Anzac Day ;A Prayer for Matelots.

[j.sabourn]

On Oceans wastes no poppies blow
No crosses stand in ordered row
Their young hearts sleep beneath the waves
The spirited the good the brave
But stars a constant vigil keep
For them who lie beneath the deep.

Tis true you cannot kneel in prayer
On certain spot and think he’s there
But you can to the ocean go
See whitecaps marching row on row
Know one for him will always ride
In and out with every tide.

And when your span of life has passed
He”ll meet you at the Captains Mast.
and they that mourn on distant shore
For sailors who”ll come home no more
Can dry their tears and pray for these
Who rest beneath the heaving seas

For stars that shine and winds that blow
And whitecaps marching row by row
And they can never lonely be
Foe when they lived they chose the sea.

[j.sabourn]

The British Navy.
As a kid I was told that the size and number of ships that the Royal Navy had in its fleets depended on the size of the merchant fleets. E.G. for every 5 merchant ships there had to be a warship. As probably if you asked a naval historian what was the first reason to have a Royal Navy , I would surmise he would say it was for the protection of merchant vessels. As the British Merchant Navy if it went any lower it would be part of a submarine fleet so this could be an authentic excuse for those who need one , that the RN has been allowed to
Only diminish over recent years.
JS

[happy daze john in oz]

It was I believe Henry 8th who began the Royal navy in an effort to secure the nation from invaders.

Somehow along the way things have gone a bit belly up.