In Canso Strait

from Alone on the Wide Wide Sea by Craig Edwards

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about

In Canso Strait (1870s?)
From Charles Hartlan and Frank Faulkner of South-East Passage, Nova Scotia, found in Creighton. Because decisions at sea sometimes have to be made rapidly in the face powerful natural forces, the captains of working vessels are legally accorded extraordinary power over their crews. Abuse of that power is the other side of that coin, and this tale of needless risk and firm resolve aboard a fishing schooner returning to its home port of Gloucester shows a crisis of command coming to a head. In the 1870s, when I suspect this incident happened, the Gloucester “clipper schooner” design, with an oversize sail plan and shallow draft, led to numerous fast schooners getting “tripped” and capsizing in heavy seas.

lyrics

In Canso Strait our vessel lay

We just arrived in from the Bay

Our vessel built both stout and strong

To Gloucester she does belong.


We were homeward bound and ready for sea

When our drunken captain got on a spree.
He came on board and to us did say:

"Get your anchor, lads, and fill her away."



We filled her away at his command.
With all sails set we left the land,

Leaving Sand Point all on our lee

As we sailed into a heavy sea.


The night came on and dark clouds lower;

The wind did howl and breakers roar.
An angry squall and the angry sky

It put her down at half-mast high.


We kindly asked him to shorten sail

Or we'd all be lost in the heavy gale.
He turned and swore if the wind would blow

He'd show us how his boat could go:



"I am captain here and I will not fail

For to shoot the first man to touch a sail

Then up speaks one of our bravest men:

"There's nine of us right here at hand


We'll reef her down and to sea we'll go,

If he interferes, lash him down below.
We'll reef her down to a steady steer

From those breaking waves as she disappears

."

We're heading up the Cape Shore now

As she knocks the white foam from her bow.
Our jib-sheet tore, in the wind it flew;
We hauled it down and bent our new.


We were homeward bound with great success

Like some lonely seagull seeking rest

When I get home no more I'll sail

With a drunken captain in a heavy gale.

credits

from Alone on the Wide Wide Sea, released August 9, 2022

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Craig Edwards New London, Connecticut

I play American roots music, from Appalachian fiddle and banjo tunes to Zydeco accordion. For nearly four decades i worked as a staff musician at Mystic Seaport Museum, demonstrating the use of chanteys, or sailor work songs, aboard the museum's collection of historic ships. I've plumbed the depths of sailor music, from the African American origins of chanteys to world maritime traditions. ... more

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