The Women of Mumbles Head! : a true story of a lifeboat - poem for recitation - 1883

In my last post I introduced a poem for recitation about a shipwreck. In this post I do the same. However, this is the first poem specifically identified as a 'poem for recitation' in Trove. It consists of 32 rhyming couplets. The poet is identified as Clement Scott. Scott was a theatre critic and other poems written by him can be found in the Trove archive.

Trove's articles mostly mispell the title as 'The poem of mumlbes head' an I have chosen to correct that to mumbles (which is a place near Swansea, UK), this is consistent with spelling in other parts of the poem.

Interestingly Wikipedia notes that "the word 'Mumbles' may be a corruption of the French les mamelles, meaning "the breasts"(Wikipedia | mumbles), a description of the twin peaks that form the headland. If this is true it plays nicely into the theme that Clement Scott is portraying here. The heroic mother love of women. 

There is a memorialised life boat disaster at Mumbles in 1947, but clearly the scene here is from an earlier time. This article by Carol Powell does a good job of telling the story of the wreck on the 27 January 1883, and of indicating how in such times the gallantry of men is rewarded and that of women is merely expected. See also this article by Geoff Brooks.

The poem was published in at least nine Australian papers in the July of 1883. The version needing the least work to tidy up was the one found in the Burra Record. It is worth scanning the multiple records of the same article in Trove if you wish to reduce clean up time :-)

Division into quatrains is my choice (suggested by the 64 lines being divisible by four).

The Women of Mumbles Head! : a true story of a lifeboat.

Poem for Recitation.

Bring, novelists, your note-books! bring, dramatists, your pen !
And I'll tell you a simple story of what women do for men.
It's only a tale of a life-boat, of the dying and the dead,
Of a terrible storm and shipwreck that happened off Mumbles Head !

Maybe you have travelled in Wales, sir, and know it north and south :
Maybe you are friends with the 'natives' that dwell at Oystermouth ;
It happens, no doubt, that from Bristol you've crossed in a casual way,
And have sailed your yacht in the summer in the blue of Swansea Bay.

Well! it isn't like that in the winter, when the lighthouse stands alone,
In the teeth of Atlantic breakers that foam on its face of stone ;
It wasn't like that when the hurricane blew, and the storm-bell tolled, or when
There was news of a wreck, and the lifeboat launch'd, and a desperate cry for men.

When in the world did the coxswain shirk ? a brave old salt was he!
Proud to the bone of as four strong lads as ever had tasted sea,
Welshmen all to the lungs and loins, who, about that coast, 'twas said,
Had saved some hundred lives a piece — at a shilling or so a head!

So the father launched the lifeboat, in the teeth of the tempest's roar,
And he stood like a man at the rudder, with an eye on his boys at the oar,
Out to the wreck went the father! out to the wreck went the sons!
Leaving the weeping of women, and booming of signal guns,

Leaving the mother who loved them, and the girls that the sailors love,
Going to death for duty, and trusting to God above !
Do you murmur a prayer, my brothers, when cosy and safe in bed,
For men like these, who are ready to die for a wreck off Mumbles Head ?

It didn't go well with the lifeboat! 'twas a terrible storm that blew!
And it snapped the rope in a second that was flung to the drowning crew!
And then the anchor parted — 'twas a tussle to keep afloat!
But the father struck to the rudder, and the boys to the brave old boat.

Then at last on the poor doom'd lifeboat a wave broke, mountains high!
"God help us now !" said the father. "It's over, my lads! Good-bye.'
Half of the crew swam shoreward, half to the sheltered caves,
But father and sons were fighting death in the foam of the angry waves.

Up at a lighthouse window two women beheld the storm,
And saw in the boiling breakers a figure — a fighting form,
It might be a grey-haired father, then the women held their breath,
It might be a fair-haired brother, who was having a round with death ;

It might be a lover, a husband, whose kisses were on the lips
Of the women whose love is the life of men going down to the sea in ships.
They had seen the launch of the lifeboat, they had seen the worst and more,
Then, kissing each other, these women went down from the lighthouse, straight to shore.

There by the rocks on the breakers these sisters, hand in hand,
Beheld once more that desperate man who struggled to reach the land.
'Twas only aid he wanted to help him across the wave,
But what are a couple of women with only a man to save ?

What are a couple of women ? well more than three craven men
Who stood by the shore with chattering teeth refusing to stir — and then
Off went the women's shawls, sir, in a second they're torn and rent,
Then knotting them into a rope of love, straight into the sea they went!

"Come back!" cried the lighthouse-keeper, "for God's sake, girls, come back!"
As they caught the waves on their foreheads, resisting the fierce attack.
"Come back!" moaned the grey-haired mother, as she stood by the angry sea,
"If the waves take you, my darlings, there's nobody left to me."

"Come back !" said the three strong soldiers, who still stood faint and pale,
"You will drown if you face the breakers ! you will fall if you brave the gale!"
"Come back !" said the girls, "we will not ! go tell it to all the town,
We'll lose our lives, God willing, before that man shall drown !'

"Give one more knot to the shawls, Bess! give one strong clutch of your hand
Just follow me, brave, to the shingle, and we'll bring him safe to land!
Wait for the next wave darling! only a minute more,
And I'll have him safe in my arms, dear, and we'll drag him safe to shore.'

Up to the arms in the water, fighting it breast to breast,
They caught and saved a brother alive! God bless us, you know the rest —
Well, many a heart beat stronger, and many a tear was shed,
And many a glass was toss'd right off to 'The Women of Mumbles Head!'

Clement Scott, — in the Theatre.

Source:

The Women of Mumlbes Head! (1883, July 6). Burra Record (SA : 1878 - 1954), p. 2 (Supplement to the Burra Record). Retrieved March 5, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36008287 

The Dead of the Wreck - poem for recitation - 1893

Original artwork by the author, just click bait really.
Ooh ... bait ... that was apt.

