22nd March 2020
I have just finished reading a book called the Billy Ruffian by David Cordingly about the Bellerophon that held Napoleon as a prisoner in Torbay just after the battle of Waterloo. Most of the sailors on the Bellerophon couldn't pronounce the name of their ship so they called her the Billy Ruffian.
Aboard the Billy Ruffian
From France to Torbay
With the prisoner Napoleon
Such fame had come their way
Aboard the Billy Ruffian
From France to Torbay
Her hull was made of English oak
More than three thousand felled
Named the Bellerophon
And her keel was made of of elm
Aboard the Billy Ruffian
Arriving in Torbay
With Napoleon Bonaparte
And in England he hoped to stay
Aboard the Billy Ruffian
Arriving in Torbay
Of battles she had many
The bravest of the brave
Part of the Royal Navy
And England they would save
Sightseers came from Exeter
To gather in the bay
To see Napoleon
Get a glimpse of him that day
Aboard the Northumberland
Departing from Torbay
With the prisoner Napoleon
To exile he was on his way
Aboard the Northumberland
Departing from Torbay
Goodbye to the Bellerophon
And her claim to fame
The crew stripped her of everything
And a prison she became
Goodbye to the Bellerophon
And her claim to fame