'The Ballad Of The "Clampherdown"' by Rudyard Kipling


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It was our war-ship ~Clampherdown~
Would sweep the Channel clean,
Wherefore she kept her hatches close
When the merry Channel chops arose,
To save the bleached marine.

She had one bow-gun of a hundred ton,
And a great stern-gun beside;
They dipped their noses deep in the sea,
They racked their stays and stanchions free
In the wash of the wind-whipped tide.

It was our war-ship ~Clampherdown~,
Fell in with a cruiser light
That carried the dainty Hotchkiss gun
And a pair o' heels wherewith to run
From the grip of a close-fought fight.

She opened fire at seven miles --
As ye shoot at a bobbing cork --
And once she fired and twice she fired,
Till the bow-gun drooped like a lily tired
That lolls upon the stalk.

"Captain, the bow-gun melts apace,
The deck-beams break below,
'Twere well to rest for an hour or twain,
And botch the shattered plates again."
And he answered, "Make it so."

She opened fire within the mile --
As ye shoot at the flying duck --
And the great stern-gun shot fair and true,
With the heave of the ship, to the stainless blue,
And the great stern-turret stuck.

"Captain, the turret fills with steam,
The feed-pipes burst below --
You can hear the hiss of the helpless ram,
You can hear the twisted runners jam."
And he answered, "Turn and go!"

It was our war-ship ~Clampherdown~,
And grimly did she roll;
Swung round to take the cruiser's fire
As the White Whale faces the Thresher's ire
When they war by the frozen Pole.

"Captain, the shells are falling fast,
And faster still fall we;
And it is not meet for English stock
To bide in the heart of an eight-day clock
The death they cannot see."

"Lie down, lie down, my bold A.B.,
We drift upon her beam;
We dare not ram, for she can run;
And dare ye fire another gun,
And die in the peeling steam?"

It was our war-ship ~Clampherdown~
That carried an armour-belt;
But fifty feet at stern and bow
Lay bare as the paunch of the purser's sow,
To the hail of the ~Nordenfeldt~.

"Captain, they hack us through and through;
The chilled steel bolts are swift!
We have emptied the bunkers in open sea,
Their shrapnel bursts where our coal should be."
And he answered, "Let her drift."

It was our war-ship ~Clampherdown~,
Swung round upon the tide,
Her two dumb guns glared south and north,
And the blood and the bubbling steam ran forth,
And she ground the cruiser's side.

"Captain, they cry, the fight is done,
They bid you send your sword."
And he answered, "Grapple her stern and bow.
They have asked for the steel.They shall have it now;
Out cutlasses and board!"

It was our war-ship ~Clampherdown~
Spewed up four hundred men;
And the scalded stokers yelped delight,
As they rolled in the waist and heard the fight
Stamp o'er their steel-walled pen.

They cleared the cruiser end to end,
From conning-tower to hold.
They fought as they fought in Nelson's fleet;
They were stripped to the waist, they were bare to the feet,
As it was in the days of old.

It was the sinking ~Clampherdown~
Heaved up her battered side --
And carried a million pounds in steel,
To the cod and the corpse-fed conger-eel,
And the scour of the Channel tide.

It was the crew of the ~Clampherdown~
Stood out to sweep the sea,
On a cruiser won from an ancient foe,
As it was in the days of long ago,
And as it still shall be.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ballad of the "Clampherdown" by Rudyard Kipling

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were right there in the story? That's how I felt when I read "The Ballad of the 'Clampherdown'" by Rudyard Kipling. This classic poem tells the tale of a British warship, the "Clampherdown," that sinks in battle. It's a haunting and emotional story that Kipling tells with incredible skill and attention to detail. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'm going to take a closer look at this incredible poem and explore some of the themes and techniques that Kipling uses to create such a powerful piece of literature.

The Story

Before we dive into the literary techniques at play in "The Ballad of the 'Clampherdown,'" let's take a closer look at the story itself. The poem tells the tale of the HMS Clampherdown, a British warship that sinks during a battle with an enemy vessel. The poem is divided into six sections, each of which tells a different part of the story.

In the first section, Kipling sets the stage by describing the Clampherdown and its crew. He describes the ship as "a living thing" and introduces us to some of the key players in the story, including the captain and the gunners.

The second section is where things start to get intense. The Clampherdown engages in battle with the enemy vessel, and Kipling does an incredible job of capturing the chaos and violence of the scene. He describes the "roaring shots" and the "yelling crews" in a way that makes the battle feel incredibly real.

In the third section, the Clampherdown takes a direct hit and begins to sink. The crew scrambles to save themselves, but it quickly becomes clear that many of them will not make it. Kipling does a fantastic job of capturing the overwhelming sense of panic and terror that would accompany a sinking ship.

