Media Monday: ANNA MARIA

We've talked before about the role of WWI U-Boats in the demise of Sail Freight in the Atlantic, and this song is about that topic. As a warning, this song contains strong language and violent references.

Anna Maria is the story of a French brigantine sunk by a U-Boat on the fourth of February, 1917. The Brigantine Anna Maria existed, and is present in Lloyd's 1917 register of shipping under the registry number 424. She was 91 feet long, home ported in Bayonne, France, and owned by J. Legasse. Built of wood in 1896, she measured 140 Gross Register Tons, 105 Net. She was 91 feet 4 inches long, and 24 feet 7 inches on the beam.

She was sunk in the first quarter of 1917, as reported under "War Losses" by Lloyd's Registry in their casualties supplement. Other sources point to her being sunk by U-83 which was sunk in turn by a Q-Ship submarine hunter 13 days later.

While the source of the details for the song are of unknown origin, the basic story is historically sound. As part of the Dreadnought's 2017 First World War Concept Album "Foreign Skies," released during the centennial of the conflict, it brings a story of naval warfare to life vividly. A story of love, loss, and vengeance, it is a bit different than the usual content of HRMM Media Monday blogs, but well worth the listen.

LYRICS:

Well the waves were breaking sharply
‘cross the oaken brigantine
While the misty air came up behind
And the sky was acid green

Well they called me Jean LaGasse
I had just turned fifty three
On the day I stood upon her deck
And put her out to sea

Sweet Anna Maria
Never More, Never more I'll see

When the thunder ripped across the bow
Well I crumbled where I stood
And I woke to find she'd kept me alive
With her final piece of wood

Don't speak to me in a fancy language
I can't understand
Don't flash your pretty medals
Don't you take my blood red hand

Just tell me how you let us stray
Before the pirate's gun
And tell me how I can find the man
Who killed my dearest one

Sweet Anna Maria
Never More, Never more I'll see
Sweet Anna Maria
Never More, Never more I'll see

Well he says she was U83
Some magical machine
Sent by Kaiser Willy
To the banks of the Lorient

Gonna find that coward captain
Gonna break his front door down
Gonna wrap my hands around his neck
And put him in the ground

Sweet Anna Maria
Never More, Never more I'll see
Sweet Anna Maria
For Love, For Love, of thee

Author

Steven Woods is the Solaris and Education coordinator at HRMM. He earned his Master's degree in Resilient and Sustainable Communities at Prescott College, and wrote his thesis on the revival of Sail Freight for supplying the New York Metro Area's food needs. Steven has worked in Museums for over 20 years.

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