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The Barque Wellington
In February 1885, the quiet village of Wembury found itself drawn into a storm that had begun far out on the Atlantic. The barque Wellington, a merchant sailing ship, had returned to Plymouth after a violent confrontation between Captain Charles Armstrong and his crew. The captain was dead before the vessel made port.
The inquest was held on 3 February 1885 at the Jubilee Inn in Wembury — the same building now known as The Odd Wheel. The small inn was packed with farmers and villagers eager to hear the evidence. Early rumours claimed Armstrong had lost his mind through drink, but the post-mortem at Plymouth found “no trace whatever of alcohol,” only a man cut down amid chaos and fear.
Witnesses described a desperate night at sea: a gunshot, a wounded sailor, and the crew’s struggle to regain control. Four men stood accused of killing their captain, but after hearing the evidence the jury acquitted them of manslaughter. The Wellington sailed again, though her name carried a shadow.
[Verse 1]
Wind came tearing, black sky wild
Armstrong shouting, voices riled
Crew stood tense, the ropes ran red
Storm was roaring overhead
[Chorus]
Fire in the hold, fear in command
Blood on the deck and rope in hand
The sea keeps secrets no court can find
The truth went down in the salt and brine
[Verse 2]
Gunflash cracked through rain and spray
One man down, they broke away
By dawn the master’s voice was gone
Silence where the ship rolled on
[Chorus]
Fire in the hold, fear in command
Blood on the deck and rope in hand
The sea keeps secrets no court can find
The truth went down in the salt and brine
[Bridge]
Lanterns burn in the Jubilee Inn
Whispers trade of guilt and sin
Twelve men judge what the waves have told
Still that night runs dark and cold
[Chorus]
Fire in the hold, fear in command
Blood on the deck and rope in hand
The sea keeps secrets no court can find
The truth went down in the salt and brine
[Final Chorus]
Fire in the hold, fear in command
Blood on the deck and rope in hand
The sea keeps secrets no court can find
The truth went down in the salt and brine
[Outro]
Wembury wind calls the Wellington’s name
The deep remembers all the same