G'day cobbers,

Peter Puter has survived major surgery, and is now cohabiting compatibly with Minnie Modem and Sally Skanner - Herewith proof of the puddin' - lyrics of a couple of "songs" from the logbook of a New Bedford whaler Samuel Robertson.

I WAS ONCE A SAILOR^^

Yes I was once a sailor lad
I plowed the restless sea
I saw the sky look fair and glad
And I felt proud and free

I breathed the air of many a clime
Saw beauties fair and gay
My hopes were fixed on future time
The present slipped away

Experience and hope's brilliant view
Like mist dissolved away
I found small harvest did accrue
To plowmen of the sea

I found my team would rage and rove
'Twas but the fickle wind
That plowing o'er the rolling sea
No furrow left behind

Days have passed by I'm snug on shore
Safe from the sea's alarms
I have a never failing store
A fifteen acre farm

Oh sweet it is to till the soil
'Neath our New England sky
And sweet when I have eased my toil
To muse on days gone by.

From the logbook of _Samuel Robertson_ of New Bedford, who made two voyages to New Zealand in 1837-40 and 1849-52.

_______________________________________

SATURDAY NIGHT AT SEA^^

A sailor loves a gallant ship
And messmates bold and free
And ever welcomes with delight
Saturday night at sea
Saturday night at sea my boys
Saturday night at sea
Let every gallant sailor sing
Saturday night at sea

One hour each week we'll snatch from care
As through the world we roam
And think of dear ones far away
And all the joys of home
Saturday night at sea my boys
Saturday night at sea
Let the winds blow high on board
Saturday night at sea

We'll think of those bright beings who
Bedeck with joy our lives
And raise to heaven a prayer to bless
Our sweethearts and our wives
Saturday night at sea my boys
Saturday night at sea
In storms and calms through life we'll sing
Saturday night at sea.

From the logbook of Samuel Robertson of New Bedford, who made two voyages to New Zealand in 1837-40 and 1849-52. ______________________________________

I need help

Catters from the "New Bedford" area - anyone prepared to go to the Whaling Museum, track down the Samuel Robertson logbook, and get back to me?

There's a story there....;)

Cheers - Sam