"SEA FEVER" by John Masefield I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking. I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over. |
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Little did I realize when a teacher had me memorize "SEA FEVER" as a youngster that in a few years I would have my "Tall Ship". Before my 18th birthday I went on board the "Willie Bee" as her crew fondly called her. The "Willie Bee" was a tall ship and a fine ship. She had great lines and all the equipment to do her job magnificently, whether it was protecting the carriers or shore bombardment. In the far reaches of the South Pacific during WWII she became known as "The Lethal Lady". The Willie Bee operated in the South China Sea, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and against the Japanese Mainland to mention just a few places. She received four battle stars for these engagements. In 1946 after the War the WB returned to the East Coast for some refitting and a new young crew. The WB's next adventure was a Goodwill Tour of Nothern Europe. She visited England, France, Scotland, Belgium and Norway. Upon returning home in 1947 our "Lady" was mothballed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she stayed until 1972. The WB was the last Light Cruiser on the Navy List when she was struck. Subjected to underwater explosive tests in May 1972 she is now part of a reef off the Florida Keys. The WB is home to a large variety of fish and is visited frequently by many fishermen and Divers. These Divers continuously place pictures of her on their Web Sites. Above all the "Willie Bee" is still in the hearts and minds of her crew who have Reunions every year. These "Old Salts" get together and tell sea stories about their "Lethal Lady". Your Web Master, ALC |
The following are pictures of the "Willie Bee" being fitted out at Camden, New Jersey
