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23rd November 2021, 05:49 PM
#1
Going to sea
GOING TO SEA
when I was a lad, ten years and three,
I worked in the pits out under the sea.
Down in the dank the ocean seeped in,
Danger was present, wages were slim.
I'm going to sea, my mother asked why,
For something to do in the month of July.
To see what it's like to stand on a deck,
To learn a new trade and not break my neck.
I left our old farm, a bit nervous inside,
My worn Kennebecker held by my side.
I found an old schooner alongside the pier,
Bidding farewell to my family so dear.
We're off to the banks for flounder and cod,
Prayers were offered to Almighty God.
I learned the ways of the fisherman's trade,
Never regretting the choice I had made.
So find you a new occupation,
A fisherman, farmer or so.
And die from clean air and the sunshine,
And not from the dust off the coal.
Ian Adrian Millar
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23rd November 2021, 06:17 PM
#2
Re: Going to sea
an uncle ..a deputy in whitburn pit ...told me as the mine went under the sea ....the drummin of a ships prop would sometimes be heard ....not for cappy down there thankyou
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23rd November 2021, 08:25 PM
#3
Re: Going to sea
Nice to see words about the real / true seamen of yesteryear.
K.
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24th November 2021, 07:31 PM
#4
Re: Going to sea
In my grandfather's day there were really no child labor laws and many children some as young as nine years worked in the pits of Cap Breton with some tending to the needs of the "Pit Ponies" which were used to haul coal underground. An alternative to working in the pits was to go fishing with the dangers and perils of that calling. Times were not easy and times called for children to work to support their families.
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24th November 2021, 07:39 PM
#5
Re: Going to sea
Few of my Family Men Members were in the Gold Mines at early ages, i too was on them but at a later age however very Hot and hard Work down there some 15000 feet under! Saw some bad accidents with Rock Falls (Bumps) as we called them, where at times an Entire length of Stope (working Area) came down on the Crew, no chance of getting out of any of that alive! The Stopes were only at some top Height of 4 feet! So all 8 hours a day on one,s knees!
Not a job for the meek and mild!
Cheers
Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website
R697530
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25th November 2021, 05:24 AM
#6
Re: Going to sea
WE were lucky here in Oz Vernon as many of the gold mines were open cut.
But the underground ones, have been down a couple, were not so far under.
Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller
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