THE NEWFY

All Naval ships have had their time
But there’s one in particular that’s a ship of the line
For most ships in their day have a story to tell
But for some all that’s left is their name on a bell

When you think of the ships who’ve been launched from our shores
Full of Rum, Butter, pork, Tepol, Slops and short stores
There’s been thousands of names, least but few, most forgotten
Either Sunk burnt or scuttled, all now lying rotten

There’s no ship that’s been built who’s slipped out on a tide
That can boast quite so much, nor fill men with such pride
When this Colony class Cruiser, with its Blue Jacket Band
Took her name on the slip-way, from St Johns Newfoundland

41 was the date of her memorable launch
One more ship to replace, shipping losses to staunch
She’d a long way to go to resemble a ship
Twelve short months fitting out, they would have to be quick

But those men in the yard were all full of stout heart
Like the shipwrights whose skills played a very large part
Put those skills, dedication, and God’s speed in that ship
Then turned out for the launch with a proud Hip! Hip! Hip

As she slid down the grease, the World was at war
For No one could tell her, just what was in store
Heavy bombing in London, took its toll at the time
As this elegant Cruiser set forth in her prime

Then at last came the day she had something to do
Join the 10th cruiser squadron, must work up the crew
It’s surprising how fast a new crew find their feet
Grafting hard night & day, to join the Home fleet

But With her crew settled in nicely honed into shape
Nearly 900 men, time for friendships to make
Such a powerful force makes easy the goal
When the heart of a ship is really its soul

T’was celebrations all-round, and the day they could brag
Their Lords at the Admiralty had made her a flag
Apprehension was clear when sealed orders revealed
Not Home waters for them, but further afield

Without further delay she set course for the Med
Most full of relief, and some full of dread
She was sent, as you’ll see to that hot boiling cauldron
To the 15th as flag of a fine cruiser squadron

Yes time passes slowly when cruising at sea
But disaster it struck during late 43
An explosion! Steel rending, the fire did it burn
Some Italian Sub had torpedoed her stern

Thank her crew highly trained, kept their heads did not falter
Needing temporary repairs she limped back to Malta
With all action suspended her time will come later
So give credit where due, to her skipper Bill Slater

With her rudder destroyed it seamed helpless to all
She’d both engines intact, so she started to crawl
It took time for the Captain to find the right knack
Just like three paces forwards, and one going back

But she made it to Boston, Massachusetts the States
Where they rebuilt her stern by fitting new plates
After eight months in dock, work was finished as planned
Looking trim she set sail for St Johns Newfoundland

There a friendship was born by her crew then unknown
And remains till this day, years later back home
`Then all gifts they received were stowed well away
As she eased from the harbour, back to the affray

Now the war back in Europe saw defeat of that beast
So the Newfy set course and headed out East
She sailed out of the cold and into the heat
No finer a ship joined that Far-Eastern Fleet

Her bombardments off of Wewak and Truc Island too
Saw her triple gun broadside send shells overdue
While supporting the landing of the Australian 6th
Helping capture the airfield, and give chase to the Nips

As momentum moved forward there was need of some luck
Air strikes by the task force overrun them at Truc
A regrouping was made, now to follow the plan
To pr-empt a strike on the mainland Japan

Operations now planned, Anglo-American style
Helping carrier based planes fly non-stop all the while
Give the enemy on land a taste of their own
Each day nearer victory, each day nearer home

While bombardments and sorties would flatten and raise
Saw the Newfy at sea for some 52 days
It was then came the epoch, the time of the bomb
Both Hiroshima, Nagasaki, from this planet had gone

This momentous force when it struck bore no splendour
As it signalled the end, now came the surrender
With a gathering of ships, which at anchor now lay
All sub-dued and yet buzzing, in Tokyo bay

When assembled to sign on the US Missouri
The crew of the Newfy could rejoice in the glory
Men present that day witnessed life being born
After man in his greed saw the world nearly torn

What a sigh of relief during late 45
Every man said a prayer for being alive
But there’s work to be done, and it wasn’t a chore
With the task of re-patriating British prisoners of war

Now hostilities had ceased so the Newfy took stock
It was back to old England, spend time in some dock
Miles 48,000 she’d steamed since her launch
5 Continents they’d covered, quite a record to staunch

With her four-year war record she had set quite a feat
Now a rest she enjoyed laid up in reserve fleet
But it didn’t last long, at her anchor chains straining
She set out her stall to give Stokers some training

But the oceans they beckoned and she heard their loud call
Big re-fit, new commission and off to the ball
Her posting was obvious; she new home waters the least
It was back to her stamping ground, that station out east

But 54 come the April she was there on the scene
As the first choice to escort Her Majesty the Queen
SS Gothic from Aussie from a tour no doubt laden
With gifts of goodwill, but only to Aden

But by June of that year she was back with the gang
Shelling terrorists in Malay, just north of Penang
Can you think of a ship with so much on her plate?
Now it’s off to Bombay, for an official date

Back to Pompey she steamed where she berthed for some while
Wouldn’t you if you’d steamed 60 thousand odd miles
A short stay it turned out, re-commission at least
Then off like a shot to that station out east

She was more than a ship to the men who were crew
There was empathy and love; it shone like fresh dew
She’d the air of respect and a grace quite her own
And a spirit to cherish; now those men are back home

In taking time for thoughtful reflection
It became very clear why there is a connexion
For to know the history & to understand
How a ship became linked to St John’s Newfoundland

This clarity shows how just one word describes it
For along with her soul the Newfie had spirit
Two thirds of a Regiment just don’t disappear
Leaving nothing but emptiness, sadness & tears

They were willing & keen & determined to fight
For freedom and justice and all that was right
Yes they were young, but their spirit was strong
Which embraced this fine ship like it’s done in St John

Newfoundlanders all know, about Beaumont-Hamel
A village of beauty where so many fell
From this madness and mayhem their spirit arose
And is felt through the province wherever one goes

Now we all know why this ship is revered
In all her engagements the opponents were feared
For the spirit to win was very profound
It’s the legacy that came from St Johns Newfoundland

By Shipmate Malcolm Brown