THE‘ SKEETER FLEET

By Everard Jack 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 wo n'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!