Gates of the former Liverpool Sailors' Home returned

[John Gill]

perhaps a rather tenuous link to the above: was reading this book about the Mersey and came across a short poem by john masefield, who had been a mariner, albeit in sail.which, i think may reflect the thoughts of some of us
A wind's in the heart of me,a fire's in my heels
I am tired of brick and stone and rumbling wagon wheels
I hunger for the sea's edge, the limits of the land
Where the wild old Atlantic is shouting at the sand

[phil griffiths]

Here's a little ditty I wrote in 2004, probably had a couple of rums at the time, but it seems quite apt now. I think I was a little despondent about the fading possibility of the Gate's return too.

Give Mersey to Me
(A plea from the Sailors’ Liver Bird)

HERE I STAND JAILED BY THIS LAND
WEARING MY CROWN WITHOUT MY KINGDOM
CONTAINED WITHIN A CONCRETE CELL
TRAPPED IN THIS LANDLOCKED PRISON.

THE SWEET SCENT OF SALTY SEA
WAS ALWAYS LOST UPON ME
UNTIL I WAS CAGED AND WHIPPED AWAY
LIKE A BIRD IN AN AVERY

MY DREAMS ARE FULL OF MY MERSEY
OF THE SAILORS WALKING BELOW ME
SAILING OUT TO ADVENTURE
TO CHANGE THE WORLD FOREVER

OH, I MISS MY PAST.
MUCH PAIN AND MANY PLEASURES
BUT I WAS BUILT TO LAST
FOR I AM A MERSEY TREASURE.

SO MANY SOULS DEPARTED
TO MAKE THEIR NEW BEGINNINGS
AND ONLY THEIR CHILDREN MAY RETURN
TO SEE US ETERNAL LIVER BIRDS

AND SO I AWAIT, MY PERFECT FATE
TO STAND ABOVE MY PEOPLE ONCE MORE
AS THEY WALK BY MY LIVER GATES
PLEASE GET ME HOME NOW, I’M BORED

[Portmeiriana]

Hi Deep Sea.
Out of interest,where have these gates been kept
over the years.

Dave Williams

I’m the un-official historian for the project.

The gates were sold to Avery to add to their Historical Collection as an example of the ornamental work cast by Henry Pooley & Son. Pooley's became part of Avery's weighing scale business and moved out of Liverpool in the 1930s when their Liverpool HQ was demolished to make way for the Mersey Tunnel.

For the full story of the Sailors’ Home (So far) please take a look at the website:

The Sailor's Home, Liverpool

If anyone has photographs of the building or any other mementos please let me know.

Thanks

Steve