The Bo`sun

The Bosun’s legs were damaged, swollen black and blue,
Chief Steward quite bewildered not sure what to do,
Consulting then the Captain they studied up the guide,
(A special one for Master’s to take advice inside).

This Captain’s Medical Guide covers all the ills,
Tho’ instructions are ambiguous for serving drugs and pills,
There’s cures for mental illness, scalds and having babies,
Plus fevers, burns, athlete’s foot, drugs, alcohol and rabies.

The Captain was quite practised, his duty wouldn’t shun
Reckoned he had it cracked it, knew what must be done
They had sailed from Argentina the weather hot and red,
Said the right thing for the Bo’sun was cool him in his bed.

Stack his legs with frozen cubes, were orders to his crew
All hands mostly happy now, knowing what to do,
The Chippy made a special box to fit this man precise
Shoved the Bo’sun’s limbs in, then filled it up with ice.

The Chief worked hard with spanners to keep the fridges purring
Night and day maintained away – to make the frost occurring
Steaming through the tropics they looked after him with pride
Chilling down the Bos'un on his scorching ocean ride.

He lay there in a stupor as he followed this routine
Of frequent shots of rum while piling ice between
They finally reached Cape Verde and put the man ashore
Bunkered then with booze and fuel, sailed again once more.

Most mariners are hardy – go through life with ease
Not troubled much with ailments or tropical disease
Till the ship received a cable saying “ Bad news I’m afraid
Your man expired of frostbite……… when ninety in the shade”.

J. Earl