Year: 1859




A boy took his uncle down Oh Long Wharf
to see a new ship that lay there. His uncle
was au old ship master, and Harry was at
some pains to show him round. partly to show
him his own knowledge. There was only
one sailor on board, and as the visitors passed
and re-passed the matches, Mind ye, mind ye,"
he said "don't fall into the hold, or ye'd never
see daylight again"


"There is no danger of my uncle" said Har-
ry proudly, "he knows a ship from stem to
stern and | do too"


AS they came down the ladder and walked
away, Il was so provoked with that old salt, "
said he; :" he seemed to think we were know
nothing laudsmen, with not sense enough to
keep from pitching into the first danger. |
wonder you should thank him for the advice,
uncle | was provoked"


L should be very sorry to take offence at
we'll meant advice" said the uncle "Did you
ever read about the Royal George, Harry?"


You mean that big ship which foundered
one pleasant day in some English harbor, and
all on board pershed. | knoow smething about
it but tell me more, uncle. How did it
happen?"


&c 1t was at Spithead, where the English
feet were at anchor. The R0yaL George was
the flagship, and the Admiral KempenfeItS
blue flag foated from the mzzen. She was a
fine ship of hundred guns She was about
ready for sea, when the Lieutenant discovered
that the water cock was ont of order. 1t was
not thought necessary to haul her into dock
for repairs but keel her over until the damaged
part was above water and repair her there.
Keeling a ship, you know is making her lean
over on one side A gang of men was sent
from the Falmouth dockyards to help the
ships carpenters The larboard guns were
run out as far as possible, and the starboard
guns in midShps, which made the ship keel to
larboard, so that her starboard side was far up
out of the water The workmen had got at
the mouth of the water pipe, when lighter,
laden with rum, came along side, and all hands
were piped to clear her. Now the port-sill of
the larboard side was nearly even with the
water before the lighter came alongside, and
when the men went down to take in her casks,
the ship keeled more than ever besides, the
sea had grown rougher since morning, washing
the water into the lower deck ports.


The carpenter saw there was danger. He
ran to the second lieutenant, who was an Off
Ger of :he watch and told him the ship must
be righted. The lieutenant, angry that the
carpenter should dictate him, ordered him back
to his work. Growing every instant more con-
vinced Of the eminent peril of the ship,t the man
went second time to the officer, warning him
that all would be lost if the vessel was not
righted instantly; but he only got volley Of
oaths for his pains. The lieutenant, however,
at last ordered the drummer to beat to quar-
terS but, before the drummer had time to lay
hold Of his drum, the ship keeled over little
and little more, and the men began to scram-
bic down the hatchways to put the heavy guns
in their proper places. Alas, it was too late.
Men may begin their duty too late. Already
the water was rushing in she filed rapidly,
settled fast and almost before help or rescue
could be thought of, down went the Royal
George carrying her admiral, officers. men, and
many mobiles and strangers on board, to the
numbr of thousand souls, down, down, to a
watery grave, so awfaly sudden, that few
only on the upper deck could save themselves.
And to perish on a fair day, in sight of land,
surrounded by feet of ships, all aggravated
the terrible disaster. AS an English poet,
Cowper, has it: