Lyr Add: Burning of the Montreal

Subject: Lyr Add: BURNING OF THE MONTREAL
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 05:44 PM

Lyr. Add: BURNING OF THE MONTREAL
(and Loss of Three Hundred Scotch Emigrants)

Tune: Flowers of the Forest

You people of Scotland I pray give attention,
A sad dismal story I goon* shall let you hear, *(soon)
Of the dreadful burning of the Steam-ship the Montreal
For Montreal in Canada her course she did steer.
On the 26th of June at four o'clock that afternoon,
We sailed from Quebec so gallant and brave,
With nearly six hundred of a crew a* passengers, *(and)
Now three hundred and odds they do he* in their graves. *(be)

Many parted with joy upon that fatal Afternoon,
With friends they loved dearly that cross'd o'er the main
Oh, little thought they of the danger before them,
Or that they should ne'er see each other again.
When the Montreal had reached about 12 miles from Quebec,
Mr Hayes at this time came outside the Saloon,
He observed the smoke in columns arising
And used every exertion the Emigrants to save.

'Twas dreadful to hear the cries of women and children,
Clinging to husbands and parents, nearly scorched to death,
Now who can describe their sad situation,
As the Montreal was burning to the water's edge.
Now nearly heart broken is poor Mr Milne,
For the fate of his wife and five children so dear,
Through the town of Montreal he wanders distracted,
And oft on his cheeks seen the salt briney tear.

The fate of John Campbell, his wife and his children,
O'er the town of Paisley has cast a sad gloom,
O little thought they when they sailed with the Montreal
And near to Cape Rouge for to meet a watery grave,
There is also Robert Wilson in the new town of Paisley,
With his wife and young child, and two friends so dear
Were lost in the Montreal on that fatal afternoon,
They will long be lamented with many a tear.

Now many a widow is left broken hearted,
And many a* orphan for their parents does mourn, *(an)
With tears in their eyes their fate will be lamented,
Who were both burned and drownded on that afternoon,
I would have you consider before that you venture,
Or entrust your lives on the merciless wave,
O think on the Montreal with six hundred passengers,
Now nearly three hundred does lie in their grave.

@ship @disaster @emigrant @Canada

Unattributed broadside of 1857. The "Montreal" was a paddle steamer. Some 250 actually were lost. The passengers had disembarked from the steamer "John MacKenzie" which had sailed from Scotland to Quebec (City), and then boarded the "Montreal."

National Library of Scotland. Burning of the Montreal
Broadside facsimile, transcription, and commentary.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: BURNING OF THE MONTREAL
From: Joybell
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 08:33 PM

Thanks Q. What a horrifying and sad story. I used to think these songs were quaint and faintly amusing. Not now though. Maybe it's my age. Anyway thank you. Joy

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: BURNING OF THE MONTREAL
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 10:58 PM

Those interested in more accurate informaion and a passenger list of the "John MacKenzie" may find it in this article on Immigrants to Canada: Passengers
The tragedy was traced by the press and public of the day to "culpable recklessness and disregard of human life."

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: BURNING OF THE MONTREAL
From: masato sakurai
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 10:27 AM

There's a related broadside titled "Wreck of the Ship Tayleur" at Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads.

Printers: Scott, J. (Pittenweem); Wood, J. (Edinburgh)
Date: [1854]
       Imprint: J. Scott, Pittenweem; Sold by J. Wood, 49 North Richmond Street, Edinburgh.         Printer's Series: (250).
       Ballads on sheet: 1

Copies: Firth c.12(90)

Ballads: 1. Wreck of the ship Tayleur ("You people of Scotland I pray give attention ...")
       To the tune of: The flowers of the forest
       Subject: Shipwreck; Liverpool (England); Australia; Scotland
       Note: Slip