Original Nautical Poetry: The Mariner's Question

This is a poem that I wrote on May 3rd, 2000. I
wrote it after reading an article in the magazine PROFESSIONAL MARINER. The article was called "THE BILGE PUMP : A LIFESAVER".

The similarity between a bilge pump and the Savior came to me in the words of this poem.

The Mariner's Question

By J. Brad Chapman

What's the gear or rigging, that a grand old sailing ship,

would have as thee most useful thing aboard?

Ponder now the question, 'bout the mighty sailing ships,

until the answer's thoroughly explored.

Would it be the glamorous sail, stretched tightly in the wind?

For without sail there'd be no forward motion.

Or would it be the helm, standing stately on the bridge?

For lacking wheel she'd roam all ore' the ocean.

Could it be the sheets that link the sailor to the sail,

to keep the tell-tails smooth and none a-flutter?

Or would it be the rigid mast that holds the billowed sail,

or be the ship's direction-giving rudder?

All these are important, and they serve their usefulness,

when she's sailing fast and steady in the groove.

But other circumstances make us see things differently,

and in ways we've never known our hearts are moved.

You see, when a sailing ship, in heavy seas and wind,

hits rocky shoal with screech and ghastly thump,

the most important items go from rudder, sheet, and sail,

and become the meek and lowly ol' bilge pump.

Sinking men in sinking ships will cry and curse and plead,

to keep them from the bottom of the sea.

But when they finally see beyond the glamor of the sail,

the pump becomes their life and sweat the fee.

The Savior's like a bilge pump, for blinded eyes will finally see, 

that He, too, is the only one that saves.

But we supply the muscle power to work the saving pump

to show faith in what the Savior freely gave.

So if you hit the rocky shoal out on the sea of life,

and foundering, cry out with fear and rage.

Think not the glamour of the sails, but lowly ol' bilge pump,

whose one and only purpose is to save.

So weigh the heavy anchor and with compass set your course,

with sheet in hand trim true the mighty sail.

Remember friend; sometime, somewhere, we'll hit the treacherous shoals,

but the Savior's life was spent to help us bail!

Sailing Terms

Sheet: In sailing, a sheet is a line used to control the movable corner of a sail.

To Bail: To remove water from a boat by hand, bucket, or pump.

Tell-tale: a piece of yarn or fabric attached to a sail. It is used as a guide to trim the sail. If the tell-tale is still, the air movement across the sail is efficient. If it flutters, it is not efficient. 

A photo of a tell-tale.

To Founder: to sink.

Original Music and Photography: The Unequivocal Beauty Of A Tidepool

Press here to go to youtube:
https://youtu.be/Tk42bCY24pk

The photographs were taken in Sitka, Alaska in August of 2011, at a place on Japonski Island called John Brown's beach.
The music was composed sometime in the 70's, and was originally entitled,  "Ocean Spray."
Photos and Music by J. Brad Chapman.
jbradchap@gmail.com

The photos were taken on a very rare sunny day. Days like this made the multitude of gloomy, gray, drizzly days worth it.

Our family lived in Sitka, Alaska from April of 1995 to August of 2007.

Original Nautical Poem: Watertight Integrity

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Watertight Integrity

One day as I prepared to take passengers out on a whale watching excursion in Sitka Sound in Alaska, I opened the bow void hatch as part of a routine checklist and was surprised to see that the void was filled with 50 or 60 gallons of sea water. After pumping the seawater out of the void I was happy to see that the vessel handled much better. Water had been leaking in from the rain because of a worn out seal. Undetected sea water in a void is a very serious thing and can lead to disaster. I checked my voids more often after that incident.

Several years ago I was checking the Coast Guard safety alerts and I found the following.

Right click on the article for easier reading.

Several years ago on a christian radio station I heard a Pastor talk about Watertight Integrity and personal integrity and it really impressed me. The following poem was born from that radio program but quite a few years later.

Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord:

but they that deal truly are his delight.

May we keep our hatches dogged tight and our bilges dry is my prayer . . . . .

Original Nautical Poem: The Sea And The Soul

By J. Brad Chapman

2^nd Nephi 18:21   .  .  .  and after I had prayed, the wind did cease,

and the storms did cease, and there was a great calm  .  .  .

The Mariner's Dictionary - By Gershom Bradford

Sea Calming Oil:

Oil used for spreading on the sea in heavy weather to prevent or reduce the breaking crests. Vegetable or fish oils are better than mineral oils for this purpose. It was used as early as the 5^th century.

Oil Bag:

A contrivance from which oil is allowed to drip slowly and spread on the surface of the sea in order to form a slick and reduce the seas.

When the sailors of old plied the wide, open deep,

in tempests of trea-cherous degree,

with fierce rage in the wind, and dark fear in their hearts,

they sought ways to calm the rough sea.

It’s the spindrift that blows from the crest of the waves

that blinds eyes, causing brave men to fret,

and the breakers that roll o’er the storm-tossed deck,

washing men overboard - that’s the threat.

So,  .  . with a bag poked with holes, filled with oil that drips,

slowly coating the face of the sea,

it then causes the breakers and mist to subside

it affects surface tension, you see.

Now men through the ages have diligently sought

to quell the harsh seas of this life,

by reducing the sadness, the troubles, the hate,

the evil; so pervasive and rife.

Turbulent, buffeted, tormented, distressed,

these are words of the sea and the soul.

but there‘s a solution, like spreading the oil,

that helps soothe, comfort and console.

Prayer is the tool, that God-fearing men use,

to put joy and peace in their lives,

like sea-calming oil, which coating the soul

 lessens the hardships and strife.

          The effectual prayer of a righteous man, (James 5:16)

availeth much, so you see,

a just, upright life, that is moral and pure,

           is a heart-felt prayer’s best guarantee.  (D & C  100:15)

So, .  .  . kneel down on the deck, with firm grip on the rail,

 head bowed in meek humility,

remember that oft, life’s sore tempests and trials,

              prove our worthiness and sanctity.  (D & C 101:4)

          Yes, the prayer of the righteous, is His delight, (Proverbs 15:8)

 so scanning this life’s ruckus sea,

pray to the Father with real intent,

            you’ll “endure well”  storms  He may decree.  (D & C 121:8)

(Psalms 107: 23-31)

             He’ll strengthen you, guide you, and cause you to stand,  

 on the voyages you choose to embark,

He’ll steer you ‘round obstacles and treacherous shoals,

if to His charts (the scriptures) you’ll hark.

So,  .  .  . with stout-hearted  Amen, resolve now to “sail on”,

with prayer - like oil, smoothing the sea.

Square your shoulders to windward, like a brave mariner:

      Destination? . . . Eternity!  (Moses 1:39)