Read Stanley's verses describing the HSSC September flotilla to the Southern Adriatic…..
Twelve sailors from the HSSC,
On the 6th September, sailed from Dubrovnik
All were experienced folk of the sea,
But none were prepared for the Adriatic
All twelve sailors, trusty and true,
Anchored first night in a bay seemed so calm,
But the wind that night it just blew and it blew
And at 7 next morning Stan spread the alarm.
We’re shifting he cried, get out of your bed
Captain Avi looked up, he said don’t panic
Commodore Sandy replied what is the dread
Whilst Avi conceded he’d rather be static
The winds they roared and the waves they raged,
The anchor had drifted and the boat was askew
But the boat was still floating and the crew were amazed
And as they toiled with valour, the boat flag still flew
The engines switched on and the anchor was raised
Whilst the storm itself ravaged the sea all around
But the boat started way and the skipper was praised,
And the crew they re-anchored and the boat made well found
The crew scratched their heads and waited and waited,
Whilst contact was made with their other sea farers,
By 12.00 of that day the storm had abated
And all decided to seek safer shores
That day all 12 crew agreed in both boats
To seek the safety of a comfortable mooring,
They found a safe haven in Slow for both boats
And the exhausted crews gave a gusty cheering.
That night was spent in a tavern for 12
And the rum it went round and around and around
The hero’s deserved every drop from the shelf,
Relieved in the knowledge the boats not aground
Day number 2 they were up with the lark,
Both boats were made ready to sail to Okuklje
The weather still windy and the sky looking dark
But the crew were all eager and therefore made way
Although very stormy the crews braved it out
Seeking an anchorage close to an inn
The staff in the kitchen gave rations of sprouts,
So supper was paramount in the hearts of our kin
On a wing and a prayer they sailed further on
And the weather relented in the first half of the day
A mooring was sighted where they could tie on
And at last the crew rested in the Isle of Sipon
They all felt safe that night in the boats
And the kitchen staff slaved to make a great feast
Many a drink was passed down their throats
And the crew they ate well that night of the feast
Five nights on the boat and six days at sea,
The trusty crews were feeling weary and tired
On the seventh day it was time to return
So they turned the boats round with their hearts re-fired
The day was spent sailing back to the base,
They were not racing just testing their skills
The sea was good and the wind quite a brace
And the boats were speeding through waters not still
Constant sailing for a full 7 hours
Home base was sighted and the boats made ready
The crew, though exhausted, were thinking of showers
But at last the boats moored steadfast and steady.