'Part of the ROYAL GEORGE Sunk on the 29th Augt. 1782. Recovered 1839', Lacquered Wooden Snuff Box with White Metal Plaque.
The Royal George was a 100 gun ship of the line built at Woolwich Dockyard and launched in 1756. She saw active service during the Seven Years War, taking part in the 1757 Raid on Rochefort. Admiral Hawke used her as his Flagship at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759. The Royal George was laid up for 14 years before serving in the American Revolutionary War as Admiral Robert Digby's Flagship at the 1780 Battle of Cape St Vincent.
On 29th August 1782, whilst anchored at Spithead, she was intentionally rolled in order for her hull to be maintained. The roll became unstable and she took on water, sinking with the loss of over 800 lives.
In 1839 Colonel Charles Pasley of the Royal Engineers commenced operations to break up the wreck using barrels of gunpowder. Pasley's team recovered more guns and other items between 1839 and 1842. In 1840, they destroyed the remaining structure of the wreck in an explosion which shattered windows several miles away in Portsmouth and Gosport.
Approximate weight is 52 grams.
Approximate dimensions are 9.5 cm length, 3.6 cm width and 3.5 cm height.
In good condition without losses or repair. Heavily stained to the interior and heavy wear to the lacquered finish.