In the fourth section, Kipling shifts focus to the Clampherdown's captain. He describes the captain's bravery and determination as he refuses to abandon his ship, even as it sinks beneath the waves.

The fifth section is perhaps the most emotional part of the poem. Kipling describes the crew's final moments as they cling to the sinking ship, waiting for rescue that will never come. He captures the sense of despair and hopelessness that would accompany such a situation.

Finally, in the sixth section, Kipling reflects on the tragedy of the Clampherdown's sinking. He notes that the crew has "gone where all good tars go" and that they will never be forgotten.

Themes

Now that we've taken a closer look at the story of "The Ballad of the 'Clampherdown,'" let's explore some of the themes that Kipling is exploring in this poem. One of the most obvious themes is that of bravery in the face of adversity. Throughout the poem, Kipling emphasizes the bravery and determination of the Clampherdown's crew, particularly its captain. Even as the ship sinks and all seems lost, the crew remains resolute in the face of danger.

Another theme that Kipling explores is the idea of sacrifice. The crew of the Clampherdown knows that they are putting their lives on the line for their country, and they do so willingly. Kipling portrays their sacrifice as heroic and noble, even as he acknowledges the tragedy of their deaths.

Finally, Kipling is exploring the idea of mortality and the fragility of human life. The crew of the Clampherdown knows that they are risking their lives every time they go to sea, and Kipling emphasizes the fleeting nature of life in the face of such danger. The poem is a reminder that life is precious and that we should appreciate it while we can.

Literary Techniques

One of the things that makes "The Ballad of the 'Clampherdown'" such a powerful poem is the way that Kipling uses literary techniques to create a vivid and emotional story. One of the most notable techniques that he employs is that of repetition. Throughout the poem, Kipling repeats certain phrases and images, creating a sense of continuity and emphasizing the key themes of the poem. For example, he repeatedly describes the Clampherdown as a "living thing," emphasizing the idea that the ship is more than just a machine, but something that is alive and vital.

Another technique that Kipling uses effectively is that of imagery. He paints incredibly vivid pictures with his words, describing the chaos and violence of the battle in a way that makes the reader feel like they are right there in the thick of things. He also uses imagery to convey the emotions of the crew, describing their panic, terror, and despair in a way that is both powerful and relatable.

Finally, Kipling uses meter and rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. The ballad form of the poem lends itself well to this, with its simple ABAB rhyme scheme and regular meter. This gives the poem a musical quality that makes it all the more memorable and impactful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Ballad of the 'Clampherdown'" is a stunning piece of literature that explores themes of bravery, sacrifice, and mortality. Kipling uses a variety of techniques to create a vivid and emotional story, painting pictures with his words and using repetition, imagery, and meter to great effect. This is a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, a testament to the power of great literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ballad of the "Clampherdown" is a classic poem written by Rudyard Kipling, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century. This poem is a ballad, which is a type of narrative poem that tells a story. The Ballad of the "Clampherdown" is a story about a ship that sinks in a storm, and the bravery of the sailors who try to save it.

The poem begins with a description of the "Clampherdown," a ship that is sailing through a stormy sea. The ship is described as being "a clipper stout and true," which means that it is a fast and reliable ship. However, the storm is so fierce that the ship is in danger of sinking.

As the storm rages on, the sailors on the "Clampherdown" try to save the ship. They work tirelessly to keep the ship afloat, but their efforts are in vain. The ship begins to sink, and the sailors are forced to abandon it.

Despite the danger, the sailors remain brave and determined. They refuse to give up, and they continue to fight for their lives. They cling to the wreckage of the ship, hoping to be rescued.

As the storm subsides, a rescue ship arrives. The sailors are saved, but the "Clampherdown" is lost. The poem ends with a tribute to the bravery of the sailors who fought to save the ship.

The Ballad of the "Clampherdown" is a powerful poem that captures the courage and determination of sailors in the face of danger. Kipling's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the intensity of the storm and the bravery of the sailors.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "Clampherdown, Clampherdown, hark to the shout!" is repeated several times throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the danger that the sailors are facing.

Kipling also uses vivid imagery to describe the storm. He describes the waves as "mountains high," and the wind as "a howling fiend." This imagery creates a sense of chaos and danger, and helps the reader to understand the severity of the storm.

Another effective technique that Kipling uses is personification. He describes the storm as a living entity, with a "howling fiend" and "a voice that roared and rang." This personification creates a sense of malevolence and hostility, and emphasizes the danger that the sailors are facing.

The poem also contains several examples of alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds. For example, Kipling writes, "The wind was piping, the waves were white." This use of alliteration creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, and helps to convey the intensity of the storm.

Overall, The Ballad of the "Clampherdown" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the bravery and determination of sailors in the face of danger. Kipling's use of language and imagery is particularly effective in conveying the intensity of the storm and the courage of the sailors. This poem is a testament to the human spirit, and a reminder of the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

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