Another landlocked sea shanty - To the tune of Brighton Camp (or the Girl I left Behind or the Calibah or whatever vesion you know :-) )

THE MANCHESTER CANAL

Oh, the S.S. Irwell left this port the stormy seas to cross
We heaved the lead and went ahead on a voyage to Barton Moss
No fairer 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 one or two
Then the captain he went ashy pale and 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 Pin mill Brow"
Then all became confusion as the stormy winds did roar
And the captain wished himself and crew were safe again on shore

"Let go the anchor boy" he cried "for I am sorely puzzled
The mate is drunk and in his bunk, see that the cook is muzzled
We're short of grub in this 'ere tub and we are far from land
There's not a oat in this 'ere boat and 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 is 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
The captain, crew and officers were all congratulated
They searched the chart in every part, to find their situation
They were east, nor'east of Bailey Bridge, just south of Salford Station.

Enjoy :-D.

Out of interest - If you go across Barton Moss you must be on the Manchester Ship Canal - But while that does go near Salford Station it goes nowhere near Pin Mill Brow - That would be the Rochdale Canal. I don't know Bailey Brige but if it is near Bailey Street that is close to Pin Mill Brow as well. The Throstles Nest could be anywhere as there was an abundance of pubs with that name. The only remaining one I am aware of is on Seymour Grove in Trafford - Nowhere near any canals!

Cheers

Dave