My recent meandering Trove journey was meant to be a hunt for shipwreck poems. Shipwrecks are definitely a common topic for poems (hopefully more on that later in the year). But in searching I also found another way to group poems ... the title says it all, 'Poem for recitation'. Perhaps such poems appear in the papers for poetry recitation competitions. This particular poem is published in twelve different papers. 

If one uses the search term 'poem for recitation' in Trove you will get over 300 hits and many of them like this poem are the same poem published in numerous papers, often around the same time. There were also books, collections of poems, with titles that included the words 'poems for recitation'.

To look at this poem is seems as though a piece of prose at the front of the poem was the poems prompt. But if I drop some these words back into the Trove search engine, or even Google, it yields nothing other than the poem. 

After two verses the poem is indented, I think to indicate the voice of the bell, then bumped back out to finish on the last two verses.

None of the published versions provide an author for the poem. Indeed they all, even the one from 1904, have a piece immediately after in which the Queen expressed some dissatisfaction with marriage laws (with the one exception of the copy in  Areas Express of 1897).

POEM FOR RECITATION.
THE DEAD OF THE WRECK.

"As soon as the boat struck, the bell commenced tolling, probably from the action of the wind upon it, and continued to toll, slowly and mournfully, as long as any portion of the wreck was to be seen."

The God of the storm was above,
And His arm was strong beneath,
And the shrieking wind, and the gurgling wave,
Went up with the wail of death.
Then hushed. And the dead were gone,
And the solemn stars were keeping
Their faithful watch, as the wild waves rocked
The sleepers to their sleeping.

The wind wailed madly above,
And the waves went bounding below :
And above the wind, and above the roar
Of the heavy surge on the highland shore,
Came a solemn sound and slow —
Now faint, now loud, on the tempest swell
They heard the mournful voice of the bell.

Dead and gone! dead and gone !

Where the desolate moan,

Of the wave sinks to sleep,

Where the storm-wail is o'er,

Where the heart throbs no more,

In the deep. 

 

With the foam on her brow,

With a surf-shroud of snow,

Went the maid to her grave ;

With a gasp and a moan,

The strong swimmer went down

In the wave. 

 

With a prayer and a smile

That his lip weareth still,

Looking forth on the gloom,

God's good servant stood strong,

As the surge swept along ;

He's at home. 

 

Dead and gone ! dead and gone !

Wail, wail ye their doom,

For they lie on the billows,

Call them loud ! Call them long !

They are lull'd by my song

On their pillows  

 

But they answer no more !

Doth the surge on the shore

Drown the sound of their cry?

Nay, their lips are grown cold,

For their life-tale is told !

There they lie ! 

 

Dead and gone ! dead and gone !

But the morning shall dawn

And the silent shall speak.

Slumber sweet ! slumber deep !

Till the myriads that sleep

Shall awake ;

The stars went out on high
More flush'd the cold-grey East,
And the heavy surge with a solemn roar,
Unceasingly fell on the island shore
Where the dead lay sleeping to awake no more.

And the sun went down in the West,
And ever above the mocking waves,
With a slow and solemn knell,
Came fitfully and mournfully
The sound of the tolling bell.

Here is the list of papers in which this particular poem was published.

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, January 13). The Riverine Grazier (Hay, NSW : 1873 - 1954), p. 2 (SUPPLEMENT). Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139998638

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, January 20). The Broadford Courier (Broadford, Vic. : 1891 - 1893), p. 3. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58576582

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, January 20). The Areas' Express (Booyoolee, SA : 1877 - 1948), p. 2 (SUPPLEMENT TO THE AREAS EXPRESS). Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219210960

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, January 21). Queenscliff Sentinel, Drysdale, Portarlington and Sorrento Advertiser (Vic. : 1885 - 1894), p. 3. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74271119

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, January 24). Camperdown Chronicle (Vic. : 1875 - 1954), p. 5 (Unknown). Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article33435904

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, February 3). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 1 (MORNING. : THE EVELYN OBSERVER, SUPPLEMENT.). Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60668631

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, March 18). Eastern Districts Chronicle (York, WA : 1877 - 1927), p. 1 (SUPPLEMENT. TO THE EASTERN DISTRICTS CHRONICLE,). Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148498073

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, April 29). The Snowy River Mail and Tambo and Croajingolong Gazette (Orbost, Vic. : 1890 - 1911), p. 2 (SUPPLEMENT TO THE SNOWY RIVER MAIL). Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197111745

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, May 13). Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette (Qld. : 1868 - 1919), p. 3. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171605764

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1893, October 21). Western Star and Roma Advertiser (Qld. : 1875 - 1948), p. 5. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97467695

[?]oem for Recitation. (1897, May 7). The Areas' Express (Booyoolee, SA : 1877 - 1948), p. 4. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219224179

POEM FOR RECITATION. (1904, September 8). Great Southern Advocate (Korumburra, Vic. : 1889 - 1906, 1914 - 1940), p. 5. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article210871837

WHAT "BESSIE" (A PET EWE) SAID ON HER RETURN FROM HER TRAVELS - A poem by S G Mee (1870)

Illustration of a Glengallan ewe from 1888.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71101050
Several years after the writing of the poem

(Dedicated to her owner, James M'Intosh, Esq.)

BESSIE (running from the spring-cart to her mistress):

Oh, glad am I again to see your face, my mistress dear!
And, master, yours! It seems I've been away from you a year!

A feverish life I've led of late,—from spot to spot been hurl'd;
But still have found no place like this:—Glengallan 'gainst the world !

O'er land and sea they hurried me, whether I would or no;
And great the fuss they made of me at Sydney's Annual Show. .

Per train and steamer I was sped — had scarcely time to sleep.
And surely may henceforth be termed, in truth, a travelled sheep.

But why our " paragons " prefer this sort of jubilation
Seems odd to me, who much more love the calm and peaceful station.

Nathless, great kindness I have found:—warm words and genial faces
Have greeted me at every turn in those far distant places

And yet some sheep I saw passed by—few fondling them or feeding;
So I ascribed my happier luck to my superior breeding.

