Minesweepers
Devizes and Wilts Advertiser - Thursday 31 May 1917
THE GUNBOAT SWEEPERS.
Dedicated to Officers and Men of the Mine Sweeping Gunboats.
[Composed by the daughter of an engineer on HM.S. Jason (sister ship to the Speedwell) which struck a mine on April 18th, 1917, whilst sweeping, when twenty-seven lives were lost].
They stand with noble courage,
These guardians of the deep.
Who watch Britannia's borders,
While her people safely sleep.
The Cruisers reap the glory.
The Battleships have the fame.
But the ships of the Sweeping Squadron,
Why! some of them haven't a name.
Day after day, and night after night,
'Tis the same dread harvest they reap;
And if ill luck should come their way
It's only the women who weep.
The loss of Battle Cruisers
The nation hears with dread,
Their deeds are sung from shore to shore,
In ev'ry history read.
But the work of the Sweeping Squadron
In silence-that is done,-
And if one goes, the word goes forth.
''Tis small and only one.''
For months their weary work goes on,
With never a chance to rest:
And ever before them the one firm aim,
To get rid of the German pest.
So here's to the Mine Sweeping Squadron,
And here's to its gallant men, too;
And here's to the women who love then,
With hearts that are faithful and true.
But one day in the future,
When this horror and warfare are o'er.
And Peace shall reign for ever
On Britannia's sea-girt shore,
We'll welcome our men with a hearty cheer,
This silent, watchful band,
Who have kept a dread and powerful foe,
From ravaging Britain's land.
D. RICKARD.
THE GUNBOAT SWEEPERS.
Dedicated to Officers and Men of the Mine Sweeping Gunboats.
[Composed by the daughter of an engineer on HM.S. Jason (sister ship to the Speedwell) which struck a mine on April 18th, 1917, whilst sweeping, when twenty-seven lives were lost].
They stand with noble courage,
These guardians of the deep.
Who watch Britannia's borders,
While her people safely sleep.
The Cruisers reap the glory.
The Battleships have the fame.
But the ships of the Sweeping Squadron,
Why! some of them haven't a name.
Day after day, and night after night,
'Tis the same dread harvest they reap;
And if ill luck should come their way
It's only the women who weep.
The loss of Battle Cruisers
The nation hears with dread,
Their deeds are sung from shore to shore,
In ev'ry history read.
But the work of the Sweeping Squadron
In silence-that is done,-
And if one goes, the word goes forth.
''Tis small and only one.''
For months their weary work goes on,
With never a chance to rest:
And ever before them the one firm aim,
To get rid of the German pest.
So here's to the Mine Sweeping Squadron,
And here's to its gallant men, too;
And here's to the women who love then,
With hearts that are faithful and true.
But one day in the future,
When this horror and warfare are o'er.
And Peace shall reign for ever
On Britannia's sea-girt shore,
We'll welcome our men with a hearty cheer,
This silent, watchful band,
Who have kept a dread and powerful foe,
From ravaging Britain's land.
D. RICKARD.
