Old Poetry Old Poetry Poetry • Poets • Essays • Forums •

The ‘Sirius’ Anchor


You lie at peace within a city square,
Who sailed wide seas with Phillip to our shoe;
While tides of Sydney’s commerce round you roar,
You tell old tales to those who linger there!
You saw our birth! See now a city fair-
The gateway of Australian’s golden shore
Where plains and stream and hill for evermore
Bring tribute to the brave who  dream and dare,

You breath of stern adventure: Keep us true
To all that Phillip dreamed! Make sarong our hand
In peace and war, and our young hearts endue
With courage firm as his-so shall we stand,
Anchored in Liberty’s high retinue,
Amid the strength and beauty of our land!

Notes

HMS ‘Sirius’ convoyed the first fleet to Australia 1787-88 the anchor, recovered from the wreck of the vessel and after many years in the sea, stands as a monument in Macquarie Place, Sydney, Australia)
A cast iron bow anchor from HMS Sirius, 1780 - 1790 which escorted the first fleet. Anchor received from Norfolk Island after ‘Sirius’ wrecked in 1790, erected 1907. Anchor is embedded on a rock faced quartzite capping sitting on massive sandstone pedestal. An engraved bronze band interprets its history.

Leave a guest comment (subject to review)

    : Comment:

    Name: (required)
    Email: (required, hidden from spam)