In the need of guiding boats,
Going southerly from the Tyne -
Pilots guided such vessels
To disembark at Sunderland -
As stated by regulations.
One South Shield Pilot -
Name of Ralph Phillips -
Took charge of a steamer
From Norway - it was dusk
As the pilot cutter,
Ended its days work -
The pilot arrived at the Wear.
Phillips had the option
To stay with the voyage,
Or take a steamer's boat
To row ashore - Agreeable
To the latter the Captain
Had the rowing boat lowered.
Ralph Phillips started to row,
Ralph Phillips started to row,
As the coast dipped darker,
With slow shadows of night –
He drifted in the calmness
Of a lone voyage, when shots
Hissed about - hitting the water -
By reaction he stopped rowing,
Dropping to the boat's bottom.
A military presence on the beach,
Had observed the man, to assume
He was an enemy agent - setting
Out to land ashore - knowing
Of the dangers of being shot,
He called out - holding up hands,
Declaring himself a friend not foe.
Being heard, the shots ceased.
When on reaching the shore,
The pilot was quickly surrounded
By guards manning the beach -
He was questioned and answers
Examined - before allowed home
To Sunderland – with only eight
Shots fired, the undamaged boat,
Would be returned to the steamer
Upon its next arrival on the Tyne.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1914. Pilot’s Adventure -
Fired on From Shore – Guard that Took no Chances. The Daily Telegraph,
[online] 31 Dec. p.6. Col.6. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11316461/Daily-Telegraph-December-31-1914.html
[Accessed: 31 December 2014].
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