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Tuesday 5 April 2011

William Roberts of Moelfre and "The Charles and Elizabeth Laura"

Excel of Poole in 1927
Excel the ketch from Poole was sinking fast
The storm was raging off the shores of Moelfre
Three desperate men were beaten by the blast
Three desperate men were beaten by the blast

Wil Roberts Owen Jones and crew from Moelfre
In Charles and ‘Lisa’ Laura to assist
Found no way to get close against the Excel
Waterlogged and sinking to her rest
Waterlogged and sinking to her rest

Backing off - with storm seas breaking over
Wil Roberts frantic thinking turned to calm
he aimed the lifeboat - sailed her into Excel
To rescue men the thrashing waves would harm
To rescue men the thrashing waves would harm

Gauging where the biggest wave was pouring
His lifeboat - as the wave broke on the wreck
Lifted in the water - she was flying
She landed on the sinking Excel’s deck
She landed on the sinking Excel’s deck

Three men left the Excel in the lifeboat
As the next wave lifted her away
Battered by her flight but still she floated
She battled gales until the light of day
She battled gales until the light of day

Anchored off the Puffin as he storm raged
Waterlogged exposure all the night
Beaumaris lifeboat towed her in the morning
Desperate from her full-sail late night flight
Desperate from her full-sail late night flight

One man from Excel - one from the lifeboat
Died before the lifeboat reached the shore
Wil Roberts landed - blinded by the salt spray
For hours he thought that he would see no more
For hours he thought that he would see no more

When you see the lifeboat crew on dry land
Don’t forget they’re capable and brave
They’ll turn out in ferocious storms to rescue
Lives that would be lost - they fight to save
Lives that would be lost - they fight to save

2002 CPR

1 comment:

  1. Since posting my lifeboatmen songs - and other shipping songs - on this web site, friends or relatives - often descendents - of hose people mentioned, have contacted me.

    I would encourage you to add to the knowledge, and to comment on the site, below the song to which you have some affinity.. though please contact me by email as well, if you would like to. It is wonderful to hear from you.

    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete