The Discovery

In 1901 when the ‘Discovery’ was built,

On the banks of the Silv’ry Tay,

Roy ‘Horatio’ Marrian confused metres and feet,

On the plans, while having something to eat, 

Resulting in the most terrible shock

When he constructed a very, very big dry dock,

Which will be remembered for a very long time.

Dave ‘Blackbeard’ Stewart was in charge of building the ship,

And he bought all the bits at a Hell of a lick,

At vast expense the equipment for navigating,

From Cowes to the Antarctic, was a very long piece of string,

So they could follow it back home at any given time,

Which may be remembered as long as this rhyme.

The sailors have all been educated at College,

With modules in sailing and navigational knowledge,

John ‘Hornblower’ Henderson taught them all he knew,

Which wasn’t much, to give him his due,

But they all will remember it for a very long time.

Jim ‘Kirk’ Forrest installed the electric light,

That would shine fore and aft throughout the long night,

But the insulation parted causing a spark,

And all of a sudden everything was dark,

Alas for the poor sailor who up the mast had climbed,

Who will be remembered for a very long time.

There was some doubt that the stores were sufficient,

But Dave ‘Pugwash’ Woodall was sure that the company would be completely content,

As they were mainly tins of Tennents lager,

And some crisps of dubious odour,

Which will be remembered for a very long time.

And so my friends the voyage must start,

We’ll soon wave goodbye to those dear to our hearts,

When we reach the Antarctic it’ll be cold and white,

And some of us will suffer from awful frostbite,

And we hope to be remembered for a very long time.

Anon

July 1901