The Helmsman - Barrie McGill

The Helmsman - Barrie McGill

 

The man behind the beard was once The Helmsman

Who travelled the Atlantic 21

They turned it out in April Seventy-seven

For rescuing an injured mother's son

Three young men had been climbing Wylfa Headland

When one of them fell desperately down

Beating on the rocks - to land in water

Unconscious - he was lying there face-down

Two young men - white-faced - slid down to save him

Tried to haul him to the headland top

Brought him to a ledge - the rescue gave him

Clearance from the tide - below the drop

One young man swam on to find him help then

They turned out the Atlantic 21

With Michael - Noel - and Barrie as the helmsman

Hurrying to see what could be done

The boy was wedged - they called the helicopter

The Coastguard abseiled down along a line

He and Noel then hauled him up by stretcher

And sent him off by air The Grand Design

is "Do what you can do from in the lifeboat

Call for help if you can not succeed

Find the best way forward - from the lifeboat

Work with anyone when there is need"

The man behind the beard is still The Helmsman

Who travelled the Atlantic 21

Now he makes decisions at The Station

And raises help for every mother's son

He keeps the volunteers in shape for rescue

He keeps the money coming in as well

He frets and worries if they're late in from rescue

The Helmsman still works hard - as you can tell

© 2002 charlottepetersrock@tiscali.co.uk  - 0156 572 2738 - http://charlottepetersrock.blogspot.com/