the Journals of the late Reuben Burrow. 197 



and if literally true, do not convey a very pleasing impression of 

 the state of naval discipline at that period. 



"August 29, 1782. The Royal George, a 100 gun-ship, at 

 Spithead, sunk in about thirteen fathom water, owing to their 

 giving her too great an inclination in scrubbing her bottom and 

 the carelessness of Captain Waghorn. Admiral Kempenfelt 

 was on board, and was drowned with the rest : about 800 men 

 and 200 women were drowned. I was told by several people 

 that the Captain had notice given him of his danger two or three 

 times; once or twice by the other ships, and also by his 

 carpenter and the cockswain. The ship is laid on her side, 

 making an angle of about 40° with the horizon, but no attempts 

 have been made to right her. A Diving Bell was made in the 

 Dock Yard for the purpose of ... I never heard what 

 . . . but no steps were taken that had any apparent utility. 

 I therefore wrote the following letter to the Board of Admi- 

 ralty : — 



" ' To the Right Honorable Lords of the Admiralty. 



" ' May it please your Lordships, — 



" ' As raising the Ship lately sunk at Spithead is a matter of no 

 great difficulty, I am surprised no steps are taken towards it that 

 have any appearance of success. To right the Ship, nothing 

 more is necessary than to moor two or more vessels on that side 

 of the ship which lies uppermost and in a direction perpendicular 

 to her ; and to fasten ropes and cables to her masts, &c. ; and 

 not only to employ the force of each of their capstans, but also to 

 take the advantage of the tide, and likewise the force of the 

 wind, if necessary. When she is thus righted and retained so, 

 which may easily be done, the upper deck will not be far from 

 the surface of the water, and it will be much easier to get any- 

 thing out of the Ship, either by means of the Diving Bell, or 

 otherwise, than in the manner she lies at present. 



" ( As to raising her after she is righted, I know no better 

 methods than those of Tartaglia and De La Hire, but the detail 

 of these may be greatly improved, and I should recommend the 

 Board to employ Mr. James Creasy, of Boston in Lincolnshire, 

 in this business ; as he is not only well acquainted with matters 

 of this kind, having been employed in Engineering and Ship- 

 building, but is likewise a man of very extensive views and un- 

 common abilities, and every way capable either of inventing 

 methods of his own or improving on those of others. Since the 

 mode is simple, the expense Will not be very great ; and if it be 

 thought proper to employ Mr. Creasy, I shall communicate my 

 ideas to him more particularly in writing. I have no manner of 

 doubt of his success, unless the business is delayed too long; in 



