‘Princess Victoria’ was a boat which carried people far,
Across the brimey ocean, ‘twixt Larne and Stranraer,
Or back across the waves again, and that to Erin’s shore,
But, alas, her sailing days are past, for she will float no more.
She left Stranraer by Scotland’s shore, about the break of day,
With many precious souls aboard, content to get away,
‘Twas on the closing day, alas, of the first month of the year,
Nineteen and fifty-three, of course, and January clear.
When she put out from Scotland’s shore, and the shelter of the land,
She seemed a boat all in good trim, which could the seas command,
But nature’s furies set to work, and the waves rolled mountains high,
And soon a battered wreck she lay, beneath the raging sky.
An S.O.S. was soon sent out, least all would perish there,
And tugs and lifeboats put to sea, across the waters bare,
A warship too rushed to the scene, with all they could command,
In spite of all the ship went down, not many miles from land.
Hurra, for brave old Donaghagee and their gallant lifeboat crew,
Who did so bravely face the waves, to see what they could do,
‘Twas many lives they chanced to save, and brought them safe on shore,
Any may their names in glory stand, and that forever more.
Here’s praise for Captain Ferguson, the Skipper in command,
Who set a fine example there, to all on sea and land,
He raised his hand in proud salute, and that right manfully,
As he, likewise his gallant ship, went down beneath the sea.
And now to all who played a part, over forty souls to save,
And snatched them from the jaws of death, and from a watery grave,
Your and Queen and country should be proud of gallant men like you,
And give great praise to one and all, for that is but your due.
And now to all who mourn and weep, you have our sympathy,
For far beyond a hundred souls, all victims of the sea,
May heaven console you one and all, unto life’s journeys end,
And then in heaven you’ll meet again, with your bright angel friends.
George Barnett 