The 'Skeeter Fleet

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Title:     The 'Skeeter Fleet
Author: Everard Jack Appleton [More Titles by Appleton]

Mighty little doin'--yet a lot to do--
While the navy's standin' guard, we are lookin' out;
Patrol boats in shoals, good old craft and new
Hustle here and skitter there--what's it all about?

Speed boats and slow boats
Loaf around or run,
But ev'ry unit of this fleet
Mounts a wicked gun!

Pleasure craft a-plenty, all dolled up in gray
Grim and ugly war-paint dress, we're a gloomy lot,
Slidin' in and out, never in the way.
Gosh! It's wearin' on the nerves, waitin' round--for what?

Some boats are bum boats,
Layin' for the Hun--
But ev'ry boat that flies our Flag
Mounts a wicked gun!

Stickin' for the Big Show! Will it ever start?
When it does, Good night, Irene! We won't make a squeak.
"Boy Scouts of the Sea," watch us do our part
If a raider or a sub. gives us just a peek!

Tin boats and wood boats--
Ev'ry single one
Longs to get in action with
Its wicked little gun!

[The end]
Everard Jack Appleton's poem: 'Skeeter Fleet

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