Salvage: A Poem (1865)
(BY THE PILOT THAT WEATHERED THE STORM.)
The pilots of Adelaide, they number thirteen, As motley a crew, Sire, as ever was seen, As in most other places I'd have you to know They're mostly sea captains, says Billy Barlow, Heigh ho, lack-a-day ho ! You will do for a pilot, says a Billy Barlow.
The Board that appoints them, somehow does arrange Regulations, to make which appear rather It gives them a license, and says you may go Drown yourself in a wash-tub, says Billy Barlow Heigh ho, lack-a-day ho ! Get drowsed in a wash-tub, says Billy Barlow.
Divided in companies, one two, and three, They cruise in the Gulf, but the public can see That the boat on the beach, Sirs, is always the go, Board the ships from the jetty, says Billy Barlow. Heigh ho, lack-a-day ho ! Board the ships from the jetty, says Billy Barlow.
The cutters being small, we all very well know When it blows from the west, to the river they go, Then the boats on the beaeh are reserved for the few ; You're not the man for Galway, says Billy Barlow. Heigh ho, lack-a-day ho ! You won't do at all now, says Billy Barlow,
The pilots of Ad'laide are so fond of pelf, There's nothing they ever can think of but self, The "Lizzy " from Liv'pool a short time ago Had a go in for salvage, says Billy Barlow. Heigh ho, lack-a-day ho ! What a nice thing is salvage, says Billy Barlow.
Then that big ship from London, she's called the "Electric," Was jammed in at Marino, (a lubberly trick ;) When straight off to Ad'laide, a message did go ; "Here's a rare chance for salvage, " says Billy Barlow. Heigh ho, lack-a-day ho ! Go in for salvage, says Billy Barlow.
The "Cornwallis," for India t'other day she was bound, But early one morn, on the banks she was found, And I cant understand how they came for to go To let her escape salvage, says Billy Barlow, Heigh ho, laek-a-day ho ! I'd have gone in for salvage, says Billy Barlow.
Now, its time that our merchants, or else our marines With their nautical knowledge, should try to find means To frame regulations, so that captains may go in and out, free from salvage, says Billy Barlow. Heigh ho, lack-a-day ho! In and out. safe from salvage, says Billy Barlow.
Of pilots, they're now going to make many more, And add to their number, at least a full score, And all that are able, to get work to do, Must live by their salvage, says Billy Barlow. Heigh ho, lack-aday ho ! Make it up out of salvage, says Billy Barlow.
And now, to conclude my few salvage remarks, Let the pilots be free of the board and its clerks, The number that's -wanted, is only a few,-- Pay them well for their work--give them plenty to do. Heigh ho, lack-a-day ho ! We'd hear no more of salvage says Billy Barlow.
Notes
From the South Australian newspaper the Bunyip Saturday 21 October 1865, p. 4.