THE MANCHESTER CANAL

O the S.S. Irwell left this port the stormy seas to cross
They heaved the lead & went ahead on a voyage to Barton Moss
No fair ship e'er left the slip from this port to Natal
Than the boats that plough the waters of the Manchester Canal

The third day out or thereabout a great storm swept the main
The captain called his officer, I just forgot his name
"You see that light there on the right? Aye, aye" he did exclaim
"Well it's the Wilson Brewery lightship at the end of Ancoats Lane"

The captain's brow was darkened for he saw a storm was brewing
And the engineer reported that the horse it wanted shoeing
"Is there a chart aboard this barque?" He asked of 1 or 2
The captain he was ashy pale & so was all the crew

"By gum, we've lost our reckoning, whatever shall we do
We must be near to Bailey Bridge on the banks of Pinmill Brew"
Then all became confusion as the stormy winds did roar
And the captain wished himself & crew were safe again on shore

"Let go the anchor boy" he cried "for I am soerly puzzled
The mate is drunk & in his bunk, see that the cook is muzzled
We're short of grub in this 'ere tub & we are far from land
There's not a oat in this 'ere boat & the engine's broken down"

"Close reef the sails" the bosun cried "we're in a great dilemma
Just row her to Pomona Bay she cannot stand the weather
She's sprung a leak now all si lost let each man do his best
For soon she'll be a total wreck on the shoals of Throstle's Nest"

But soon the storm abated it, was rather overrated
When the captain, crew & officers were quickly congreated
They searched the chart in every part, to find their situation
They were east, nor'east of Bailey Bridge, just south of Sallford Station.

@canal
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BF
oct99
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