For which I'm grateful, master dear :— If bipeds met such care
As sheep and cattle for the Shows, a lovely world it were!

For one thing on my travels did almost make me weep—
The greater difference by far in men than seen in sheep ;

For, in the features of a flock, all might be ta'en as brothers,—
But, amongst men, some faces seem antipodes of others :

A fearful blame is somewhere, sure:—I'll tell you what I think—
T'would not be so if all the world would drink but what we drink!

—This from a silly sheep ... But now, a word or two I'll tell
Of what, on her eventful tour, your pride and pet befell.

Arrived in Sydney, as I said, they took me to the Show.
And on your Bessie much applause the many did bestow;

Bluff, bearded squatters bent o'er me, and judges not a few
Felt of my fleece, and straight exclaimed—" By Jove, a splendid ewe!"

And then—(a thing I dreaded much)—each most exuberant Thug
Snatch'd a thick sample from my fleece at one terrific tug.

Most glad was I when sunset came, and they all cleared away;
I'd rather be a goat than spend another such a day.

—Well, back to Brisbane I was sent; and in a paddock there
For twelve long weeks was fed and housed with tenderness and care :

No native-dog within those bounds could ever hope to pass;
Plenty of kindness found I there — but very little grass.

Then came one day a farmer wight, who took me to his place,—
(Where next? I thought)— Oh, how I longed once more to see your face !

For though, for all his friendly care, I towards that farmer leaned,
I yearned and hungered for the spot when I was bred and yeaned.

—Came then, at last, a happy morn, when to my throbbing heart
"Your going home!" the farmer said, and bore me to his cart;

And into Brisbane once again I came—and everywhere
People looked kind, and felt and praised my fleece so full and fair:

And one—a whilom shepherd wight—patted me on the head.
And—" You're a bonny, bonny ewe!" exultantly he said:

"O would," he cried (and at the thought his eye lit up with bliss) —
"That every farmer in the land had but a flock like this!

He then would aye impervious be to flood, or drought, or blight,
And his shearings and his lambings would fill him with delight,
And keep the eyes and faces of his household ever bright!

A cornucopia to his crops such fœcund flock would be,

Increasing, every month and year, his farm's fertility."

Thus spoke the wight, and once again patted my face and head.
Then to the homeward steamer's deck the eulogised he led.
. . . . . . .
And now, my dears, I've told you all:—And never, never more,
May I be hurried to and fro, and hurled from shore to shore;

But 'midst Glengallan's peaceful scenes, beneath your kindly care,
May I reside, and give each year a fleece and increase fair.

And when I'm old and toothless grown, I pray to yonder town
Never—oh never send your pet, to horrid Boiling-down !

—I see your eye—your heart—revolt! . . . . Well, well, my master dear,
'Twas wrong of me. I'll give you yet my likeness every year ;

So that, long after I am low, the Darling Downs shall see,
Sprung from my loins, afar and wide, a peerless progeny.

S. G. MEE

Brisbane, April 12.

Brief notes:

Samuel Gill Mee was an advocate for the Darling Downs ... his praise for the region having previously made it to my blog,  see The Darling of the Downs.

He was also a campaigner for the temperance movement, this can probably be seen in the lines 

For, in the features of a flock, all might be ta'en as brothers,—
But, amongst men, some faces seem antipodes of others :
A fearful blame is somewhere, sure:—I'll tell you what I think—
T'would not be so if all the world would drink but what we drink!

James M'Intosh to whom the poem is dedicated was overseer of Glengallan from 1859, having worked at the Watson Boiling Downs in Ipswich for several years after migrating from Scotland in the later part of 1854. [2] His previous employment may well have inspired the line

Never—oh never send your pet, to horrid Boiling-down !

Mee publishes his poem in the April of 1870. In May of the same year M'Intosh departs from his role at Glengallan ... I doubt the two facts are related.

Mr. James M'Intosh, the principal sheep overseer on Glengallan, Darling Downs, for 14 years, has been presented with a purse containing 36 sovereigns prior to his leaving his position. [3]

The observant among you will note that 1859 is not 14 years prior to 1870. The joy of working with newspapers as your source. M'Intosh died in 1899.

References:

WHAT "BESSIE" (A PET EWE) SAID ON HER RETURN FROM HER TRAVELS. (1870, April 16). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), p. 8. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27260499.

[2] DEATH OF AN OLD DOWNS RESIDENT. (1899, July 12). Darling Downs Gazette (Qld. : 1881 - 1922), p. 2. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article177617718

[3] [?]. (1870, May 14). The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189961229

Honouring Tom Pearce

The Wreck of the Loch Ard in 1878, is a focus point for this blog. (See the link to the Loch Ard Index at the end of the post).  There were only two survivors, Miss Amy Carmichael and Tom Pearce.

Miss Carmichael, caught the imagination of the people as the damsel in distress, and Tom Pearce was clearly the knight in shining armour.  For his gallantry his received much praise and some considerable reward. This post seeks to document these features of the Loch Ard story.

Some rewards were funded by public subscription, sale of mementos and benefit concerts. The Pearce Testimonial Fund and the Loch Ard Fund did well to garner public interest, with separate committees at least in Melbourne, Sydney, Warrnambool, Geelong and Ballarat (Herald 26 Jun 1878).

Saleable mementos included:

• photographs of both Tom Pearce and Amy Carmichael sold for six pence.  Some sought to make fakes of these images and sold them for their own gain, rather than to the benefit of the Pearce Benevolent Fund or the Loch Ard Fund.
• a commissioned piece of music titled "The Young Hero Schottische" (the sheet music is available for download from here).
• Reprints of the poem about the wreck.

The gatherings

The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil  of 6th July, 1878 covered two events from June 1878.

