9. The Coal-ship and Barge.
This is one of the ships called Newcastle Colliers, laden with coals from the mines in Northumberland. These vessels are too large to come close to the wharfs to unload; so the coals are emptied into barges, (which are a kind of large, flat boats,) and carried in them to the different wharfs where they are to be landed.
Drawn up from the dreary mine,
See the black and shining coal;
Where the sun can never shine,
Through the deep and dismal hole.There the sooty miners stay,
Digging at their work forlorn;
Or, to see the light of day,
In a swinging bucket drawn.Then along the roaring tide,
Where the tempest bellow’d keen,
Did the laden vessel ride,
Toss’d among the waters green.Wide were spread her canvass sails,
Tall and taper rose her mast:
Now, before the northern gales,
She has reach’d her port at last.