Not exactly a nautical song but maybe other sea music folks would be interested in reviving this old blues. I'm not sure who actually composed it; the notes that came with the CD are silent on that point and I haven't done more than recheck what I hear from the CD with lyrics posted on the web:
SHIPWRECK BLUES
(As sung by Bessie Smith, originally recorded in 1931; re-released on THE ESSENTIAL BESSIE SMITH, Columbia/Legacy-C2K64922, 1997)
Captain, tell your men to get on board, I sure see 'em just pull into another shore.
I'm dreary in mind and I'm so worried in heart, Oh, the best of friends sho' has got to part.
Blow your whistle, Captain, so your men'll know what to do, Blow your whistle, Captain, so your men'll know what to do, When a woman gets dreary, ain't no tellin' what she won't do.
It's cloudy outdoors as can be, Oh it's cloudy as can be, That's the time I need my good man with me.
It's rainin' and it's stromin' on the sea, It's rainin', it's stormin' on the sea, I feel like somebody has shipwrecked poor me.
Note: if you repeat the first line of the first two verses, you don't need to fill with instrumentation as was done on the CD. Your choice!