On the 19th June

... the "Presentation to Mr. Pearce by the Governor," ... This event took place at the Treasury, on June 19, when His Excellency the Governor, on behalf of the Government of Victoria, handed to Mr. Pearce a valuable gold watch and chain, in recognition of the gallantry he had shown.

see also this http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111096659

On the 20th June at Melbourne Town Hall

We next show the 'Presentation of the Awards of the Victorian Humane Society.' The annual distribution of these awards took place at the Town-hall on June 20. Mr. Wilks, the president of the society, occupied the chair, and the presentations were made by Sir Redmond Barry, There was an immense attendance of the public, induced principally by the presentation of a gold medal to Thomas Pearce, one of the two survivors from the wreck of the Loch Ard, who was greeted by the audience with tumultuous applause. The gold medal received by Mr. Pearce was the first ever awarded by the society. During the evening a collection was made in aid of the funds of the society, which realised about £80. We are glad to know that the society during the past year has made very satisfactory progress and now occupies an excellent position— a result, it ought to be said, which is in no small degree owing to the untiring exertions of its energetic secretary, Mr. E. Kidson.

Of which The Age writes -

The Town Hall was filled last night with a multitude of persons eager to witness
the presentation, amongst other awards, of the gold medal of the Victorian Humane
Society to young Tom Pearce, the only male survivor of the crew and passengers of the Loch Ard, Mr. Wilks president of the society, occupied the chair, and the ceremony of presentation was performed by Sir Redmond Barry. Young Pearce was the hero of the hour, and was during the whole of the evening the cynosure of every eye. Sir Redmond
Barry made suitable speeches as the various recipients came forward to claim the honours so liberally dealt out to them by the Humane Society, and was on each occasion well received, but the frequent interruptions of applause during the few remarks which
accompanied the presentation of the gold medal to Pearce were positively deafening.
Pearce's demeanor throughout the proceedings was modest but manly, and served to
greatly enhance the esteem in which he is now universally held. A report of the proceedings will be found in another column.

While according to the Argus 21 June, 1878, a fund had been set up ...

An adjourned meeting of the citizens of Melbourne desirous of presenting a testimonial to Mr. Thos. Pearce, in recognition of his gallant conduct in connexion with the rescue of Miss Carmichael from the wreck of the Loch Ard, took place yesterday at the Town-hall. In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Mr. Jos. Fergusson, M.L.A., was voted to the chair. Mr. Val. Sharp, honorary secretary of the Photographic Society of Victoria, explained what had been done by his Society, and pointed out that although a good sum would, no doubt, be realised by the sale of the photo, of Mr. Pearce, the amount so obtained could not, at his own request, be devoted towards any fund for his benefit, but must go towards a Loch Ard fund, to be devoted to the benefit of the widows and families of those who had perished in tho ship. Mr. Dickson announced that he had collected the sum of £4 10s., the greater portion of which had been derived from small subscriptions given by the employees of Messrs. Alston and Brown, Collins-street. As the attendance at the meeting was very meagre it was decided to adjourn it until Tuesday next, at 4 o'clock. The wish of some unprincipled photographers to make money out of the desire of the public to obtain portraits of Miss Carmichael and Mr. Thos. Pearce, the only survivors from the Loch Ard, has led some of them to issue spurious likenesses. Miss Carmichael is shown in profile, and it is needless to say that, like the picture of Mr. Pearce, it is a purely imaginary one, and that those who purchase either of them would only be throwing away their money.

The Royal Theatre, Melbourne, 26 Jun 1878.  Of which the Argus writes -

... the performance is for the Loch Ard Fund, and besides being under distinguished patronage, it will be one of the best entertainments ever produced in Melbourne, Mr Coppin, in two of his best impersonations, to wit, Mould and Jem Bags, the Corbyn troupe of Georgia Minstrels, and other talented performers, will make a bill that, independent of the nature of the benefit itself, should crowd the house from floor to ceiling. 

Sydney's Evening News of 29 July 1878, reports of a meeting of six to seven thousand people at the Exhibition Building in Sydney.

A LARGE crowd of people assembled at the Exhibition building on Saturday afternoon to witness the ceremony of presenting; Thomas Pearce with a testimonial for the heroism he displayed at the wreck of the Loch Ard, in saving the life of Miss Carmichael. It is
supposed that there were between six and seven thousand persons present. When the gallant young midshipman appeared on the platform with the members of the testimonial
committee and the Lady Mayorese (Mrs. Merriman), there was great cheering. His worship the Mayor being too ill to attend, the acting-mayor, Alderman Chapman, presided, and in opening the proceedings introduced Captain Trouton, chairman of the testimonial committee, who delivered an appropriate address, after which Mrs. Merriman presented Pearce with a sextant, a pair of binocular glasses, a case of silver instruments, copies of Norrie's and Naper's works on navigation, and a large general chart. In presenting these articles Mrs. Merriman said : I present you with these instruments as a
slight token of your bravery in rescuing from death a fellow-creature at the risk of your own. I hope that God, the father of all, will long spare you to use them to guide your ship safely across the ocean ; and I also hope you will never lose sight of the truth, that it is
through the mercy of Providence you are here to day. (Cheers.) Mr. Pearce thanked the Mayoress, and after bowing to the audience, who loudly cheered him, retired. As he was leaving the building and grounds Pearce was regularly besieged with ladies, eager to shake him by the hand, while some went so far as to insist on kissing him. Mr. Forster presided at the organ, and played several selections during the afternoon. Pearce left Sydney for Melbourne on Saturday night.

