I stood on the harbour, the waves very high;
Thunder and Lightening lit up the sky.
I saw a small cutter being tossed to and fro
And all of the crew were struggling to row.
They seemed to be drifting away from the shore,
Their efforts were mighty, they couldn't do more!
Two cutters had come from a doomed fishing boat,
One had perished, leaving the other afloat.
The fear of those men was transmitted to me;
I sent up a prayer on that soaking wet quay.
I knew all of them! Were their efforts in vain?
I tried hard to see, through the pouring rain.
A lifeboat appeared from quite close at hand!
They had come to rescue that gallant band.
But the storm raged on, the progress too slow
Against the elements, a bitter foe!
A miracle happened on that murderous night,
A lull in the storm now eased their plight.
Battered and bloodied, exhausted and sore,
eight tired men were brought safely ashore!
