Hi Richard
It seems as if what you heard is just speculation unless they have another source that they can point to other than collector Ivan Walton or his source, Captain Harvey Kendall.
Lee Murdock also does this & did some searching & found references in the Bentley Historical Library in Ann Arbor Michigan but adds no more that what's already been posted here & in the other Ward Line thread

Here a link (I hope) The Ward Line as it appears in "Windjammers: songs of the Great Lakes sailors" By Ivan Walton which gives some more info but none of which backs up what you heard.

We (Finn & Haddie) just started singing back up to this too with our new addition to the trio Ken Schatz who does the lead. Seeing as I believe he got it from the Boarding Party too, I'd say his info would be as Padre says.

Nice to hear from you Richard

Barry