Og the One Eyed Mariner

​

The wind filled the sails of HMS Rover

As she sped through the Chanel, south west of Dover

Og stood on deck, telescope in hand

OG! Shouted the captain, can you see land

​

Og raised the scope to his one good eye

But all he could see were gulls, sea and sky

Not wishing to reveal his impairment of sight

Og shouted, STARBORD SIDE, ISLE OF WIGHT

​

The captain, confused, ordered the helm turn around

That’s when the His Majesty’s ship ran aground

Og slipped and stumbled, fell over the side

And got washed down to Southsea on the incoming tide

​

Og’s career in the Royal Navy ended shortly after this unhappy incident.

His grandson, however, had a more successful time with the White Star line, eventually working his way up to the post of lookout on the Titanic.