On 29 August 1782, HMS Royal George sank with the loss of more than 800 lives, while undergoing routine maintenance work at Spithead, by Portsmouth.
HMS Royal George was the largest warship in the world at the time of her launch in 1756, and her sudden sinking remains one of the worst disasters ever to take place in UK waters.
To mark the day, here are two newspaper articles from August 1782 that report on the tragedy – the second article is a letter written by a naval officer who witnessed the disaster.
The 18th Century newspapers in The Archive contain some detailed reports on this tragedy, including lists of those who perished.
Northampton Mercury – Monday 02 September 1782
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000317/17820902/004/0003
Derby Mercury – Thursday 29 August 1782
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000189/17820829/007/0002
