“THE VINDICATRIX”

A tribute by Capt. Joe Earl

(an `Indefatigable` Boy)

Have you heard of Mrs Drysdale? - no reason why you should,
Unless you were a Vindi Boy recalling pretty good,
She’s the smartly painted figurehead from your training ship,
Which started life in `93 down a launching slip.

Many thousand old boys have memories of her,
Men from Vindicatrix I’m sure will all concur,
Training there was tough, discipline a blast,
But the making of a seaman from boy to man at last.

They came, perhaps, from cities, a village or the plough,
And grew aboard the Vindi - with Drysdale on the bow,
Learning by the hard times, the hunger and the strife,
The hale and hearty culture and friends made there for life.

The lads were taught seafaring ways, `afore they went abroad,
Instilled in them the values, that helped them stand assured,
Eventually they sailed away, each with doughty crew,
Plying trade around the world where the `duster` flew.

They joined the ranks of steadfast men, who kept our commerce flowing,
Withstanding foe and stormy seas when the winds were blowing,
All for one and shipmates - when the devil knocks,
Stemming from their early days hard by Sharpness docks.

A kindred spirit bonds them, by sailing `neath the stars,
The sea their life and laughter when living under spars,
Boldly then, they stood the worst, in peace, or war convoys,
Nothing less would one expect - from Vindicatrix boys.