Thomas Pearce with the Gold Medal presented by the Humane Society
http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/70578

In the 27 July, Pearce appears at the Exhibition Building in Sydney

A LARGE crowd of people assembled at the Exhibition building on Saturday afternoon to witness the ceremony of presenting; Thomas Pearce with a testimonial for the heroism he displayed at the wreck of the Loch Ard, in saving the life of Miss Carmichael. It is supposed that there were between six and seven thousand persons present. When the gallant young midshipman appeared on the platform with the members of the testimonial committee and the Lady Mayorese (Mrs. Merriman), there was great cheering. His worship the Mayor being too ill to attend, the acting-mayor, Alderman Chapman, presided, and in opening the proceedings introduced Captain Trouton, chairman of the testimonial committee, who delivered an appropriate address, after which Mrs. Merriman presented Pearce with a sextant, a pair of binocular glasses, a case of silver instruments, copies of Norrie's and Naper's works on navigation, and a large general chart. In presenting these articles Mrs. Merriman said : I present you with these instruments as a slight token of your bravery in rescuing from death a fellow-creature at the risk of your own. I hope that God, the father of all, will long spare you to use them to guide your ship safely across the ocean ; and I also hope you will never lose sight of the truth, that it is through the mercy of Providence you are here to day. (Cheers.) Mr. Pearce thanked the Mayoress, and after bowing to the audience, who loudly cheered him, retired. As he was leaving the building and grounds Pearce was regularly besieged with ladies, eager to shake him by the hand, while some went so far as to insist on kissing him. Mr. Forster presided at the organ, and played several selections during the afternoon. Pearce left Sydney for Melbourne on Saturday night.

See also http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13418023

Mr. Thomas Pearce, the young midshipman of the wrecked Loch Ard, who distinguished himself by rescuing Miss Carmichael from the spar on which she was helplessly floating, he himself having only just gained the shore, reached Sydney from Melbourne last week. Here, he was received with much enthusiasm. With a view to presenting him with a testimonial a subscription list has been open ever since the news of the wreck was heard. Although the subscriptions were limited to sixpence each, the amount subscribed reached £150. Part of this has been spent in the purchase of a few first-class nautical instruments, which, while serving as a memorial of the Australian appreciation of his bravery, will be useful to him in his profession. These were presented to him, on Saturday last, by the Lady Mayoress of Sydney, in the presence of about seven thousand persons, in the Exhibition Building, Prince Alfred Park. The large balance of the subscriptions is to be added to the amount raised for him in Victoria, in order that the whole may be invested for his future benefit.

On 24 August http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42981710 

Thomas Pearce was presented with a testimonial this afternoon at the Town Hall by the Mayor. Pearce leaves to-morrow in the Loch Sunart.

Notice that he is leaving on another Loch Line ship. And with him a 'treasure horde' of appreciation. Thomas Pearce's journey into the surf that June morning set him up for life, here is a list of the items he received.

From the Sydney event

• a sextant
• a pair of binocular glasses
• a case of silver instruments
• copies of Norrie's and Naper's works on navigation
• and a large general chart.

From a presentation of the Victorian Human Society (later the Royal Humane Society of Australia)

• a gold medal ... the first issued by the society.

From the Victorian Government

• a cheque for 1000 pound (Heritage Council of Victoria) 
• a gold watch

The ceremony took place in the Executive Council Chamber at half-past 3 o'clock. The Ministry, the Speaker, several members of the Legislative Assembly, and members of the Civil service, who had ben invited to attend, were present. His Excellency addressed Mr. Pearce, and then presented the watch, on which the following inscription is to be engraved : — "Presented to Thomas Pearce, by the Government of Victoria, for his noble conduct in risking his own life to save that of a fellow passenger, after his providential escape on the occasion of the wreck of the Loch Ard, near Sherbrooke river, on the coast of this colony, on 1st June, 1878.' Mr. Pearce, in acknowledging the presentation, said : — ' I thank your Excellency for the honour you have done me, and I hope I shall always do my duty. (Hear, hear.) The ceremony then terminated. (Freemans Journal, 29 Jun 1878)

While the accolades are lovely there is something quite 'proper' about this complaint from The Express and Telegraph quoting the Hamilton Spectator -

It is very far from our intention to depreciate the gallantry displayed by the young man Pearce in saving the life of Miss Carmichael. It must, however, be the opinion of every sensible person who has studied the matter calmly that there has been already too much 'gush' about what every true-hearted British seaman will deem a simple affair. Lives and lives have been as heroically saved without any particular mention of the fact; it was the sensational event which preceded the brave young fellow's effort that invested it with so much importance, and caused so much fulsome praise to he bespattered upon him, so much bathos to be indulged in. But that one knows that the people have been carried away by the generous impulse of the moment, one would be inclined to think that, in the estimation of the public, our seamen are not the descendants of those, who in Trafalgar Bay hailed with delight Horatio Nelson's signal, 'England expects that every man this day will do his duty.' This is just what Thomas Pearce did, neither more nor less. That his conduct was heroic will be readily admitted. He was not incited to do the deed by the presence of any of his countrymen. Cast ashore, apparently nobody saved but himself, almost exhausted by previous exertions, he heard a cry for help. No human eye was watching him, he could have resisted the appeal, none would have been any the wiser, and by his own conscience only would he have been blamed. He was, however, of the right grit, and, never dreaming of any public recognition or reward, he rushed again into the waves from which he had just escaped, and brought the young lady to land. The care he subsequently took of her, the undaunted spirit shown by him in scaling the precipitous cliff—all his efforts, in fact, upon the lamentable occasion; are worthy of our admiration— he performed a good and gallant deed. Fortunately he is a modest, unassuming young sailor, or the praise that has been bestowed upon him would fill him with vanity, and spoil what promises to be a noble career. But much as we may admire his conduct on the occasion, we must not allow the whole of our sympathy to be expended upon him. This would appear to be just what the public are doing, and we are glad indeed to see that they are recalled to a sense of their duty by the young sailor himself. With questionable taste, the Photographic Society wrote to Pearce 'asking him to sit for his likeness, the same to be sold for his benefit.' The reply was just such a one as any young gentleman might be expected to give—it was as follows:— 'I would be most happy to give you a sitting, but on no account to be sold for my benefit; as you must consider, sir, that no gentleman would undergo the humiliation of seeing his photograph sold for his own benefit.' Subsequently Mr. Pearce stated he was quite willing to give the Photographic Society a sitting on the condition that the picture was only sold on behalf of a fund to be called the 'Loch Ard Fund,' the proceeds of which were, to be devoted to the relief of the widows and orphans of those who had perished in the wreck. More power to the young fellow for casting any selfish interest aside, and recalling those who wish to do him so much honor to a sense of the duty they owe to the poor fellows who, after bravely battling against the elements, "went down in the ill-fated ship."

