A LEGEND lives on with the Irish and beyond Of an Ocean that's called North Atlantic.
That Ocean in spring, haunting memories it brings Of the ICEBERG that sank the TITANIC.
With passengers galore 2,200 and more Sailing west to the Island of Ellis, That new Ship and crew had a future in view If only they'd lived they could tell us. That Ship was the pride of the WHITE STAR LINE Conceived at the HARLAND and WOLFF Shipyards.
As Royal Mail Ships go it was Grander than most As it tried to outdo the CUNARD.
With a few practice turns as the Captain had learned She left BELFAST for SOUTH HAMPTON and CHERBOURG.
But late one night, no moon in sight, T'was too late to tum from the ICEBERG!
Up in the Crows Nest, FLEET did his best.
No binoculars on a dark sheet of glass.
Had the ICEBERG been seen, she may have careened.
Still the Ship was going too fast!
With more time on the clock for First Officer MURDOCH, Who was presently at the helm, There'd be no need to delve into this disaster of 1912.
Chaos! Panic! So overwhelmed!
MARCONI electrodes sent out CQD codes,
The distress call for ships when in peril.
Soon everyone knew, as CAPTAIN SMITH did too, The unthinkable was about to be herald!
Fifth officer Lowe thru bodies & debris he rowed.
23 more lives were saved.
Lifeboats together he tied, making them easier to be spied.
Here's recognition for the effort he made.
The morning came late. The living had to wait.
TITANIC! There's no trace of ya!
1,500 lives claimed. Soon rescuers came.
Survivors were put on CARPATHIA.
Tho' not self-proclaimed, the HERO is named-
SIR Captain ARTHUR HENRY ROSTRON!
He sailed thru the night.
He did everything right!
As for the Californian, 'tis quite the conundrum!
The recovery ship made a gruesome trip,
Captain LARNDER of the MACKAY-BENNETT Cable.
306 retrieved - still, so hard to believe!
Yet his crew was willing and able.
The STRAUSS' of Macy's, BUTT not ARCHIBALD GRACIE, Remained and together they went down.
Young EVA HART and her family did part, As did RUTH BECKER and EDITH & MOLLY BROWN.
MILLVINA DEAN was part of the scene, As was VIOLET JESSUP and LAWRENCE BEASLEY.
They donned their coats and descended in lifeboats, As did others like DANIEL BUCKLEY Also worth mention, and a little heart wrenchin', Is WALLACE HARTLEY and his 8 piece band.
They played 'til the end.
Let's not forget them.
Their memorials are erected in England.
WALTER LORD was an author with much insight to offer ANIGHT TO REMEMBER, THE NIGHT LIVES ON.
His firsthand accounts have cleared up some doubts Of the Ship of which so many have grown fond.
TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY, tho' perhaps not futility, EATON, HAAS, LYNCH and WYN.
Tho' they researched it all, 'tis still cloaked in a pall.
Their work heard above all the din.
KAMUDA and TICEHURST and many others well versed, Shared their views of that Grand Ocean Liner.
This HISTORICAL SOCIETY, thru much work and piety,
Did their best to help define her.
Chief Officer WILDE, tho' not wanting to rile, Said he didn't like this Ship.
WILLIAM TANTUM'S resound was that TITANIC be found.
He died before that noteworthy trip.
BALLARD'S explore to the Atlantic floor, MARSCHALL'S art from Smokestack to Keel.
That deep sea dive brought TITANIC alive!
KEN'S paintings so surreal!
LEE and FLEET, no field glasses. The Ocean, no distinct classes Be it steerage or second or first.
Rich or poor, no one was sure How Atlantic would quench her thirst.
I hope we have learned!
From Bow to Stern,
THOMAS ANDREWS knew that Ship inside and out.
Yes, TITANIC set sail. It's an unsinkable tale.
That's a fact we know all about!
Tho' TITANIC lies mute, she deserves a tribute.
She has crowned TIME with HONOR and GLORY.
Lifeboats were there, as well as JACK THAYER Voices to share their stories.
Ships sail in fear, as through ice fields they steer, In April with bergs floating free.
They chart their course NOW knowing the FORCE, With knowledge that SLOW is the key!
Yes, a Legend lives on from both sides of the pond, Kept alive by all us fanatics.
Lest we forget about the fate that she met, We'll keep afloat the TITANIC!
(January 202:5)