Song about ship named 'Orpheus'

Subject: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: John Moulden
Date: 22 Jun 99 - 12:20 PM

I have been asked about a song concerning a ship called the Orpheus, and despite extensive search can find nothing - I therefore assume that it is a fairly recently composed song. Since my knowledge is mainly of old songs, I must appeal for help - help!

John

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Jun 99 - 03:20 PM

John, can you tell us anything more about the song? I think I've heard of it, but don't recall where. I did find a site called Shipwrecks of Juan de Fuca that makes this mention of a ship called the Orpheus:

[PACIFIC] Sidewheeler "PACIFIC" plunged to the bottom south of Tatoosh Island. After being rammed by the ship "ORPHEUS" on the night of November 4, 1875; 250 men, women and children perished making this one of the biggest shipping tragedies in Juan de Fuca's graveyard!

The Straits of Juan de Fuca (British Columbia and the State of Washington) connect the Puget Sound with the Pacific Ocean. Also take a look here, an especially interesting page on Pacific shipwrecks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: John Moulden
Date: 22 Jun 99 - 06:41 PM

I'm sorry, the questioner had no recollection of anything but its name (at least, not on the night in question) but I'll try to find him more sober.

Thank you for the hint, it is the sort of event which, if it didn't have a song, would inspire someone to make one even at a century's remove.

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: SeanM
Date: 28 Jun 99 - 03:13 PM

I have this song on CD at home... 500 miles south. If I dismember the name of the CD, it's on 'Chants du Marin', and the chorus is something like... The Orpheus was a proud ship sailing 'cross the waves The Orpheus was a doomed ship sailing to a watery grave

I'll post more info once I get home...

M

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: John Moulden
Date: 28 Jun 99 - 04:17 PM

Many thanks for that - I look forward to hearing more

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: SeanM
Date: 01 Jul 99 - 03:04 PM

Many apologies. I can't find the d*&^%d CD. Chances are that one of my roomates borrowed it.

I can tell you that the song regards a New Zealand ship that runs aground off of a harbour, and most men aboard were lost.

My apologies... good luck in your search.

M

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: GUEST,Patrick
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 07:01 PM

Well this thread is 12 years old, but it most definitely is on Chants du Marin. I just received the CD as a gift and was hoping to find a copy of the lyrics online as an aid to learning it.

I'll poke around a bit more, and if I can't find a copy, I'll try to write one here. (The CD liner does not include any lyrics, sadly.)

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: GUEST,Patrick
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 07:23 PM

Didn't find the lyrics anywhere, so here they are.
I'm pretty sure I heard all of these right. Here goes nothing. It starts with the chorus.

As someone pointed out, this is about the wreck of the HMS Orpheus, a royal navy steam-sail ship.

Orpheus

Chorus:
The Orpheus was a proud ship
Sailing the ocean waves
The Orpheus was a doomed ship
Sailing a watery grave

In eighteen hundred and sixty three
she left off Sydney town
Two hundred and fifty men on board
For New Zealand bound
The Tasman sea was smooth and calm
She made her race to run
Until she reached the Manukau bar
And there her race was run

Chorus

Manukau harbor's a haven safe
from the raging storm
But Manukau bar's a treacherous place
Where many fine ships have gone down
The Orpheus tried to take the bar
through the breaking waves
She struck a bank and there stuck fast
And there she ended her days

Chorus

The Orpheus was a modern ship
Powered by steam and sail
But her mighty engines could not save
her from her terrible fate
One boat only was got away
to reach the water blue shore
The steamboat Wonga southward bound
saved a few men more.

Chorus

The poor brave men did refuge seek
On the mainmast hide
The roaring waves broke over them
and swept them all aside
One hundred and eighty nine men were lost
A sad and bitter day
One hundred and eighty nine men were lost
To lie in lonely graves

Chorus

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: GUEST,999
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 08:06 PM

"1863 HMS Orpheus shipwreck

On 7 February the Royal Navy steam corvette HMS Orpheus, carrying British troops, foundered at the entrance to Auckland's Manukau Harbour. Of the 259 men on board, 189 died in the worst maritime disaster in New Zealand waters."

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http://www.edmistontrust.org.nz/artwork/details/wreck-of-hms-orpheus-on-manukau-.html

Admiral Richard Brydges Beechey's painting and some history available at that link. (Takes 3 minutes to read.)

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: AnneMC
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 10:37 PM

"The Orpheus" is sung by the Maritime Crew, a New Zealand sea shanty group. It's on their "Auckland to the Bluff" CD and also recorded on their CD "Under the Southern Cross".

Sound clip of the "Orpheus" track here : http://www.amplifier.co.nz/release/35612/auckland-to-the-bluff.html

Subject: RE: Song about ship named 'Orpheus'
From: Anglogeezer
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 03:51 PM

Go here Wrecksite for a painting and details.

Jake