant, who was the officer of the
watch and advised min TO cause the chip to be
righted without delay. The Lieutenant was, ua-
fortunately, one OF those stubborn, ead-strong
men, who are unwilling TO submits TO any dictation
from inferior or an equal, or TO receive advice
from ar person whatever. such men, by their
thick-headed obstinacy have caused much harm in
the world. The Lieutenant gave the Carpenter a
short answer, intmatiug that he ought to attend 10
his own business, and took measures to right the
ship.
Atthis time the Admiral was in biz casin writ
ing. The Captain, whosename was WaghCrn, was
similarly engaged The5rst Lieutenant busy
below; as there was not supposed to exist any dau
ger whatever the Lieutenant OF the deck had the
sole charge oil the ship.
The Carpenter, who appeared to be the only
person aware OF the perilous situation OF the Roy
al George, soon a5cended again on deck, aud tod
the Lieutenant III manner somewhat authOrlta-
tive, that the ship must be rishted that she would
fiji, if something not Immediately done. Bat
the officer Of the deck was exceedingly indignant
thus being dictated to by interior officer; and
although 10y this time he must haye known the dan
ger the ship was in he waited several minutes be-
fore he ordered the drum to be beat to quarter,
that the guns might be run into their places, and
the ship rishted But before the drummer could
execute the order, flaw of wind struck the ship;
she heeied over more; the water rushed in the
lower deck ports and this large ship, with SO
many persons on board filed and went down!
This was indeed dreadful event. A very
siderable portion Of those on board, wers below,
and, of course, were at once drowned. Some
capped through the starboard ports and those whO
were on the upper deck at the time had To swim
for their lives As the water was only thirteen and
half fathons, or about eighty feet deep, portion
OF the nasts OF the snip remained above water,
and furnished retreat for many OF the scamen
and marines, who would otherwise have been
drowned. The boats OF the ships in the neighbour
hood, immediately put off to the assistance OF the
poor fellows, and in this way number were
saved
Admiral kempenfeldt was drowned in his cabin;
but Captain Washorn had an infimation of the
danger in tineto rush deck before the ship filled,
and he was saved. The Lieutenant, whose obsti-
macy and want of judgment contributed 30 much
to bring about this fatal catastrophe, drowned,
as was likewise the carpenter who warned him OF
the danger which threatened the vessel. The whole
number saved probably did not exceed two hundred
and fifty; and OF course there were more than one
thousand persons drowned by the sinking of the
Royal George, while lying at anchor in the harbor
OF Spithead Only one of the many women
board was saved, and she dragged out OF
port, as the ship was sinking. A poor little boy
was saved rather strangely. He picked up by
agentleman who had hastenedto the scene OF dis
tress IN small boat in order to rescue some of the
unfortunate persons If possible. The little boy,
only about three years DID, was holding on to tae
wool ola sheep, which had escaped and was swim
ming. His father and mother both persisted ia the
ship and he did not even know their names. All
that he knew was that his Jack. the
name of Jack Lamb was given him. and the gentle
man who saved him, took care OF him, educated
him. and put him in the way OF getting respecta-
~ble lsSsT1ood
Within a lew years attempts have been made by
means OF tspeoOes and submarine armoi, to blow
up the decks OF this ship, obtain accesso the hold
and remove the hull from the anchorage. The ex-
perme.ts have proved successful and guns, anchors
and other articles which belonged to this illtated
vessel have been brought up from the spot, many
feet below the surface Ut the water, where they
had been reposiug undis,urbed for more than sixty
years r
ARRIVAL OF TIE UNITED STArEs-The steamer
United States. at New Orleans, brings dates from
Aspinwau to the 27th Of December:
The health of Panama good The passen-
- gers OF the wrecked steamer Winfield Scott had
S<Eiyed- safely al Panama.
Advices have been received from Valparaiso to
Dec LIST. The wheat crop OF Chill will fall much
short this season. '--~
Later advices have como to hand from Australia
The dates are TO the 18TH October General news
unimpoftaat. The market at Sydney was active
and business prosperous.
INDIAN NEws.--The mail from Fort Iaranliear
rived at Louisville Oh the Ist inst, having left on
the 18th alt:
The Pawnees had gone into winter quarters, and
the Sioux warriors were returning to their homes
There has been no fighting since the last news
Inc Juan Indians profess 10 be pentent since hear
ing that Capt Gunnison's party were nor Nor
mons.
Mr., WALL living near Roctor,own, Fauouier
mueH injured nv hal u r,,,,, s., L..