The Collision In The English Channel Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCC DDEF BBGG HHBB IIJJ BBKK LMIN BBBB OPBB BBQQ QQQQ QQBB BBBB| 'Twas on a Sunday morning and in the year of | A |
| The steamer Saxmundham laden with coal and coke for freight | B |
| Was run into amidships by the Norwegian barque Nor | C |
| And sunk in the English Channel while the storm fiend did roar | C |
| - | |
| She left Newcastle on Friday in November about two o'clock | D |
| And proceeded well on her way until she received a shock | D |
| And the effects of the collision were so serious within | E |
| That within twenty minutes afterwards with water she was full to the brim | F |
| - | |
| The effects of the collision were so serious the water cduldn't be staunched | B |
| So immediately the Saxmundham's jolly boat was launched | B |
| While the brave crew were busy and loudly did clatter | G |
| Because at this time the stem of the steamer was under water | G |
| - | |
| Then the bold crew launched the lifeboat without dismay | H |
| While their hearts did throb but not a word did they say | H |
| They they tried to launch the port lifeboat but in that they failed | B |
| Owing to the heavy sea so their sad fate they bewailed | B |
| - | |
| Then into the jolly boat and lifeboat jumped fifteen men in all | I |
| And immediately the steamer foundered which did their hearts appal | I |
| As the good ship sank beneath the briny wave | J |
| But they thanked God fervently that did them save | J |
| - | |
| Oh it was a miracle how any of them were saved | B |
| But it was by the aid of God and how the crew behaved | B |
| Because God helps those that help themselves | K |
| And those that don't try to do so are silly elves | K |
| - | |
| So the two boats cruised about for some time | L |
| Before it was decided to pull for St Catherine | M |
| And while cruising about they must have been ill | I |
| But they succeeded in picking up an engineer and fireman also Captain Milne | N |
| - | |
| And at daybreak on Sunday morning the men in the lifeboat | B |
| Were picked up by the schooner Waterbird as towards her they did float | B |
| And landed at Weymouth and made all right | B |
| By the authorities who felt for them in their sad plight | B |
| - | |
| But regarding the barque Nor to her I must return | O |
| And no doubt for the drowned men many will mourn | P |
| Because the crew's sufferings must have been great | B |
| Which certainly is soul harrowing to relate | B |
| - | |
| The ill fated barque was abandoned in a sinking state | B |
| But all her crew were saved which I'm happy to relate | B |
| They were rescued by the steamer Hagbrook in the afternoon | Q |
| When after taking to their boats and brought to Portland very soon | Q |
| - | |
| The barque Nor was bound from New York to Stettin | Q |
| And when she struck the Saxmundham oh what terrible din | Q |
| Because the merciless water did rush in | Q |
| Then the ship carpenters to patch the breach did begin | Q |
| - | |
| But alas all their efforts proved in vain | Q |
| For still the water did on them gain | Q |
| Still they resolved to save her whatever did betide | B |
| But alas the ill fated Nor sank beneath the tide | B |
| - | |
| But thanks be to God the major part of the men have been saved | B |
| And all honour to both crews that so manfully behaved | B |
| And may God protect the mariner by night and by day | B |
| When on the briny deep far far away | B |
William Topaz Mcgonagall
(1)
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