THE ROYAL CHARTER

(Wrecked off Moelfre, Anglesey 1859)

From Melbourne to Liverpool bound

in less than fifty eight days, by sail

and steam the Royal Charter comes

via Queenstown in Ireland and around

the Skerries with cargo of wool and hides

weighted with golden dust and coins

from fortunes made in a far off land.

 

To Moelfre’s razor rocks on Anglesey coast

a total wreck, bulwarks smashed

decks breaking up in sight of help

so near to land they could see desperate faces

and hear their fearful cries

but waves and winds too fierce to drag

four hundred wretched souls

from their watery doom.

 

And later on the shore

ragged figures bent double

dodge the restless tide

picking sovereigns from between

the rocks like shellfish.

 

Published in 'First Cut'  by David Subacchi. Cestrian Press.2012.