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----- Original Message -----From: Steve RoudCc: Roy PalmerSent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:36 AMSubject: [Tradsong] The Brig Columbus
In 1955, Peter Kennedy recorded a song called 'The Brig Columbus' from Dorothy Fourbister, on Flotta, Orkney. She had learnt the song from her father (no date given) and she was aware that there were other verses which she had forgotten. I can't find any other version, nor can I pin down the song to a real event. An internet search (and The Times archive) threw up several brigs called 'Columbus' including Norwegian and American examples which both had mishaps at sea, but I can't find one with a full-blown shipwreck. Can anyone please help with further information about the song, the ship, or the incident?Dorothy's text follows:BRIG COLUMBUS
Dorothy Forbister
From Leith Roads in a pleasant gale
The Brig Columbus she set sail
For the East Indies she was bound
But never reached her distant ground.
The wind blew hard from the south south east
Which harried her on bound further west
It’s for Long Hope(?) she was to run
Thinking that dreadful storm to shun.
And when she did the Skerries clear
Free from all danger she had no fear
And then she struck the Lowther(?) rock
Where the waves o’er her like mountains frock
The mainmast gone, close by the board
The captain ? by that heavy stroke
It made our gallant hearts to sigh
Oh when our eyes no land could spy.
The foremast gone cried every tongue
For to that stake they had stuck so long
Till one by one they were washed away
In spite of the Pentland’s furious spray.
A boat put out from Barry Bay
It was so fierce it could not stay
Thrice they tried but at last gave way
In spite of the Pentland’s furious spray.
He turned him around and viewed the spot
Where his dear comrades cast their lot
Her turned him around with a tearful eye
And ? into a bitter cry.
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