This poem describes the characters who frequented the watch tower in Amlwch port in the early part of the C20th.
The Watch House song
If Amlwch is at present a little short of posts,
And workshops have stood empty, still standing as like ghosts
Be certain that there was a time when mines worked heart and soul
And the harbour brimmed chock full of ships a busy loading coal.
That’s when the watch House held it’s place as centre of the host
Warm haven in the Winter, to while an hour at most
To pass judgement on the big wigs who came from far and near,
It was the watch house family who held all in it’s sphere.
Oft times within the company they would indulge in jokes
When Huw Rolant would set all astir by calling “Man the baulks”
And after all the labour of hauling “baulks” to shore,
Each man to Watch House would return for to indulge in more.
One really jolly seaman was the captain of “Rob Roy”
Superb at telling stories with his smile like a “Jolly Boy”
When the shore he could not sight, for he was no able seaman
But stern held fast to stomach he could make the Isle of Man
And enchanting was the sailor recounting tales long past
When all sailed together on the high seas that were vast
Tales of the roaring forties, and all would praise their vessel
With some of these recallings, the truth no doubt would wrestle.
Hot argument abated about the merits of the ships,
Some were for “Francis” and others for “Jane Grey”
Some boasted that the “Gauntlet” was of the praise most worthy
And others cried hat “Happy Harry” was the best at making money.
To “Holy Wath” the “Donald” and the “Coniston” gave praise,
And the famous” Margaret Hobley” Queen of the seven seas
As Captain Hughes of “Eilian” boasted a motor boat
So the Captain of the “Laura Francis” took of his sparing coat!
Much praise for the “Fanny” the “Pride” and “Lilly Green”
The “Princess” and the “Irish Minstrel” the “Martha” and the “British Queen”
And as for the “Hero” ,for which much can be said
For the glory of Anglesey and for the sons she bred
Some of the “Gaelic” and the “Meyrick” that sailed so far
Earned more than the rest of them and few could come a par,
But truth be known that for the loads and keeping safe and well
There was none better than the “Little Steamer” and that as sure as hell.
(1913)