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The Loss of the Andrea Gail

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The Fishermen's Memorial In Gloucester, Massachusetts

The Captain and crew of the Andrea Gail

Frank (Billy )Tyne ,Captain

Michael Moran

Dale Murphy

Alfred Pierre

Robert Shatford

David Sullivan.

(The Flemish Cap is an area of shallow waters 350 miles east of Newfoundland and a popular area for Atlantic fishermen.)

(The Grand Banks is south east of the Flemish Cap and south of Newfoundland and is one of the richest fishing grounds in the world)

(Sable Island is a small sandy island situated off the Canadian coast 190 miles southeast of Nova Scotia.)

(Many books have been written about the Loss of the Andrea Gail and a movie was produced starring George Clooney called 'The Perfect Storm'.)

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters: These see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep. From the 107th psalm It's been the hub of the fishing industry for nearly four hundred years And has witnessed heartbreaking tragedies that have ended in tears The city of Gloucester in Massachusetts on Americas east coast Is home to the Atlantic's brave fishermen that's no idle boast. In nineteen ninety one on the twentieth day of September A day families of a trawler crew will always remember The captain and crew of the fishing boat the Andrea Gail For the Grand Banks of Newfoundland on that day had set sail. They arrived at the Grand Banks but their catch was quite low So the boats captain decided to the Flemish Cap they'd go An area that they hoped would reap them great rewards The plan was to fill the holds quickly, then set course homewards. The ice machine had broken down so now they had to abort Their catch would have been spoilt, so they headed back to port Meanwhile some high and low pressure was building up at sea But something else was building up that they didn't foresee. Another fishing boat made contact and tried to give warning But contact was lost as a giant storm was now forming Winds built up and got stronger then the storm unleashed hell The roar of those strong winds was sounding the death knell. Conditions slowed the boat down it couldn't go any faster They were oblivious to the fact that they were heading for disaster An experienced crew in bad weather; but this wasn't the norm Hurricane Grace mixed with two fronts that created the storm. There was seventy mile an hour winds and hundred foot waves That sent the Andrea Gail crew to their watery graves The boats owner was concerned that she was long overdue He contacted the U.S. Coastguard out of concern for her crew. On Sable Island the emergency beacon was found washed ashore Along with some other debris but boat and crew were no more The city of Gloucester had suffered yet another tragedy With the loss of the boats crew who'd perished out at sea. No one knows what really happened and many theories abound And theories they remain because the boat was never found The most popular were the holds were overladen with their catch And sea water fouled the engines getting in through the hatch. Fishing has been an occupation since sixteen twenty three When Cape Ann in Massachusetts Bay became a colony And since then ten thousand have been lost out at sea That's why the city of Gloucester is no stranger to tragedy. Written 3rd October 2020. Your Personal Favourite Poetry Contest Sponsored by L.Milton Hankins

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Suzanne Delaney

Date: 12/29/2021 6:55:00 AM

Must have been a terrifying storm. Sometimes our luck just runs out. So sad for those left behind . Congratulations on this well written poem. Best, SuZ

Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/29/2021 8:32:00 AM

Thank you very much Suzanne, im happy that you enjoyed it. Hope you're keeping well and had a lovely Christmas. Hoping 2022 brings you good health and happiness. Tom

Indiana Shaw

Date: 8/9/2021 7:53:00 AM

A Perfect Storm . . . : (

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/9/2021 8:41:00 AM

Thank you Indiana, from a weathermans point of view it certainly was. A great film that was and it inspired me to write it. Tom

John Watt

Date: 8/5/2021 10:23:00 AM

Tom, you excel at telling a story from history in poetic form. Congrats for your #1 win with this masterpiece account of a tragic event. Hope all is well ~ John

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/5/2021 12:16:00 PM

Thank you very much for your congrats John, its my favourite form of poetry, telling a historic event in rhyme, I challenged myself a few years back to write one and have never looked back, up to my neck at the moment converting the kitchen, Id rather be writing, retirement isnt what I thought it would be lol. Hope you too are keeping well too. Tom

Joanna Daniel

Date: 8/4/2021 8:50:00 PM

A wonderful trophy win to the greatest storyteller, brilliant, Tom, congratulations:)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/5/2021 12:47:00 AM

Thank you very much Jo, After seeing the movie The Perfect Storm I wanted to honour those brave men in some way. Tom

Beata Agustin

Date: 8/4/2021 6:39:00 PM

Thanks for sharing this. Congrats! God bless you.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/5/2021 12:46:00 AM

Thank you very much Beata, it was a terrible tragedy.for those poor souls, the cruel sea showed no mercy. Tom

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 8/4/2021 2:45:00 PM

Wonderful write! I love it. Congrats on your top win and God bless you always, Love, Gina

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/4/2021 5:31:00 PM

Thank you very much Gina, im pleased that you enjoyed it.. Tom

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 8/4/2021 2:29:00 PM

Back with Congratulations on this win. A great write/information and picture. Have a great/blessed day................

