Original British Early Victorian Wooden Snuff Box made from Oak Salvaged from HMS Royal George – Sunk 1782 Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. One of Britain’s most famous Men-o-War, H.M.S. ROYAL GEORGE was launched on February 18th 1756 at Woolwich Dockyard, London. At that time she was the largest War Ship in the World, weighing 2,047 tons and carrying 100 Guns. She measured 178 feet in length at the gun deck and became the FLAGSHIP of the famous ADMIRAL SIR EDWARD HAWKE. On November 20th 1759, she was leading the British Fleet at the BATTLE OF QUIBERON BAY when she sank the French battle ship “SUPERBE”. She later took part in the BATTLE OF ST. VINCENT on January 16th. 1780.

She the returned to Portsmouth England for routine maintenance, and on August 29th of 1782 the ship was fully loaded with over 1200 crew and, maintenance workers and family members as she prepared to pull into the dock. They were in the process of having had her cannons moved to ease re-coppering the keel when the ship completely capsized, taking between 800 and 900 lives. This was the greatest Naval loss of life in British waters at that time. There was a public outcry and a Fund set up at LLOYD’S COFFEE HOUSE in London for the families of the drowned. This Fund developed into the LLOYD’S PATRIOTIC FUND in later years that presented Swords and Vases to many heroic British Sailors for their exploits.

Several attempts were made to raise the vessel shortly after she sunk, both for salvage and because she was a major hazard to navigation, lying in a busy harbor at a depth of only 65 ft (20 m). Some cannon were recovered, but it wasn’t until 1839 that large scale operations were able to be completed. Many of the remaining timbers were brought up, and various items were fashioned in memory of the vessel.

This is one such item, a small Victorian Snuff Box, measuring 2 5/8″L x 1 5/8″W x 5/8″H. It is a simple design, with an iron pin hinge. The top of the box has a brass plaque which reads: ROYAL GEORGE / Sunk 1782. The lovely texture and grain of the oak timbers it was made from can still be seen.

Condition is very good, though there has been a repair to the right side of the hinge. A great piece of British Naval history!