HMS Zebra

Six ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Zebra, after the Zebra.

Her Captain died the same year was killed in a duel in New York City with Lt-Col. Pennington over a sonnet written by the latter, reflecting on Lady Bridget's wit. Tollemache was run through the heart. Old Trinity by Park Benjamin Thou fane of many years, farewell! Thy walls must in the dust be laid, And we can now no longer pray Where our forefathers prayed. The altar at whose holy base The kneeling crowds received the wine, Must be no more a guarded spot, A consecrated shrine!

Never again from thy tall spire, Up-pointing to the Christian's home, Shall peal the bell, whose Sabbath voice Rolled o'er thy vaulted dome; Nor shall the daily passer hear Its solemn and familiar chime Fall, like the ringing, signal strokes Of that gray watchman, Time!

The monuments of good men gone, Down from their niches rudely torn, Inscribed in memory of good deeds, Away from sight are borne; And other tablatures will take The places which they had of old; But oh, what graven shapes or lines Can tell the tale they told?

Thou venerable pile, adieu! Another temple soon may tower On thy foundations grand and high— The wonder of the hour! Let Art her gorgeous skill display, And put thy humble walls to shame— There still are hearts, old church, to keep Thy worship and thy name! She was abandoned and blown up after going aground on 22 October 1778 at Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, during the American Revolutionary War.

References

  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
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