Shaw Savills Buccaneers

[Dennis McGuckin]

SHAW-SAVILL'S BUCCANEERS

As down the quay at half-past three
Came Shaw-Savill's drunken crew -
They'd spent their sub in a dockside pub,
Having a beer or two;
But the time draws nigh, and a shout nearby,
That they all dread to hear;
"Come on, you bums, sailing day has come
For Shaw-Savill's Buccaneers!"

There was Dan McCool from Liverpool,
He was bo'sun of the gang.
For him you'd work - and you dare not shirk,
Or else your head he'd bang!
But Geordie Dick gave him some lip,
And we all shook with fear;
As Dan's mighty paw it broke the jaw
Of that Shaw-Savill's Buccaneer.

Now Bert and Joe were London boys,
And when drunk got fighting mad;
They'd knock you down for half-a-crown -
I tell you, they were bad!
But between these two, and I'll tell you true,
There was something mighty queer -
For they dressed in skirts, did those two flirts
Of Shaw-Savill's Buccaneers.

Now "Slow Starvation and Agony"
Is the firm with whom we sail.
And from Cardiff Bay out to Bombay,
We make all others quail;
So if you aren't rough, and if you aren't tough,
Then brother, don't come near!
If you value your life, don't sail, by Christ!
With Shaw-Savill's Buccaneers.
__________________

Sailed on a few Shaw Savill Ships.
Liked em.
Den.

[Graham Shaw]

Very Good Dennis. I heard there were a couple of alternative names for Shaw Savill & Albion during the heyday. Shaw Swivel or Sh*t and Shovel or SS&A - Slow Starvation & Agony ! I'm sure they were no worse than other companies.The names were just bandied about in conversation quite matter of factly .

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thanks Dennis, excellent poem and tribute.

Keith.

[Michael Black]

Heard that a few times in the crew bar. I did 8 deep sea trips with them, 4 on the Canopic, 1 on the Illyric and 3 on the Icenic. Good ships and crew on a good run Aussie and Kiwi, what an experience for a young lad. Happy days and good memories.
Regards Michael

[Dennis McGuckin]

Heard that a few times in the crew bar. I did 8 deep sea trips with them, 4 on the Canopic, 1 on the Illyric and 3 on the Icenic. Good ships and crew on a good run Aussie and Kiwi, what an experience for a young lad. Happy days and good memories.
Regards Michael

Loved the Icenic. Did her maiden voyage.

[Tony Taylor]

Loved the Icenic. Did her maiden voyage.

Did any of you sail with Terry or Peter Earle - engineers?

[Dennis McGuckin]

Not that I know of.
I was on her in 61.

[happy daze john in oz]

Reminds me of the pirate who said to the other,

'Where's your Buccaneers'

Side of my bucking head he replied.

[Tony Mullen]

Good on ya Den, I sailed on the Gothic, Carnatic ,Aranda ,Cymric , we sang Fugilares, we were the hero's of the night and would rather **** than fight we were the heroes of Shaw Saville fugilares. you'll get no promotion this side of the ocean etc Fantastic ships and crews ,very lucky to be a fugilare.

[Michael Black]

#6 Tony, can't remember Terry or Peter on any of those trips.
Sailed on them between 69 to 73
Regards Michael