A Narrative of the Loss of H.M.S. Royal George, of 108 Guns, Sunk at Spithead, August 29th, 1782; with a Concise Account of Colonel Pasley's Operations on the Wreck in 1839 & 1840

Portsmouth: Published by John Miller, Jun. 1840. First edition, 12mo (112 x 65 mm), 80, [2]pp., advertisement leaf at end for relics from the wreck, wood-engraved portrait frontispiece and 3 plates, marbled endpapers, original morocco-backed wooden boards made from timbers of the wreck of the Royal George, boards split, but holding firm, edges gilt. The Royal George,108 guns, the oldest first-rate in the Navy, was anchored at harbour where she was hove down for minor repair. The officer of the day refused to heed a seaman who warned him that the ship was taking in water through the ports. The ship sank as she took in water, and went to the bottom with 1200 people on board, including 250 women and children; nearly 900 of them drowned, including Admiral Kempenfeldt. The Royal George was launched in 1751, and had served as the flagship for Anson, Boscawen, Hawke, Rodney, and Howe. Her hull was finally broken up by exploding gunpowder in 1839-41. (Huntress). After the recovery of the timbers from the wreck by Colonel Pasley, they were sold to E. & E. Emanuel (Goldsmiths to the Queen) who reworked them into 'Genuine Relics of the Royal George', i.e. Carved Chairs, Tables, Work Boxes, Walking Sticks, Ink Stands, etc. Huntress, pp. 51 & 145.