Click here to go to Under the Lino's 'Loch Ard Index'

Interviews with the survivors of the AHS Centaur attack

Today's Armstrong THE LAMP OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE (1943, May 20). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 3. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11344703

Below is a report of interviews with survivors of the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur. The Centaur was attacked by the Japanese submarine on the morning of the 14 May 1943, the news did not break until the 18 May, and it broke in the Sydney Morning Herald on the 19th May.  This report is from that edition.

The Centaur incident is a significant event in Australian military history, it was a focus of rage and rallying call for people to enlist with a large poster drive entitled 'Avenge the Nurses'. 

The tragedy was also inspiration for increased support to nurses and nurse training, the creation of Centaur House being but one example. The history of Centaur House was a focus for a 2015 Oxley Fellowship at SLQ. It is worth digging into. Funding for nurses was probably the first raffle in which you could win a house in Queensland. There is still a Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses to support nurses studying.

Much is written, it is deeply memorialised (enter 'Centaur' on https://monumentaustralia.org.au/). Indeed much that I may have hoped to say has been said already. This then I publish, as an ANZAC tradition for myself.  A dive into Trove to emerge with a story which does what ANZAC Day should do ... make us remember those we should not forget and remind us of the cruelty of war.

INTERVIEW WITH HEROIC NURSING SISTER

Sister Savage, who is pretty, with a dimpled smile and short, curly brown hair worn back from her forehead, was interviewed in a military hospital. She displayed a black eye and cuts on her nose and lip. Sister Savage, who wears a religious medal attached to her identity disc, said that she kept her Rosary beads beside her bed, and snatched them up when she was awakened by the explosion. "My first thought was to say a prayer that we might be saved, and that my friends might be saved, too,  she said.

"UP ON DECK, SAVAGE" '

With her cabin-mate, she rushed to the porthole, looked out, and saw the ship ablaze. They raced for their lifebelts. Her best friend, Sister King, ran in from the next cabin, and called out, "Up on deck, Savage."

Sister Savage said that she had been in the A.I.F. for two years this month and while on the hospital ship Oranje, between Australia and the Middle East, had often wondered what she would do if the ship were sunk, but, contrary to her expectations, she did not panic. She and Sister King had planned to keep together. Sister King was a poor swimmer, but she herself was a good one, and she had promised to look after her.

In the confusion on deck she lost Sister King. She and her cabin-mate jumped overboard together, but her mate was struck by a piece of falling timber, and apparently killed. She managed to clamber on the floating roof of a chart house with a badly burned man, and she gave him what help she could. They worked their way towards two large rafts, where there were other survivors, by paddling with their hands.

These survivors were members of the crew and of the medical personnel. She took charge of the food and water, and rationed them on a four days' basis.

DOCTOR'S GRAPHIC STORY

Lieutenant-Colonel Outridge, who was also interviewed in a military hospital, paid a warm tribute to Sister Savage. "She was wonderful," he said "She must have been in great pain all the time, but she never said a word about it. Her leadership was a great factor in keeping up the morale of her party."

"There could have been no possible doubt about the Identity of the Centaur as a hospital ship," said Lieutenant-Colonel Outridge. "She was lit up to glory, and there were big lights fore and aft. It was a bright, starry night, and the whole ship, including the Red Crosses on the sides, had been repainted just before she sailed. "It must have been clear from miles away that she was a hospital ship."

Lieutenant-Colonel Outridge was swathed in bandages covering his burns. He said that he was asleep when the torpedo struck and awoke dazed. The explosion occurred only 60 feet from his berth When he opened his eyes the cabin was a mass of flame. Even the life-belts on the walls were on fire.

He stepped out into a swirl of water in the tween decks, and was washed along to the forward companionway. The ship was sinking rapidly, and in the deepening water his legs became entangled in a rope. He had great difficulty in freeing himself to make his way on deck.

There he again became entangled in cordage from a mass of broken booms and derricks, but managed to kick himself free. There was then only 30 feet of the deck showing above water, and he jumped overboard and struck out through the oil, which clogged his nostrils and made his eyes smart. A raft swept up to him on the swell. He climbed aboard, and turned to look at the ship, but she had gone.

Lieutenant-Colonel Outridge said he was in silk pyjamas, and he tore off the legs of them to dress his burns. A complete medical kit was picked up from the water by men on one of the rafts, and this enabled something to be done for those within reach.

The supply of provisions on one raft was two gallons of water, 2,000 malted milk tablets, a small tin of chocolate tablets, prunes, raisins, and meat extract. Not knowing how long they would be afloat, they rationed. A typical meal was a lick of meat extract, a milk tablet, two prunes, and a mouthful of water.

CREW'S GENEROSITY

The crew of the rescue ship subscribed £237/12/, enabling each survivor to receive £3/14/3.

He paid a tribute to the crew of the rescue ship, who fed, clothed, and gave medical care to the survivors. "They were magnificent," he said. "Their medical officer had a very hard task to handle so many, but he did a wonderful job, and all the survivors are most grateful."

One of the must vivid stories of the ordeal afloat was told by John Stutter, officers' steward, of Hay Street, Perth, who said that he was too busy fighting for his life to feel frightened. He somehow fought clear of the suction of the sinking ship, and made for a raft. "I spent the whole time on the raft with a man who was so terribly burned that he was practically unrecognisable," he continued. "He was in agony, dying by inches, and his screams were torture to us because we could do nothing for him. When he died it was a merciful release.

