The story of Betsy,
Cries out to be told,
In music and verse,
Let her fable unfold,
Imagine the woman,
The Captain at sea,
Her spirit lives on,
Anonymously,
Her remains lie forgotten,
No stone marks the spot,
Could it be?
Her achievements,
Were simply forgot,
Commission a statue!
A plaque with her name!
This daughter of Saltcoats,
So deserving of fame.
She Sails For Evermore
Betsy Miller was her name,
Born in seventeen, ninety two,
A woman of distinction,
The master of the crew,
And Betsy sailed the Clytus,
‘Cross the storm lashed Irish Sea,
Her cargo, coal for Ireland,
Unsung, her bravery,
She was no ordinary woman,
Betsy’s now a heroine,
Not for her, the weaker sex,
This legend of her time,
Born and bred in Scotland,
The first woman of the sea,
Retired when she was seventy,
To her house beside the Quay,
Yes, Betsy was a legend,
Died in eighteen sixty four,
Her body lies in Saltcoats,
But she sails for evermore.
Miss Betsy Sails
No storm lashed coasts deter her,
No fearsome tides her foe,
No distance may perturb her,
Tho’ crossing may be slow,
For Betsy mans the “Clytus”,
Her ship of some renown,
The torchlight lit the harbour,
Miss Betsy sails to town,
She pays no heed,
Prevailing winds,
Will serve her purpose well,
PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL BETSY MILLER WEBSITE AT:
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BETSY MILLER CD..... OUT NOW !!!
(With sincere thanks to LEE TUMBRIDGE, for technical support at the printing stage.)
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BETSY MILLER.
SALTCOATS' QUEEN OF THE SEA.
1792 - 1864.
Betsy Miller achieved the unique distinction of being the first woman ever to be registered as a ships captain and named as such, in the House of Commons and House of Lords.......
Betsy was the eldest daughter born to Captain William Miller and his wife, Mary, who lived in Saltcoats, a small coastal town on the beautiful west coast of Scotland. Captain Miller ran a shipping company carrying cargo across the waters to Ireland. As a young child, Betsy would accompany her father on his journeys. Betsy was totally captivated by the sea and dreamed of being master of her own ship one day, following in the footsteps of her father.
However, in those early days it was unthinkable that a woman would work on board a sailing vessel let alone be ‘Master of the Ship’.
Yet, how young Betsy would dream …........
When Betsy reached adulthood she worked for her father in his company, whilst her brother Hugh was groomed to take over the company and run the ship. Tragedy hit the Miller household when Hugh was drowned in an accident at nearby Ardrossan harbour, and Captain Miller, her father, suffered an illness which left him an invalid. The Miller family had incurred colossal debts and Betsy, by then 46, stepped into the realms of history and set about reinstating her family name and making her fortune.
Betsy gained a reputation as a fine ‘seawoman’ who was capable of handling the Brig Clytus in the stormiest conditions. Very much a lady, and a gentile one at that, Betsy was a stickler for being properly dressed for all occasions and took great pride in her appearance, her delicate lace caps always pristine, her dress impeccable. Her youngest sister, Hannah accompanied Betsy acting as her chaperon.
Betsy’s fourteen man crew had great respect for the ‘skipper’, for Betsy would sail when other experienced Captains would not. Betsy was a woman of guile and humour and her crew loved her for it.
She was a shrewd business woman and traded in coal and limestone between her home port of Saltcoats and the major ports in Ireland.
Captain Betsy Miller retired when she was seventy to the family home in Saltcoats and died two years later leaving her youngest sister Hannah, to continue where she left off.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Captain Betsy Miller, Master of the Brig Clytus and Saltcoats’ Queen of the Sea. Its’ inception is that of Saltcoats musician, ED WALKER who has composed and performed this wonderful music in Betsy’s honour. The poetic offerings, as such, are by the author. We hope that in visiting this site you will be touched by the spirit of Betsy, an extraordinary woman and a legend in her time......
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hi everybody, just here to say our new RORY GALLAGHER HAWK BOOSTER is ready for shipping. Have a listen if you get a chance, All the best, Stevie Flynn.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
We're playing in Edinburgh on Saturday at the Bongo Club. We hope you can come. Spread the word to your friends. It'll be a great night.
We'll be playing songs from our new album "Baka Beyond the Forest" as well as some old favourites
You can hear clips on our website (www.baka.co.uk) and our Myspace page.
It starts early (7.30pm) so don't be late!
One Love!
Nollaig Chridheil Huibh…. What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. May you know all these things this Christmas, beloved friend.
Hi and thanks for the friendship! We go back in the studio and do the final sessions in our deconstruction of John Dowland’s galliards in December. Material from the September sessions up on the site right now. The Black Bile Galliards/Stefan Östersjö and Natasha Barrett
Hi everybody, just here to say a big thanks for all your support. The new workshop is well and truly up and running and the custom cabs are now available to order. All the best, Stevie Flynn.
This is the long awaited re-release of the 1984 album including the hit single "Love Theme From The Thorn Birds", classics such as the Romanza of Bacarisse and the Adagio from Aranjuez as well as popular pieces such as "Cavatina" and "Romeo And Juliet". There are also five bonus tracks of flamenco guitar. A stunning album of romantic guitar music with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Louis Clark, never before released on CD.
Juan's own note on Serenade:
Being a flamenco guitarist is a frenetic and exciting existence. This album is for me the antidote to that intense and complex activity. It soothes me to play these songs between concerts, airports and when one is alone in a hotel on the road. It helps to reawaken a gentler more peaceful interior that can become flattened in this sometimes soulless world. I hope some of this feel reaches you too. Juan Martin
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