LIFE ON A SUBMARINE

‘Twas seen from off a submarine ‘longside the parent ship;
We took in stires and provender ‘ere going on a trip;
The batteries were charged right up, and something in the air
Foretold a lively happening – a tasty bill of fare!

I know we are a merry crew without a blessed care;
Our captain would soon come to us to take us Lord knew where.
We had our letters written to the dear old folks at home
‘Ere setting out right merrily in northern seas to roam.

‘Twas darkish when our captain came aboard upon the scene –
Says he, “Let go fore and aft,” we slip adown the stream;
A night’s run on the engine and we fetched our diving ground,
Then mustered for a breather – for just a last look round.

Day dawned and saw us busy getting down away below;
The captain closes down the hatch and right along we go,
We cruised around for days and days, we spent our nights on top,
But never got a chance to take a happy, running pop.

It gets a bit monotonous as day rolls into week,
Until at last we sight a “U”- the thing we’ve come to seek;
They’re sinking hapless merchantmen, without one word to warn,
And shelling passengers in boats, an act they ought to scorn.

Then captain tells us smartly to get torpedoes placed;
Please God we’ll bungle nothing now through any over haste;
Each trembles with excitement; the order comes “Stand by!”
And Huns had got to understand their turn had come to die.

At last the order comes to “Fire”, we’ve waited for it long;
Out goes our fish fast running, we pray that nought goes wrong.
Then came the loud explosion that told we’d made a hit,
But ne’er a lad among us all had doubted it a bit.

When came that great explosion we shook from stem to stern;
Our “day” seemed drawing nearer, and Fritz had that to learn.
We then came up to surface to give what help we could –
To pick up chance survivors; our hearts are always good.

In midst of life we are in death, its what our prayer-book say,
And in the British Navy we learn it every day.
For men who go to sea in ships their country to uphold,
Hold life just by their finger-tips, yet do as they are told!

We reached a boat of passengers; the injured got first aid,
The weather it was cruel cold, so something hot was made.
Our provender and spirits helped others in distress,
And then we took their boats in tow – a blessed sight I guess.

Then, after hours of steaming, to harbour safe and sound;
Cheers came from quay and vessels, the “buzz” had soon got round.
Full soon the passengers and crews were landed on the shore,
And many then were heard to say “they’d go to sea no more.”

Full soon we lie again, my lads, beside the parent ship;
We looking, as you may suppose, no cleaner for our trip.
So here’s a hope that readers full happy may have been
When reading just these verses about a submarine.

By Leading Seaman R W Seymour 

* This poem was first printed in the Grays and Tilbury Gazette in April 1917 and is featured in the book WW1 Poems and Letters by Men of Grays and Tilbury, which is priced at £6 and is available by emailing truslera@hotmail.com