Sailing Chanty.

BY CAPTAIN Q. C. A. CRAUFURD, R.N., honorary secretary of the Dungeness life-boat station.

" It seemed scarcely possible that the life-boat could reach the ketch before she broke up. To us, watching in the failing light, it also seemed that the coxswain put his helm a-lee before he could weather the spit."—Honorary Secretary's Report.

There she shows on the starboard beam, She must be nearly awash below, 'Eaven be kind an' we reach 'er soon, They must be thinkin' us all too slow.

George can flatten the after sheet ? Seems we could pinch a bit closer yet, Hold on boys while she takes it green, Keep tha' there Verys light outen the wet.

Frank, can ye squint at the compass card, 'Ow is the danger light bearin' now, Can't get a bearin' ? All over the shop ? Chuck it an len' 'em a hand in the bow.

That was a juicy one ! Boys, listen 'ere, I got to chance it wen' nex' we go round We shall be swept an' swept over again If when she's reachin' she touches the ground.

We shall be driven an' pounded to matches If she don' 'old when we veer alongside, Never a man of you gets 'ome to breakfas' If a foul anchor should fail us to ride.

Alf, tend the bollard, you'll feel the warp taudten, Pray for your lives when ole George makes the throw, I'll do my best, boys, good luck to us all then, Ready ! Check foresail! Stan' by George ! LEE OH ! This chanty is the second of nine life-boat chanties by Captain Craufurd, which he has generously given to the Institution. They are published together in a book with coloured cover, price 6d., and can be had from the Institution. Branch honorary secretaries can obtain copies at a cheaper rate for sale on behalf of the branch fivnds..