topic Re: Please spare a thought for the ........ in The Round Table

Please spare a thought for the ........

dark_castle1 — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 08:27:25 GMT

eight missing men and their families from the ship that has overturned near the Pentland Firth. The full crew of the ship are missing and where it happened is a very treacherous part of the coast with high winds adding to the tidal race.

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

ed_blackadder_1 — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 08:31:03 GMT

I have just seen this story DC very sad, even more bad news.

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

dark_castle1 — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 08:34:30 GMT

What makes it particularly relevant to me ed is, I am ex merchant navy and know the stretch of water very well having sailed through it many times and know how bad it can be.

Any tragedy like this at sea makes me think there but for the grace of god.

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

al**bear — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 08:44:05 GMT

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

aernethril — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 14:02:13 GMT

I also read about it and that it wasn't discovered for some time so no distress calls or alert beacons set off apparently?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-30667084

Very sad as it now appears to have sunk completely.

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

dark_castle1 — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 14:41:51 GMT

The only other time I have heard of a ship turning turtle without sending out a mayday is when the "Lairdsfield" went over in 1970 with the loss of all hands, some of the crew I knew well. One even came from the same town as me.

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

evoman3957 — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 19:12:51 GMT

They're a hardy breed these Seafarers, they work hard and long for their money; in often extremely dangerous conditions........they have always been people I admired.

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

dark_castle1 — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 19:50:22 GMT

Yes evo it can be dangerous but it was a job I loved and would have went back after my accident if I could have passed the medical but failed so had to come ashore. 12 years I did and loved every minute of it.

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

evoman3957 — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 21:03:02 GMT

The magnetism of that way of life has long since been recognized by many.......including famous Poets.

Sea Fever

BY JOHN MASEFIELD

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking,

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

lhasa.two — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 23:50:37 GMT

That's a wonderful poem evo, I remember it from my youth.

All these shipping and air accidents over recent days are indeed very sad for the families and friends, such heartbreak.

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

wskneil — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:56:42 GMT

Lovely poem. My little brother read it at my Dads funeral last year. He was in the Merchant Navy in WW2 and took part in the Arctic Convoys. Received his Arctic Star in 2013 but died before receiving his Ushakov medal from Russia, that successive UK governments had blocked for so many years

Re: Please spare a thought for the ........

dark_castle1 — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 18:54:13 GMT

Sir may you rest in peace now you have dropped anchor for the final time. A brave man that we owe much to.