1912 Titanic 2012

[R864382]

The waggoner's whip split the still air
with a thunderous crack over the leading mare.
Twenty Shire horses heaved and took up the strain
pulling three huge anchors and fathoms of chain.

This long wagon train moved onto the street,
the children of Netherton ran alongside in bare feet.
One hundred tons of wrought iron it was told,
over the cobbles they struggled with this heavy load.

The anchors and chain arrived right on time
to be fitted on a ship of the White Star Line.
The largest liner built in her day ,
Luxurious! unsinkable? the builders would say.

On a freezing cold North Atlantic night
the passengers and crew got a terrible fright.
An iceberg had cleaved a gash in her side,
into the vast ocean the ship started to slide.

Not enough life boats on board to help them away,
Fifteen hundred and seventeen souls would perish that day.
Titanic now lies still on the deep ocean floor,
guarded by three huge anchors and chain in its store.