WINGS AND LIMBS

WINGS AND LIMBS

Down on the orlop deck

Of the ‘Old Billy Ruffian’.

Lays the dreaded wings and limbs tub.

There’s your ‘Doxy’ of Devon,

Who you said came from heaven.

She didn’t raise your health in the pub,

 When losing your arms to the wings and limb tub.

When drunk after Nelsons visit of 97.

Now sweet ‘Pol’ of Pompey,

 You never again did get to see,

As, no more dancing a hornpipe in the club

 You lost your leg to the wings and limbs tub.

After battling ‘La Guerriere’ in ’03.

Now lovely ‘Nel’ of Newquay,

To your heart she had the key.

You only got a peck, and sympathetic rub,

When losing your great gun, to the wings and limbs tub.

After winning the battle of Trafalgar next to ‘Victory’.

Historical note

HMS Bellerophon (laid down 1786, broken up 1836) was known as the ‘Billy Ruffian’ by her crew. She featured in most the major sea battles during the Napoleonic wars. She was one of the most famous ships of her time and songs were sung of her exploits. The ‘wings and limbs tub’ was a large half barrel kept by the side of the surgeons table. During battle, the horrific injuries from ball and splinters meant limbs were sawn off at an alarming rate. The limbs were dropped into the sea when the tub was full by the ‘loblolly boys’ (surgeon’s assistants). On a final point, the sailors did indeed have a ‘wife in every port’, this was to try and procure shore leave, a privilege only usually given to trusted or married seamen.

Phil Hall April 2013