Pilot Verses

Pilot verses were sailing directions sung to popular tunes. This was a handy way to memorise crucial navigation information. There's a bunch of Newfoundland ones recorded in the Admiralty Court, in London.

Wadham's Song

        From Bonavista to the Cabot Isles
             the course is north full forty miles
        When you must steer away nor'-east
             till Cape Freals, Gull Isle, bears west-nor'-west
        Then nor'-nor'-west thirty-three miles
             three leagues off shore lies Wadham's Isles,
        Where of a rock you must beware
             two miles sou'-sou'-east from off Isle bears.

If you know any pilot verses, I'm interested in adding them to this collection. Send me email if you've got one to contribute.

Copyright 1999, by T. P. O'Halloran and Fly By Night Publishing Corporation