Reminiscence poetry

FROM THE GREAT YARMOUTH INDEPENDENT 1890

The Late Scotch Fishing Boat Disaster

The Scotch Boat E L Laura, lost three weeks prior to the second anniversary of the Refuge disaster, November 1888 on which the Scotch rendered assistance to the bereaved families:

'Twas a sorry tale they told,
On that November night,
When four stout hearts - (a crew as bold as any in the fight,
The fight of facing death to save
Their comrade's mortal lives) -
Sank down into a dismal grave,
Beneath the mournful, murmuring wave,
Bereaving friends and wives

But pitying friends were near,
And aided the distress!
And tried to soothe the falling tear,
And stay its bitterness!
But of the deeds-that most did please,
A purse of gold bestown
By friends with homes beyond the Tweed,
Who's friendship-proved by acts in need-
Shall gather where 'twas ……..

Now November's here again,
A sorry tale they tell,
Of how once more upon the main
A dismal fate befell!
A Scotch boat named the "Laura" sank,
A crew of six were drowned,
A boat had split the vessel's plank,
Save one, they dive in the mystic tank,
And ne'er a body found!

St Monance grieves the lost, and wives,
Young children, fathers, friends,
And mother's fond must weep the lives;
Whilst poverty attends!
But Scotchmen with a right good heart
Did aid us in despair!
Then shall not Gorleston do its part,
Its fisher-boatmen make a start,
And send love's message there?

Distressed ones, 'tis here we weep
The loss you each sustain;
Your husbands ventured on the deep;
Our husbands plough the main!
We know your pray'rs, the anxious sigh,
The parting kiss you gave!
"Alas! And now!" you wildly cry,
Yet blessed be the God on High
Who claims them from the wave!

We cannot send your husbands back,
But this is ours to do,
As you to us, in hour as black,
So we, to-day, to you!
And may this truth still further grow
Until by all 'tis known
The world were void of half its woe,
If built of Christian peace below,
With Love, its corner stone!

Gorleston-on Cliffs,
Nov 1890