Liverpool

A short business trip to Liverpool prompted a number of different thoughts, all linked by the view from my hotel bedroom.  First, I could see the Liver Building, with its rooftop birds, obscure of species to this ornithologist at least.

I could also see the Isle of Man ferry terminal, with it’s endearingly old fashioned name, and the proud three legged symbol -  quocunque jeceris stabit.  And, of course, I could see the boats plying the three legged route across the Mersey , the iconic but apparently dying Ferry Across the Mersey - someone should write a song about that one day.

Finally, across the Mersey is Birkenhead.  To me, this means F E Smith and the tragic ship Birkenhead.   F E Smith was the Earl of Birkenhead, about whom a hundred anecdotes are told and retold.  There was the judge who complained to Smith that, after a long speech, he was no wiser - to which Smith replied “No, my lord, but much better informed”!  He was a great man, but prone to exaggeration, as when he remarked that  the Welsh Disestablishment Bill was one which had "shocked the conscience of every Christian community in Europe", a comment which G K Chesterton ridiculed in his rumbustious poem Antichrist (GKC, by the way, was a committed and passionate Roman Catholic):

ARE they clinging to their crosses,

                                F.E. Smith,

Where the Breton boat-fleet tosses,

                                Are they, Smith?

Do they, fasting, trembling, bleeding,

Wait the news from this our city?

….

For your God or dream or devil

You will answer, not to me.

Talk about the pews and steeples

And the Cash that goes therewith!

But the souls of Christian peoples . . .

                                Chuck it, Smith!

The HMS Birkenhead was sunk in 1852 off South Africa , and there were not enough lifeboats; this is the occasion which the legendary order “Women and children first” was first given; a contingent of Royal Marines was on board, and went to their drownings standing to attention - which Kipling referred to his manic poem about the Marines, Soldier and Sailor too!

To take your chance in the thick of a rush, with firing all about,
Is nothing so bad when you've cover to hand, and leave and liking to shout;
But to stand and be still to the Birkenhead drill
Is a damn tough bullet to chew,
And they done it, the Jollies - Her Majesty's Jollies -
Soldier and sailor too!

Comments

[Mac Keylogger]

First time here, happy. It’s always my pleasure to read this type of stuff. Thank you for taking the time to share with it, and this blog is very nice. I’m still waiting for more interesting thoughts from your side in your next post. Have a nice day!

[Harriet]

I live near Liverpool -- was there yesterday in fact. It is a great city, with wonderful architecture -- much underrated, I think.

[Nan]

I've always loved the Gerry Marsden song. It brings a lump to the throat of one who has never even been there. There's just something about his voice.

[Peter the Flautist]

The College of Arms has the Liver Bird as a Cormorant I believe.

[herschelian]

I am from S.A. and have stayed in Arniston (near Cape Agulhas) which is where the Birkenhead went down, the hotel there has various old artifacts from the ship which eventually washed ashore.

[Karen]

Thankyou for the three legs!
With reference to losses at sea, as I'm sure you know, the founder of the RNLI was a Manx resident, Sir William Hillary.