National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-01

ay would be renewed OF Tue COI+AieiLN VA
,Ssel.
Who says the glory of our land
Was born to sure decay,
Or that our naval heroes grand
Have passed for e'er away?
Ifsuch there be who harbor doubt
That heroes yet abide,
Let him but list my story out
Then die with glut of pride.
"Old IrOnsides at anchor lay"
Ut doesn't matter where
When England's ship sailed down the hay
In hopes to make repair
Ofbroken ribs and Stove-in side
Received in cruel shock
And gain new strength to breast the tide
In Uncle Sans Dry Dock.
All unsuspicious of the foe,
The Dock" at anchor fast,
Was nOdding gently 10 and fro,
When, driven by the blast,
The Sandringham doomed Oh the sight
Ofthose who watched the stars
Upon our flag that wooed the light
Above our gallant tars.
What is yon stranger craft?"
"The Sandringham." Mckay replied;
"Cnstop your bloody raft
And give me room TO enter in
Upon the yielding ways,
Or by the Lord. I'll raise a din
You'll not forget for days"
The startled sentry rubbed his eyes,
Yet never stirred pace,
Although he heard the captains cries
And saw his angry face.
But Stupcfed with fear and dread,
Fast rooted to the spot
He stood, and steadfast gazed ahead,
All earthly things forgot.
But when the Sandringham wore round
And brought her guns to bear
"a British captain can't be found
Who don't know how to swear
The sentry. Quickened by his fears
And oathS (Which seamen use)
That constantly asSailed his ears,
Made haste to spread the news.
Then rose Mckay, with fury crowned;
Then words that end with "
More thick than tongue can tell.
"YoU lazy lubbers-Yankee cubs"
He cried, make room for me,
Or by the Lord, I'll sink your tubs
Ten fath0mS in the sea-
On, on. controlled by nerves OF steel,
The Sandringham was driv'n-
(McKay himselfstOOd at the WHEEL
And silence deep was riY'n
BY lusty oathS that might arouse
The fabled sleepers seven,
Though farther from the vessels bows
Than were the gates of Heaven.
Meanwhile the British vessel prest
Yet closer in TO shore,
a huge machine, with lofty crest,
Lay threat'ningly befOrc)
Which, when he saw, the bold Mckay,
Though trembling with alright,
Cried: Curse you, lubber, clear the way,
Or feel Briton'S might"
The craft Ctwas used for driving piles)
Remained in grim repOse,
Repo,e that Oftentimcs beguiles
The wariest of foes ,
The craft remained beneath the pail
0fsilence. deep and dread;
Nor came there answer to the call
Or Oaths so Wiley sped.
The ship, like mighty wedge of oak,
Drove through the narrow way,
While all along the birthstone smoke
OfShattered cuss-words lay.
The dock, submerged, was won at last;
The Sandringham at rest;
Mckay himself had made her fast,
With aTdOr unreprest.
But bark, What sounds doth now confuse
What uproar fills the air?
All IT'S the brave commander, Hughes,
Uprising from his lair.
He takes him down his trrlsty blade,
And dons his uniform;
And thus. with pOmp of ow'r arrayed,
Comes forth to meet the storm.
Perhaps" he said, as swift along
Himself and sentry sped;
Perhaps may submit to wrong,
But never till I'm dead.
Perhaps this miniOn ola queen
never wish 10 see
May take me for a raw marine:
Perhaps he'll staear at me!
And if he does, o, / should smile
To have him try that game;
I'd let him know in little while.
Dod-Uot him, who's to blame"
Thus saying he approached the dock,
Prepared to go on board,
Hhen-Great Jehovah! what q shock!
" SDps in cbn'S in ~ he roo,ad
Then from his eyes shot flames Of fire;
Then ] armed his noble soul,
Hith lie 9est glow of patriot ire,
Beyoi his minds control.
But when his ever watchfll eye
Took in the truth at last
|ehosaphat: They've pumped her dry"
lie cried, and stood aghast
BGi not for long. With stately mien
de boldly made advance,
Nof sought he there for any screen
NJ FROM harm, save his own glance,
"n1ch' when the British lion saw,
lie quickly laid him down,
A..t drew The velvet Ger each claw,
Suhuued by Freedoms frown.
'--NA' 1ltV HlllllOQ. COWeQ,
Lay groyeling on tho deck,
Inc victor walked, with footsteps proud,
10 view the vessels wreck.
Sl.c Il hoatl" be cried, in thunder tones
enc II float, or I'm goose;
anu IL she don't, why, 'DaFy jones'
May get her. Turn her loose!"
Il, ms command some made demur.
Inc British captain, he
- humble tones made speech. Dear SIR
nc SAID, "let US agree.
meant ~, no harmi and what I've wrought
sorry for, It's true.
meant no harm, and never thought
~ launch an oath at YOU"
ou"hile The admiral-in-chief
hsa heard the notes of strife.
'nu quick resolved TO send relief
n ~ save the Nations life.
seizea his pen with courage bold
AZ ,-.u wrote with fearless hand:
co, uO' The Briton's might or gold
Seducs you from your stand
I T1l: ont the ship. If turn you may;
Ana aUs' oloW up the dock,
"[u leach proud Britons if don't nav
RAIL- n StarFs Flag to mock.
gtnrr- -e lhainmaSt-pump her full
Ava I'm On her shot and she'll
Tn o he miniOn of John Bull
I" Baltimore orwell,
S aEs read the message and turned pale.
NS hKs war. VOW,