Kalamazoo [Mich.] Gazette (Sept. 11, 1889):

"When I was a a boy in Uncle Sam's navy it was the custom then to heave up the anchor with a song, so to speak, and a great favorite with us was that beautiful, soul-stirring ballad written, perhaps, when Daniel O'Connell was alive, entitled 'Poor Paddy Works on the Railway. ...JAY ROLFE."

A unique attestation of singing while hoisting anchor in the U.S. Navy. Rolfe regrettably gives no further details.