Happy Birthday!
James Baines
was born 26 Oct 1823 in Liverpool, England.
He built the 3rd Black Ball Line, the 1850 great clipper one from Liverpool to Australia (not the American, NY-Liverpool one of 1818. He just plai stole the name and black ball insignia.)
After sailing some of the greatest ships ever, Baines died penniless of dropsy and cirrhosis of the liver on 8th March 1899 in a common Liverpool lodging house.
I served my time on the Black Ball line
To me way-ay-ay, hu-ra-ho
On the Black Ball line I served my time
Hurrah for the Black Ball line!
For once there was a Black Ball ship
To me way-ay-ay, hu-ra-ho
That fourteen knots an hour could clip.
Hurrah for the Black Ball line!
But I actually tend to believe the song dates from the earlier line. It was still in use for Baines' ships, though. And later.
ALSO:
Glenn Ohrlin born 10/26/1926 bronc buster, cowboy, performer, scholar & writer - The Hell Bound Train
Copyright © 2005, Abby Sale - all rights reserved
What are Happy's all about? See Notes and Index