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/4/2021 2:32:00 PM

Thank you very much for your return visit and congrats Paula, I hope you too have a lovely day. Tom

Garima Dubey

Date: 8/4/2021 12:50:00 PM

Your storytelling through a poem is impeccable and very informative as well.Glad I read it. Very well written. Congratulations on you win.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/4/2021 1:13:00 PM

Thank you very much Garima, im happy that you liked it, I love to combine history with poetry. Tom

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 8/4/2021 11:03:00 AM

A well earned top pot win with your story/poem about the loss of the Andrea Gail Tom, most interesting and informative. Well done! ~ Belle

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/4/2021 1:07:00 PM

Thank you very much Belle, Ive seen the film a few times and always wanted to tell their story in a poem. Tom

Jan Allison

Date: 8/4/2021 11:00:00 AM

you are a wonderful story teller Tom and do so much research for your historical tales, so glad to see this with a trophy placement, many congrats:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/4/2021 1:03:00 PM

Thank you very much Jan, they made a film about it called The Perfect Storm telling of the tragedy and I wanted to honour the crew who lost their lives in that terrible tragedy. Tom

Sam Kauffman

Date: 8/4/2021 10:39:00 AM

Amazing Tom from the pen of history's master storyteller in rhythm and rhyme! Wonderful to see this seafaring gem garner another win! Congratulations. Hope you are well. Over Fork Over!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/4/2021 10:58:00 AM

Thank you very much Sam, its a very tragic story and after seeing the movie I was determined to honour their memory with a poem. Tom

Susan Ashley

Date: 8/4/2021 10:27:00 AM

Dear Tom, it is a pleasure to return with my heartiest congratulations for your excellent trophy win in Milton's contest with this stunning and most worthy poem. Indeed, a well-deserved honor, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/4/2021 12:34:00 PM

I am well, thank you. Just very busy with home life and work these days. Stay safe, my friend:)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/4/2021 10:31:00 AM

Thank you very much for your return visit and congratulations Susan, Must admit I was surprised. I hope you are well. Tom

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/4/2021 10:17:00 AM

Hi Tom, Congratulations on your top win in the contest. Have a great day:-) Alexis

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/4/2021 10:21:00 AM

Thank you very much for your congratulations Alexis, no ones more surprised than me. Tom

L Milton Hankins

Date: 8/4/2021 9:00:00 AM

Congratulations, Tom, on receiving this top placement in my contest. Your poem rose head and shoulders over all the rest, and I am pleased that it is a Trophy winner! Fine writing!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/4/2021 10:19:00 AM

Thank you very much Milton, after seeing the movie a few years ago I was determined to write a poem about that awful tragedy that claimed the lives of those brave fishermen on board the Andrea Gail. Im happy that you enjoyed it. Thank you for my placement and also for sponsoring the contest. Tom

Gary Radice

Date: 10/25/2020 5:08:00 AM

This was a great read Tom. I say read but I found myself singing the words in my head..I see and read and hear it as a folk song / sea shanty of sorts. Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/25/2020 5:21:00 AM

Thank you very much Gary, im happy that you enjoyed it. I hadn't thought if it as a song, love stories of the sea though. Tom

Angela Crabtree

Date: 10/17/2020 8:12:00 PM

A great story put into rhyme, Tom. I didn't know too much about the Andrea Gail until I read this :) ~Angie

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/18/2020 1:48:00 AM

Thank you Angela, the tragic story has been written about and made into a movie. Tom

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 10/15/2020 4:09:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. This poem made her come to life.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/15/2020 4:58:00 AM

Thank you very much Caren, they are such brave fishermen and women who go out to sea never knowing if they'll see their homes and families again. Tom

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 10/14/2020 6:14:00 AM

Wow Tom. Such a tragedy and you have chillingly recounted it wonderfully here. Linda

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/14/2020 7:01:00 AM

Thank you very much Linda, I'd planned to write about that tragedy for some time after seeing the movie, I couldn't get it out of my mind. So tragic. Tom

Paul Callus

Date: 10/13/2020 12:40:00 PM

You recount this tragic episode extremely well, Tom. The sea can be a cruel master! Congratulations on your fine win. Regards // paul

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/13/2020 1:14:00 PM

Thank you very much Paul, I hope you are well. Tom

Lisa Brown

Date: 10/13/2020 9:06:00 AM

Well deserved :-)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/13/2020 9:16:00 AM

Lol, thanks again.

Lisa Brown

Date: 10/13/2020 9:02:00 AM

Congratulations on your win Tom :-)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/13/2020 9:16:00 AM

Thanks for your congrats Lisa. Tom

Arturo Michael

Date: 10/13/2020 8:32:00 AM

This is really good...You have that magic to tell a story...enjoyed every word of it...

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/13/2020 9:10:00 AM

Thank you Arturo, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. Tom

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 10/12/2020 10:21:00 AM

Wow, how wellyou describe the loss of the Andrea Gail, Tom. I have written on this topic in the past. The movie "The Perfect Storm" is among my favorites. And now I have a new favorite poem! I doubt the Andrea Gail will ever be found. The funeral for all of the men in the movie was heartbreaking, just like your poem. Excellent! Hugs, carolyn

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/12/2020 10:57:00 AM

Thank you very much Carolyn, for a long time now I wanted to compose a verse after seeing the movie a few years ago, its a heartbreaking story and even today men and women risk their lives when they go out to fish and that area around Gloucester has lost thousands to the sea, It's a brilliant movie only the other night I watched it on netflix. Im happy you enjoyed it. Tom

Hannington Mumo

Date: 10/11/2020 2:07:00 PM

An appreciably vast length of masterful poetic turns by a thoroughly practiced quill - an indubitable masterpiece on a rich, sweet-sad theme...all wistfully palatable, yet simultaneously doleful for the kinder-feeling peruser. You're such a demonstrably seasoned inditer, Daniel:-)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/11/2020 2:12:00 PM

Thank you very much Hannington, I know many prefer short poems but the only way to tell the story was with the amount of stanzas I used, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. Tom

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 10/11/2020 12:20:00 PM

This is written beautifully, Tom. You relayed the story well. Such good imagery and I felt as if I were there. Each line made you anxious to get to the next one. Congratulations!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/11/2020 12:39:00 PM

Thank you very much Sandra, it's a fascinating story although a tragic one, they are brave people both men and women who go out on the sea to make a living. Hope you're well. Tom