“The Newfoundland Disaster (I)”

Description

Captain Randall, commander of the Bill, abandons his voyage and rescues twenty-five survivors of the Newfoundland from the ice. Seventy-seven are lost.

Supplemental text

Newfoundland Disaster (I), The
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

As printed in Ryan & Small, Haulin' Rope & Gaff, pp. 94-95. From Peacock,
Songs of the Newfoundland Outports; collected in 1960 from Joshua Osborne.

We often read of heroes bold and noble deeds they done,
Some on the field oof battle Victoria Crosses won,
The British tars and officers who walked the quarter-deck
Oft la'nched a life-boat in a storm to take men from a wreck.

(5 additional stanzas)

Notes

Maher, on NFMLeach, does not sing the ballad but tells the story and tells a ghost story relating to that wreck. - BS

Historical references

• March 1914 - Wreck of the Newfoundland (Northern Shipwrecks Database)

Cross references

• cf. Pat Maher, "The Story of the Sealing Vessel, The Newfoundland" (on NFMLeach)
• cf. "The Newfoundland Disaster (II)" (subject)
• cf. "In Memorial of 77 Brave Newfoundland Sealers" (subject)

References

1. Peacock, pp. 967-968, "The Newfoundland Disaster" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Ryan/Small, pp. 94-95, "The Newfoundland Disaster (I)" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. ST Pea967 (Partial)
4. Roud #9932
5. BI, Pea967