The Seaford Shags

Summary

"The Seaford Shags" is a poem that narrates the life of wreckers who lure ships to their doom to plunder their goods, inspired by the story "The Cormorant's Dowry" by Alex Kilcannon.

Abstract

The poem "The Seaford Shags" depicts the harsh realities faced by wreckers, individuals who resort to scavenging, looting, and smuggling due to scarcity of resources. They use deceptive tactics, such as setting up fake harbor lights during storms, to cause ships to crash onto rocks. The wreckers then collect the valuable cargo washed ashore, risking confrontations with excisemen who are determined to stop them. The poem conveys a sense of desperation and lawlessness, as well as the danger and excitement associated with the wreckers' way of life. Despite the risks, including violent encounters with authorities, the wreckers continue their perilous trade, driven by the promise of riches from the ships that fall prey to their schemes.

Opinions

The poem romanticizes the dangerous and morally ambiguous lifestyle of wreckers, presenting it as a necessary response to hardship and scarcity.
There is a sense of camaraderie and shared risk among the wreckers, as suggested by the reference to "partners" and the collective effort to scare off an exciseman.
The author seems to admire the resourcefulness and boldness of the wreckers, who are willing to engage in illegal activities and even violence to survive and prosper.
The poem suggests a cycle of poverty and desperation that drives individuals to extreme measures, implying that the wreckers are as much victims of circumstance as they are perpetrators of crime.
The mention of "rich pickings" and becoming "rich for sure" indicates a belief that the potential rewards justify the risks involved in wrecking.

A poem about the life of a wrecker inspiration came from reading Cormorants Dowry

Life is hard and food is scarce, We cannot pay our dues, Scavenging, looting and smuggling, What have we got to lose?

Outside a storm is raging, The ships are getting near. Our lanterns filled with oil, A fake harbour will soon appear.

Off we ride to Seaford Head, The lanterns set around. A fully loaded sailing ship, Will hopefully run aground.

Loaded full of luxuries, Brought in from a foreign shore. Unknowingly smashes on the rocks, She’ll make us rich for sure.

The excisemen have noticed, And are riding through the night. They are looking for us wreckers, This will end up in a fight.

The exciseman draws a pistol, My partners seeing red. She scares the horse he’s riding. And now the buggers dead.

Rich pickings we got from the rocks, From the ship that ran aground. For now, we’ll stash all our hoard, That will keep us safe and sound.

Wreckers we are and wreckers we be, That I know for sure. Scavenging, looting and smuggling, For now and evermore.

Inspired by this amazing story written by Alex Kilcannon. Check it out!

The Seaford Shags

A poem about the life of a wrecker inspiration came from reading Cormorants Dowry

The Cormorant's Dowry

Fiction Friday