"Stan. Morgan, donkeyman, of Melbourne. Jim Waterson, assistant storeman, of Bassendean, Western Australia, with myself and two others gave him him as reverent a burial as we could, all of us saying a little prayer to ourselves as we swung him out on the swell. His body drifted away in the dawn, gradually sinking, while the rain pattered down on the sea."

DASH THROUGH FLAME

Captain R. M Salt, of Chaleyer Street, Dover Heights, Sydney, a Torres Strait pilot aboard the ship, said that the whole ship was ablaze when he made the deck, so he tipped a bucket of water over his head, wrapped a blanket round him, and made a dash through a wall of flame for the boat-deck. "It was too late, so I went over the side." he said.

Captain Salt was aboard a vessel when it was sunk by Japanese shellfire in Milne Bay last year, and was badly burned on the arms, body, and head. "But," he said, "I have been 50 years at sea, and as soon as I am right I shall be back in a ship again."

James A. Rawlings, cook, of North Sydney, said that his eyes were badly affected by the oil on the water. He had tried to get a raft free, but the rope was caught, and as the ship was going, he dived in.

When Frank Martin, ship's cook, of Melbourne, was rescued, he was alone on a plank. He had been there ever since the ship was sunk. His comrades said they could not understand how he survived, because he was "such a little fellow." They praised his courage and endurance.

Owen Christensen, of Melbourne, also held on to a plank in the water for 34 hours before being rescued. "In the darkness I heard a man call for help," he said. "I called back, and we made for each other, but he, too, had only a plank. After a while, he seemed to lose his reason. He swam away, looking for something to drink, and I did not see him again."

It is recalled that the hospital ship Manunda was struck by bombs at Darwin during a Japanese raid, but at Milne Bay, on a later occasion, Japanese warships which attacked shipping and shore installations passed almost alongside a hospital ship, but did not attack it.

Source:

INTERVIEW WITH HEROIC NURSING SISTER (1943, May 19). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17849085

The Angels of the Balkans - 1917

I recently had the good fortune to see "A Girl's Guide to World War" at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Produced by Musical Theatre Australia, the work is an award winning musical portrayal of the work of The Scottish Women's Hospital's work in Serbia during WWI.  For the Brisbane audience the show had the added advantage of being a story about locals, Dr Lillian Cooper and Josephine Bedford. It was well crafted, funny and very enjoyable, but it also told a good story about patriarchal stupidity, sacrifice, and determination.  For me it was a story I had not heard, so I dropped into Trove to learn more.  Here is one article I found which my readers may appreciate. It is from a Sydney newspaper, 'Land', dated 14 December, 1917.

"THE ANGELS OF THE BALKANS."

"These are the good angels who bring us to Paradise!" said a wounded poilu, smiling at the woman chauffeur who threaded her way among shell-holes and rival vehicles on the road to the Scottish Women's Hospitals.

Angels in Heaven and Hell—angels disguised with mud and grease—angels with haggard, tired facts, and their hands stained with blood—angels with needles and thread among the poor, battered uniforms—angels even among the cesspools and filth of the building that at last be came hygienic and habitable as a hospital—angels limping along the road with Serbian refugees—angels themselves passing to Paradise, as they laid down their lives during the Serbian typhus epidemic.

Hence the title at the head of this paragraph—the title by which the staff of the Scottish Women's Hospitals are known throughout the Balkans.

In November, 1914, the first unit of the S.W.H. was established in Calais, under Dr. Alice Hutchinson, for the purpose of fighting the typhus outbreak there.

A few weeks later a hospital with 100 beds was established in the vast old Abbaye of Royaumont, twenty miles from Paris. This hospital was at that time the only one equipped with a travelling X-ray vehicle.

Within three months, at the request of the French Medical and Military Authorities, the accomodation was increased to 200 beds.

Before the "push" on the Somme, the accommodation was further increased to 400 beds.

Recently a 200 bed hospital was opened at Villers-Cotteret in the French firing-line.

The S.W.H. also have three canteens near the French front, at which they care for worn-out "poilus," who have walked some fourteen or twenty miles, maybe in rain, or snow, on the way back to the trenches.

Soon after New Year, 1915, the first unit of women doctors, nurses, women chauffeurs, women orderlies, and women stretcher-bearers, arrived at Kragueje-vatz. At this time the country was in a condition of appalling misery, and the S.W.H. was decimated by typhus. When the S.W.H. unit arrived, two thirds of the Serbian doctors and nurses had been themselves attacked by typhus, and many had died with their patients. Three women of the first unit died at their posts, from typhus.

This work was continued, until at last four units were established, with over 1,000 beds, in their charge.

Towards the-end of 1916 a large camp hospital and motor transport column, staffed entirely by women, was established near Monastir, under the charge of three Australian ladies—Dr. Agnes Bennett of Sydney, and Dr. Lillian Cooper and Miss Bedford of Brisbane.

In September, 1916, two field hospitals and motor transport columns, staffed entirely by women, were sent, via Arch angel, to the assistance of the Serbian division an Roumania.

Since 1915 the S.W.H. have had a model camp hospital of 300 beds in Salonica, officially attached to the French Expeditionary Force.

This year the activities of this hospital have been considerably increased; 200 further beds have been provided, and a special centre created for the supply of artificial limbs and eyes, full dental treatment, and special curative treatment for nervous cases.

There is a main hospital in Ajaccio, especially for the care of sick Serbian refugees. There is also a branch isolation hospital, and a tubercular lazaret. There are out-patient dispensaries at the main hospital, and also at Chiavari and St. Antoine. Thousands of refugees are cared for in this way.

