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73
III. THE WRECK OF THE ‘BIRKENHEAD.’
On the 26th of February, 1852, about 2 o'clock in the morning, the troop-ship ‘Birkenhead’ struck on a rock off the Cape of Good Hope, and it immediately became manifest that the ship must very shortly sink. The crew numbered 130, the troops on board 480, with 20 women and children. Three boats were lost in launching, and the remainder could carry few beside the women and children. These were embarked, under the care of as many of the crew as could accompany them without overloading the boats. The rest of the crew, and the troops, drawn up on the deck, remained and sank with the ship.
To England's flag a challenge
Came from the rebel sea:
“Yield us your babes and women,
Yield us your pride, and flee!”
Came from the rebel sea:
“Yield us your babes and women,
Yield us your pride, and flee!”
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O Sea, thy wrath hath fooled thee!
Sea, thou art over-bold!
Know'st thou not then that banner?
Thou knew'st it surely of old.
Sea, thou art over-bold!
Know'st thou not then that banner?
Thou knew'st it surely of old.
Across the waste of waters,
Of help and hope forlorn,
Their level eyes untroubled
Looked with a quiet scorn.
Of help and hope forlorn,
Their level eyes untroubled
Looked with a quiet scorn.
For honour and for pity
They made their choice to die,
And the great name of England
Held up their hearts on high.
They made their choice to die,
And the great name of England
Held up their hearts on high.
Still on the deck unswerving
The bayonet-line gleamed bright,
Then, with the plunging vessel,
Plunged to eternal night.
The bayonet-line gleamed bright,
Then, with the plunging vessel,
Plunged to eternal night.
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So made they sure their triumph
Over the rebel sea;
For Death stood near to serve them,
And sealed their victory.
Over the rebel sea;
For Death stood near to serve them,
And sealed their victory.
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