The book of naval anecdotes1874 |
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Common terms and phrases
action admiral afterwards anchor arms assistance battle battle of Camperdown battle of Trafalgar bo'sun tight boat brave bread British sailor cabin Cape Captain Bligh captain's gig coast command cook crew deck dreadful Dutch endeavour enemy enemy's engaged English exclaimed fell fire fleet Fletcher Christian French frigate gallant gave guns hand head honour hope HORATIO NELSON hundred instantly island Jack John land length lieutenant Lord Nelson Majesty's ship manded marine masts mate ment midshipman miles morning mutineers natives naval never night o'clock officers Otaheite overboard party passed perished pieces port prisoners quarter-deck received reef replied rope round Royal George sail Sally Brown saved says seamen sent ship's shore shot side signal soon Spithead stern struck suffered Swiftsure tain Theseus tion took vessel victory voyage W. S. GILBERT wards watch whole wind wounded wreck
Popular passages
Page 30 - And pretty nigh all of the crew was drowned (There was seventy-seven o' soul) , And only ten of the Nancy's men Said 'here' to the muster-roll. "There was me and the cook and the captain bold And the mate of the Nancy brig, And the bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite, And the crew of the captain's gig.
Page 30 - I'm boiled if I die, my friend,' quoth I; And 'Exactly so,' quoth he. "Says he, 'Dear James, to murder me Were a foolish thing to do, For don't you see that you can't cook me, While I can — and will — cook you!
Page 30 - Oh, I am a cook and a captain bold, And the mate of the Nancy brig, And a bo 'sun tight, and a midshipmite, And the crew of the captain's gig.' And he shook his fists and he tore his hair, Till I really felt afraid, For I couldn't help thinking the man had been drinking, And so I simply said...
Page 30 - Come here,' says he, with a proper pride, Which his smiling features tell, ' Twill soothing be if I let you see How extremely nice you'll smell.' "And he stirred it round and round and round, And he sniffed at the foaming froth; When I ups with his heels, and smothers his squeals In the scum of the boiling broth. "And...
Page 57 - Captain Berry, when he comprehended the scope of the design, exclaimed with transport, " If we succeed, what will the world say ! " " There is no if in the case," replied the Admiral : " that we shall succeed, is certain : who may live to tell the story is a very different question.
Page 51 - He also observed, I believe, to Captain Foley, 'You know, Foley, I have only one eye — I have a right to be blind sometimes;' and then with an archness peculiar to his character, putting the glass to his blind eye, he exclaimed, 'I really do not see the signal.
Page 8 - And see him out of sight." A waterman came up to her, " Now, young woman," said he, " If you weep on so, you will make Eye-water in the sea...
Page 1 - A wet sheet and a flowing sea, A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail, And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, While, like the eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee. O for a soft and gentle wind!
Page 8 - But as they fetch'da walk one day, They met a press-gang crew ; And Sally she did faint away, Whilst Ben he was brought to. The Boatswain swore with wicked words, Enough to shock a saint, That though she did seem in a fit, 'Twas nothing but a feint. " Come, girl," said he, "hold up your head, He '11 be as good as me ; For when your swain is in our boat, A boatswain he will be.
Page 66 - I ran it through, even from my boyish days To the very moment that he bade me tell it; Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and field, Of hair-breadth 'scapes i...