H.M.S. 'Ruby' memorial card

Memorial card with black and silver edges inscribed: 'In affectionate remembrance of GEORGE OILLER CRUMBY, CAPTAIN OF THE FORETOP OF H.M.S. RUBY, who died on the 15th May 1887 from injuries received by an explosion of gun cotton whilst at torpedo practice off Monte Video on the 2nd May, and was interred at St. Helena, May 16th, AGED 29 YEARS'. '‘Death midst duty found its way, / And twined his cold arms round / The form of him who ne’er shall wake, / Until the Trump’s last sound. // Far from a mother’s loving gaze, / Patagonia’s shore, / We laid poor Crumby ‘neath the ground, / His work on earth is o’er. // Around the grave his shipmates stood, / whilst prayers to God were read. / That made the tears roll down their cheeks, / On the grave of him now dead. // Then volleys three loud rent the air, / O’er the lifeless form / Of him who done his duty well, / And braved life’s mighty storm. // Man’s days are numbered on the earth, / He knows not when the sun / Shall cease to guide his steps through life, / Thy will, oh Lord be done. // Lord let thy servant rest in peace, / His work of earth is o’er, / And may we meet with him above, / On heaven’s bright happy shore. D.H.’' The front is decorated with a posy of snowdrops and a scroll inscribed: 'IN MEMORIAM'.

Object Details

ID: REL0504
Collection: Relics
Type: Memorial card
Display location: Not on display
Vessels: Ruby 1876 (HMS)
Date made: 1887
People: Crumby, George Oiller
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 115 mm x 75 mm