The InkwellSalford, 6th July 2017
A reminiscence
Out on the great waters of the Irish sea
Seventy two feet of ocean going vessel
designed by a master boatman
Water moving over the hull of the ship
together moving sails to continue the trip
following course – given by the skipper
adventures i’d dreamt of when i were a nipper
Eight novice shipmates with Four Able crew
visiting harbours – some old, and new
steering a course , to places ahead
reaching the dock – before heading for bed
Taken from merchant ships, by
Rascals of the seven seas
Every pirate worth their salty sea legs
Admires the prize of jewels, silver and gold doubloons
Some keep their precious horde hidden
Under tropical sands , deserted shores – only
Revealed many moons later by a younger
Explorer, following the pirates charts and maps
A piece of poetry entered on allpoetry.com
but time it moved on – and the sea did move in
who it buried in the sand of the cove for its kin.
Sent to put fear up the most hardy of crewmen
The wind and rain combine to create an almighty concoction
Onward gales gather in the sheets of a ships sails
Raging waves collide against the hull
Maybe, it wasn’t so wise to set sail tonight after all.
In response to the prompt – https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/voyage/
A tale of youngsters on the ocean wave
I came across the Ocean Youth Club quite by chance. I was helping out at my local parish church, St Josephs RC in Salford when the opportunity came about – provided by the RC Church and centre in the heart of Trafford Park
The crew consisted of Two trainees from the Cereal Factory (Kelloggs), Two from the Printworks and Four from various schools in the area.
I was filling in as the Trainee from St Anthony’s couldn’t attend – and so became part of the crew of the Greater Manchester Challenge – A 72 Foot Long Ketch – with Red Sails.
The one condition laid down by the skipper – because of my balance – if I could manage to climb into the Challenge – I was in. Surprisingly – I did it.
I’d been on ferry boats before on the Irish sea to Dublin – and managed quite well, but it took a day or so to find my sea legs, The first days were ok as we took our positions and went down the North wales coast, the skipper put me on galley duties after a particularly choppy section out of Amlych heading toward the Isle of Man – the waves were playing havoc with my balance – but the second section was much better after my feet touched the Manx headland at peel…I did a papal stretch as I got at the quayside..My Miracle cure? – Burnt toast and Melted Butter.
As my confidence grew I helped lift the Mainsail with other members of the crew.
The hands looking after us on the boat were grateful for my knotting skills as we landed in Peel Harbour – I’d help lift the sails and tie booms to the side of the boat
Upon leaving Peel the challenge crew headed out across the second half of the Irish sea for Northern Ireland, where we were escorted part way by members of the border patrol out on duty.
When we got to Strangford Lough, there were clear skies and some lovely tranquil waters.
Another on deck lunch and a look round Strangford before night hit and we headed back across the Irish sea towards our final homeward destination – the North west welsh port of Holyhead.
We would go on this stretch by night and day to reach the port and was a really good way of finishing the expedition. By the end of the voyage and landing at Holyhead we’d navigated 253 Nautical miles around the Irish sea and faced a Maximum wind speed of 7
Definitely do it again – given the chance, and an adventure well worth taking part in.
In response to the daily post challenge –
I must go down to the sea again
the lonely sea and sky
I left my socks and shoes there
I Wonder if they’re dry ?
I Must Go Down To The Sea Again Poem by Spike MilliganSpike Milligan created this poem from an original piece called “Sea Fever” by John Masefield. “Sea Fever” is all about being out at sea. Whereas Spike’s take on the poem brings memories of playing on the Northern seafront at Blackpool or Morecambe, when we used to go to the seaside at weekends.
I was fortunate to actually go on an Ocean going craft when in 1996 – just after I graduated with an HND from Manchester Metropolitan University – as a member of the crew of the Greater Manchester Challenge (pictured) that year. We travelled around the Irish sea – starting at the North wales port of Port Dinorwic and visiting the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland before landing back in North Wales at Holyhead. In total the crew of seven travelled 253 Nautical Miles and crossed the seas in a Maximum wind of Force 7.
In arctic waters
Captains of mighty trawlers
Expect Trouble – so upon sight they
Beckon each and
Every Man on board to
Resist the perilous demon of the ice, or
Go to the lifeboats