So much for the bare facts. But behind those facts lies a story of women's heroism worthy to rank with the bravest deeds of an era in which brave deeds have become commonplace. In every branch of the work, the S.W.H. have had to contend with difficulties, hardships, and dangers calculated to daunt the bravest, but they have never flinched. Not only did these women provide and staff the hospitals, but many of them were continuously in personal danger from from the enemy, more particularly during the German occupation of Serbia, and the Dobrudja retreat in Roumania. One party, indeed, under Dr. Alice Hutchinson, was taken prisoner by the Austrians, sent into Southern Hungary, and there treated as common prisoners of war for six weeks. Yet another unit, under Dr. Elsie Inglis (who has since laid down her life), remained at Krague jevaltz during the German occupation, turning what was a charnel house for the dying into a hygienic hospital, and saving many Serbian soldiers. Yet another party, caught at Salonica, and unable to go forward, cared for the train loads of refugees, passed them on to the ships, and finally conveyed some thousands of them to Corsica, where they are still caring for the homeless and destitute men, women, and children taking refuge there.

The women of the S.W.H. accompanied the crowds of starving, dying Serbians in their tragic retreat over the Montenegrian mountains. Their last wraps were spread over the wounded, their last coins given to the penniless, their service given to all who needed it. They bore silently all the hardships, and, scarcely able to walk sometimes, they would stop with a joke on their lips, that they might cheer others. Each member of that company tried to outdo the others in self-sacrifice.

The field hospitals and motor trans port columns which went to the assistance of the Serbian division in Roumiania suffered all the privations and horrors of the Dobrudja retreat, and have since been working on the Russo-Roumania frontier in a position of difficulty and danger.

To this wonderful work of mercy, the women of our Empire have faced danger, dirt, disease, and death. The latest cabled news concerning them is that the founder of the movement, Dr. Elsie Inglis, has given up her life in the cause.

Image source:

THE RED CROSS BUGLERETTE. (1916, December 16). The World's News (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 1955), p. 10. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130584545

Text source:

"THE ANGELS OF THE BALKANS." (1917, December 14). The Land (Sydney, NSW : 1911 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102893950

The Darling of the Downs - Poem - 1856

Here I reprint a poem about sheep and love on the Darling Downs published in 1856.  I do this for reasons which I do not understand.

The poem is a 15 verse work with quatrain (four line) verses mostly following the rhyming pattern AABB. 

S. G. Mee clearly loves their em-dashes. I came to Mee after tidying up one of their articles urging temperance and calling out the evils of grog (I may blog that at another time).  But to be honest, reading this poem I do wonder what they were on :-).  Perhaps they were different S. G. Mees but if that is the case they both had a fascination with em-dashes and literary obscurity. Perhaps they were on something in 1856 and then in 1862 by declaring the evils of grog they are attempting to exorcise their shame. Have provided a link to the original ... just in case you want to confirm I haven't doctored it to be weirder than it should be.

I am also somewhat frustrated by the unrequited asterisk in line seven (see image above), which I can only imagine is a note that they have failed to employ the AABB pattern. Except they committed that error twice and failed to asterisk it the second time.

Here is 'Darling of the Downs', make of it what you will.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

THE DARLING OF THE DOWNS.

Morn floodeth yon orient mountain with gold;
My sheep now look wistfully forth from the fold:
"I see you, old ladies, sweet freedom for ye —
Now the gate is wide open,—there, go!—ye are free!"

Yet musing awhile with glad bleatings they stand;
Some bid me good morn with love-licks of the hand.
For the salt I — to my sheep a true Arab am I, *
And the kinder I treat them the greater my joy.

And now move we on to the glorious day,
'Midst wild thyme and flowers to the mountains away;
Hurrah for a race! — my glad lambkins now see,
Steeple-chasing, avaunt! — a bright lamb-chase for me.

A thousand, wild-bounding, as wavelets of light,
Now take in the sunbeams an ecstacy — light!
Their astounded old mothers, with marvelling stare,
Stretch their necks as to say, "Well I never! — look there!"

But who cometh hither? the last time she came
Her mamma tried to scold me, and that was a shame;
She glides as a sunbeam — (would'st give her the slip?) —
One hand on her pinafore, finger on lip.

I'll try and look solemn: now nothing I see,
But those eyes of soft blue which are speaking to me;
Enchantress! — I'm going, — that dimple! I'm gone, —
She knows it, the puss, and comes boundingly on.

"My sweet little Nelly, you've sure run away."
"Dear shepherd, I have'n--mamma says 'at I may;"

"Well then, my darling, whate'er ma' may say,
If I'm even hung for it, I'll steal you to-day!"

Then those eyes leap up to me — nor now doth she reck,
I shall loose the bright tendrils that cling to my neck;
And I view those pure pearls as their corals dispart,
And a kiss soft as snow-flake now melts in my heart.

Then she clappeth her hands in her innocent glee,
And we bound into sunshine — so happy are we;

She swingeth her hat, and the day is begun;
O glorious, golden-haired child of the sun!

My sheep know her voice, and forget their sweet food,
And listen afar in a rapturous mood;
Then they spring to her side with their gambolings wild,
And bleat forth their love for the beautiful child.

"See 'at 'ittle lame lamb, without mother, behind!"
I take it — the poor fractured limb gently bind:

From behind a grass-tree she peeps forth in the sun, —
"Dear shepherd, tell — tell me when it is all done!"

"Now, love;" — and all sobbing she springs to my side,

And a necklace of bluebells around it hath tied:—
"Dear, dear 'ittle lamby — I'll soon kiss it well!"
Still her sweet little bosom with sorrow doth swell.

Thus pass we the day amidst flowers and joy;
Nor my sheep think of food, their sweet shepherdess by;
At night they look doleful — those loving old dams!

And follow her far, with a stream of their lambs.

Sweet child of the desert! — thou wilderness star!
My sheep love me well, but love you better far;
Oh, who would not love thee, thou creature of light!
With thee I e'er wish it would never come night.

But I take her t'wards home, list! know I full well
Of the marvellous feats of her playmates she'll tell;
Now mamma calls to her — "Come love, be undrest:
Good night! one more kiss — say ye, am I not blest?"

S. G. MEE.

SOURCE

ORIGINAL POETRY. (1856, December 2). The North Australian, Ipswich and General Advertiser (Ipswich, Qld. : 1856 - 1862), p. 4. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78851091