Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-09-07
The
Once Ooer

A ship that scudded fast before
the breeze
Your deeds were those to stir the
hearts Of men.
Once feared by mighty ships
around the world
To board you meant to battle and
to die
And now you chafs . dock with
ensign furl'd.
The gaping staring mob 70 satisfy.
Where brave men fell In running
streams OF blood
And clash OF cutlass fighting fill
ed the air
Where gunners through the heat
OF battle stood,
Now giggling ilappers stop beside
q gun
And chortle to their boy friends,
"Oh, how cute
Il wonder II they ever fired one7"
And did these funny cannons
ever shoot?"
Now men Of all extractions roam
thy decks.
Moved by the urge OF curiosity;
How must their stares your noble
spirit vexl
Such Is an old time fighters In
"fhe Ship That Was a Navy
that was you:
The frisate fast that never ost
a fight,
Most famed Of all the valiants OF
the blue.
You now are but . side show. day
and night.
Your body Lnew the touch Of Paul
Revere
His forge produced the bolts that
rlede you strong;
Today you feel q contact strange
and queer
As hordes Of strangers through
.-ur body squirm.
Twas Bets Ross whose fingers
made the flags
That placards, signs and little
printed cards
Are needed to acquaint the crowd
with you.
You we're brave Preble's flagship
in the days
When all the country was q wild
erness;
When British frigates lurked in
many bays
TO cause our seamen worry and
distress;
You cleared the seas Of foes in
And eve left the outcome long
In doubt;
Your guns the hulls OF valian.
ships did pierce
The whole world marveled at your
strength so stout.
Today you're but Q ghost. a spec
ter. wrath
A ship that folks recall from pic
ture books:
Those wond'rous years In which
you kept the faith.
Are not made much more vivid
from your looks:
Odd faces and strange figures
mark you now
There's something queer about
you. something wrong:
The people who now I'LL you, stern
to bow,
And roam your decks Just some
how don't belong.
The swarthv kids MUNICH hot
dogs" on the deck
Where Nicholson and Hull direct
ed fire:
There by the rail a girl and boy
friend neck
And on the dock a taxi blows a
tire!
Where many Law and let their
life's blood flow.
AS ragged historic battles to a close,
Two lovers whisper secrets soft
and low
And Broadway sportsmen talk Of
"des" and dose"
To starboard where your guns
poured forth such death
In eighteen-twelve beside the
GuerrieTe.
There Tolls a well-boiled tourist
with a breath
That makes a staid old lady turn
and stare.
Up in the bow that pirates fear
cd TO sight
The bow that to all foemen SPELL
ed ~diStreSs)-
A muddled visitor who's not ~ 'te
bright
Exclaims. shes Just q picture
stunt. / guess
Over thy fighting tops a motor
huns.
Its pilot viewing you as but q
ghost.
And from the pier below there
strangely comes
A cry Of Jumbo peanuts! Fresha
Roasti ...
You would be happier indeed,
Old Ironsides, TO close the epic
Had Uncle Sam Of Holmes put
taken heed.
CONSUMING you TO lightning and
the gale"
CAN YOU REMEMBER
Away back when you could fright
en- somebody out OF breaking the
law by thr itening to have L,E
arrested.
Whatever became Of Admiral
Byrd?
1t Is understood that ex-Ambassa-
dor Gerard is ready to withdraw
that list OF men named as the Great
est Americans and nominate them
all as hockey goal finders instead.
Col. Lindbergh has been shown
consideration by all nations bit
Japan is the first to punish two
brother lirdmen for daring TO Dit
an opposition attraction.
D,;L, HooHI