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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Here we are in the south of England watching the build-up of a great nautical fleet of sailing ships and waiting for it to set sail. And here's someone passing us who seems to know the state of the art. What did he say? He said they're sailing at dawn.

Picture the scene . . .

We are standing on the top of Plymouth Hoe in the days of sailing ships, watching the scene unfolding below. Here, we have been observing wooden ships large and small assembling in the Sound for days for what is surely going to be a great occasion. The assembling of a great fleet. An event which has been a sight to behold from Elizabethan to Victorian times. For several weeks ships have been arriving in the harbour. The smaller long boats with their oarsmen and pinnaces with their oars and sails have been ferrying stores and armaments from shore to ship. Yesterday these boats were dismantled and stowed aboard the larger vessels (or often towed behind the parent vessel with a painter for prompt utilization) for use at sea or entering shallow coastal waters, and navigating rivers in other lands.

Tomorrow, they say, the wind and tides should be suitable for putting out to sea; so fingers crossed, we may see some action if we're up early enough.

The MusicSmiles imaginary fleet on this occasion (not totally untypical) consists of large and small vessels: including some 50 ships of the line - the large battle ships; several sleek and flexible fast escorts - frigates, many smaller warships and armed merchant vessels; and other craft for taking small parties and messages between the larger warships. Probably as many as 100 'sail' in all. All combine to make the fleet; subject to the command of an Admiral who will lead the line in his flagship, with maybe a Vice-Admiral or Rear-Admiral in a second flagship bringing up the rear as second in command. Each vessel has a Captain in command (including the admirals' flagships) and some 500 officers and men who sail the ship and man the guns. The fleet may also be subdivided, each squadron responsible to a Commodore. All this diverse shipping needs firm rules and control mechanisms in order for it to function as a fighting unit at sea.

In those early days of sail there was no radio, there were no mobiles and Morse signals, and Semaphore was still over the horizon, so the signals officer aboard each ship needed keen eyes and ears and competent assistants to watch and listen for the instructions handed down and across the fleet. These signals consisted mainly of colour-coded pennants hoisted on the tallest masts, and canon fire. Time aboard each ship was signalled using bells. And the efficiency of the fleet (indeed its very survival) depended on these signalling systems.

The Admiral's main objective was to get an agreed order established so the the battle ships sailing in line could train their guns (as many as 60 or 70 per ship) on the enemy - another fleet, a town or a harbour, or fortress. A considerable armament which established the Royal Navy as the world's premier fighting force. No mean feat, as it all relied on the expertise of Admirals, Captains and sailors to read and use the power (and exigencies) of wind and wave. And their ability to communicate with one another. To use initiative, to show bravery, but above all to obey orders.

Right! The hour of dawn is approaching, The sailors (volunteers and pressed) have all left their wives and girlfriends (in tears?) and boarded their ships. Was that a canon firing? I can only just make out the details as the sun rises. But, yes there is movement below - sails are unfurling and there is a sudden cacophony of sound: drums are beating, orders are being shouted, whips are cracking and the sailors are singing their shanties and groaning with pain, as they pull on the heavy ropes and turn the huge winches. 

What a demonstration of beauty organised for power! The ships are on the move. The fleet is > > >

Sailing at Dawn¹
(3 bar intro)

Solo:  One by one the pale stars die before the day now,
One by one the great ships are stirring from their sleep,
Cables all are rumbling, anchors all away now,
Now the fleet's a fleet again, glid . . .ing towards the deep.
(2 bar interlude)

SATB Chorus:  Now the fleet's a fleet again, bound upon the old ways,
Splendour of the past comes shining in the spray . .;
Admirals of old time, bring us on the bold ways!
Souls of all the sea dogs,
Solo and chorus:  Lead the line, Lead the line,
Lead the line today.
(2 bar interlude)

Solo:  Far away behind us town and tower are dwindling,
Home becomes a fair dream faded long ago;
 Infinitely glorious the height of heaven is kindling,
In . .finitely desolate    the shore . .less sea below.
(2 bar interlude)

SATB Chorus:  Now the fleet's a fleet again, bound upon the old ways,
Splendour of the past comes shining in the spray . .;
Admirals of old time, bring us on the bold ways!
Souls of all the sea dogs,
Solo and chorus:  Lead the line, Lead the line,
Lead the line today.
(2 bar interlude)

Solo:  Once again with proud hearts we make the bold surrender,
Once again with high hearts serve the age to be,
Not for us the warm life of Earth, secure and tender,
Ours th'eternal wandering and war . . fare of the sea . . .
(2 bar interlude)

SATB Chorus:  Now the fleet's a fleet again, bound upon the old ways,
Splendour of the past comes shining in the spray . .;
Admirals of old time, bring us on the bold ways!
Souls . . . of all the sea . . dogs . .,
Solo and chorus:  Lead the line, Lead the line,
Lead the line, Lead the line today.
Lead the line, . . Lead the line,
Lead the line, Lead the line,
Lead the line today . . . .
(2 bar fading finale)

Marvellous isn't it? Do you identify the imagery? Like to sing it again?

Footnote 1:    Songs of the Fleet include:

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