104 - Wreck of the Dandenong

Words by traditional
Tune by traditional

The passenger steamer Dandenong was shipwrecked off the coast of Jervis Bay in 1876 on the way from Melbourne to Newcastle, New South Wales. Forty out of eighty-three passengers were lost in the wreck.

Oh wild and furious blew the blast,
And the clouds were hangin’ round
When the Dandenong from Melbourne sailed
To Newcastle port was bound
She had eighty three poor souls on board
Through the storm she cleaved her way
Well it’s sad to relate her terrible fate
Was just off Jervis bay

And I dream of you, I dream of sleep
I dream of bein’ warm
But through the night I have to sail
To brave this raging storm

While steering through the briny waves,
A propelling shaft gave way
And the waters they came crashing in
Which filled us with dismay
All hands on board did all they could
'Till at length all hope was gone
And they hoisted a signal of distress
On board of the Dandenong

It was not long until a barque
Of a brisk and lively crew
Came bearing down and the Captain cried,
“We’ll see what we can do!”
Came bearing down with might and main
In spite of land or wave
They did all they could as sailors would
Those precious lives to save

And I dream of you, I dream of sleep
I dream of bein’ warm
And pray the sea will leave me be
To see another dawn

Now some in boats they tried to reach
That kind and friendly barque
And numbers of their lives were saved
But the night came on pitch dark
What mortal man then could do more
When the storm increased on strong
And the rest now sleep in the briny deep
Along with the Dandenong

And I dream of you, I dream of sleep
I dream of comin’ home
But a mile of water buries me
Beneath this ragin’ foam

And I dream of you, I dream of sleep
I dream of bein’ warm
But through the night I have to sail
To brave this raging storm