THE EAGLE AND THE BEAGLE

'Twas nineteen and seventy on March fifteen,
The good ship Denver was out at sea.
On course 202, the line we would cross,
When this startling news came from our boss,
The Eagle's been hi-jacked, better go see,
So we came about to 313.
Twenty-two hours the trip would take,
For 21.5 was all we could make.
'Twas 0730 when we got there,
And the cutter Mellon had signals in the air.
She said we'll fill you in on what we know,
But we really don't have very much info.
Two armed seamen have charge of the ship,
And they said they'll blow her up if we make a slip.
So we dropped our anchor and set the watch,
The scene was bad and one we didn't want to botch.
We were anchored there for only a day or two,
When the word was passed that pleased the crew.
We've just been released, we're needed no more,
So we headed once again for Singapore.
The morale was high and the shellbacks laid low,
For it was pollywog's day, and they ruled down below.
A queen was chosen, Davy Jones was aboard,
And he said we'll show this slimy horde.
Twelve hours from now and we'll cross the line.
And then, trusty shellbacks, we'll have a good time.
But again a message came that brought us about,
For the good cutter Mellon's time had run out.
So on course 347 we headed for Eagle,
"What the hell's going on" asked the Head Beagle.
At 2330 on scene we arrived,
And a sitrep went out to our boss, CTG 35.
The Mellon departed - we remained and waited,
For the release of the Eagle was anticipated.
"The Captain's at the capital", the Eagle said,
"we've dropped our anchor, out engines are dead."
"We've lost our lifeboats and 24 of our crew."
"We're keeping a guard on CW and this circuit too."
Every six hours a sitrep is sent,
Keeping 35 informed of Eagle's intent.
Five days, we were told, seven at most;
Now it is the eighth and we're still at our post.
Then yesterday evening a change came about,
The Eagle was moving, but only a short way.
Then anchored again and is still there today.
We called her on CW and 2738 too,
But she doesn't answer or she doesn't come through.
Early this morning some press was received,
Sayng the Eagle will never get to leave.
So Denver still waits, and sitreps we send,
The latest one reads - "Won't this damn thing ever
end ???????????"

Author: Unknown staff member of COMPHIBRON SEVEN

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Columbia_Eagle_incident

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