– It’s was a sad, sad day when she went to her rest,
a storm drove her to rocks though the crew did their best.
– Ripped open her side and broke her keel,
there was no more hope for the ship Norma Peel.
– The storm waves were merciless as they crashed upon her,
braking off large pieces and scattering them over the water.
– A pitiless end, of this there’s no doubt,
with anger and rage the ship seemed to cry out.
– Of the crew the seas and the rocks claimed many,
from the rigging the seas swept them, the rocks showed no pity.
– On debris they surged in the flotsam’s grip,
the rocks ground many only a few gave the slip.
– To the beach my boys you must make it or die,
the ship seemed to speak out in a mournful cry.
– My time is done and on me no respite,
to shore you must make it don’t give up the fight.
– So just two hours later Thirty four men lie on the shore,
Of the ninety two souls that was all and no more.
– Within two weeks they were down to just nineteen,
when a ship finally appeared on the desolate seen.
– Of the Norma Peel only the fore and aft structures remained,
on shore fifteen grave markers and the ships bell, quite stained.
– Before they left the crew raised a plaque and the bell,
to their honor the names of the shipmates who fell.
– In storm and wind the bell chimes for the lost,
for a life at sea sometimes it is that life’s cost.
Timothy L. Van Dyke
July 7, 2012