SS ROBIN

Masefield's 'Cargoes'

Masefield's 'Cargoes'
Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,
Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,
With a cargo of ivory,
And apes and peacocks,
Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus, Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores, With a cargo of diamonds,
Emeralds, amythysts,
Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.

Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days,
With a cargo of Tyne coal,
Road-rails, pig-lead,
Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.

John Masefield, 1917



	SS Robin is included in the National Historic Fleet, recognised and supported by the Department of Culture Media and Sport. She is one of the UK's ships of pre-eminent national importance, and only one of three Core Collection vessels in London alongside Cutty Sark and HMS Belfast.


	Back in Time The story of Robin's remarkable 84 years as a working steamcoaster - by Commander R.D. Wall (RN), Captain of SS Robin in the 1970s

	FAQs Why is SS Robin significant? Because she's the world's oldest complete steamship, and an extremely important example of her once

	Masefield's 'Cargoes' John Masefield, 1917