Maritime History > Kent-built vessels

HMS Royal George (1756 - 1782)

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stuartwaters:
Mr Holinbery would have been at his station on the Quarterdeck as officer of the watch. The captains quarters were also on the Quarterdeck beneath the poop. The rest of the off-duty officers would have been in the wardroom, located on the middle gundeck while Rear-Admiral Kempenfelt's quarters were on the upper gundeck.

MartinR:
Not trying to make any political points, but the officers were more likely to survive, they would be on the poop deck and not down in the bowels of the ship.

stuartwaters:
There was indeed a Court Martial as there always was when a vessel was lost for any reason. The Court Martial Board found that the ship's loss was due to the age and state of decay of her timbers. This was understandable to a degree, HMS Royal George was almost thirty years old at the time of her loss. Many suspect a cover-up though . The ship should have been given a thorough survey before she was fitted for sea and this should have revealed any rot which was so bad as to cause the ship to sink at her mooring inside a harbour. Given the scale of the tragedy, the Royal Navy was also keen to avoid the finger of blame and any allegations of incompetence being behind the sinking.


Mr Holinbery, the Third Lieutenant, was amongst the survivors, but was exonerated by the Court Martial. Captain Waghorn also survived, as did the the Carpenter. Most of the survivors were taken to HMS Victory which was moored nearby, but the Carpenter died a few days later.


Dozens of people were crushed when the guns broke free and crushed them against the port side of the ship, where they had fallen as the ship capsized.

Dave Smith:
And thanks from me too Stuart.- phew, some read! Would they have had a court of enquiry in those days? Holinbery's name would have come up in looking for an explanation, but he was probably lost with all those other poor souls?

Lutonman:
A really interesting read Stuart

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