Laredo

Tuesday 22 December 1998, Straits of Magellan.
Laredo is a load-out and supply base for the Chilean and southern Argentinian oil fields. Our vessel the Toisa Puma had just loaded the last of the umbilical reels and departed just as the wind picked up from its usual 20 to 30 knots to 40 plus. I was looking aft at the scene with the wind whipping the waves behind us and the shore receding when the words “Leaving Laredo, in the teeth of a gale” popped into my mind.

Leaving Laredo
In the teeth of a gale
Leaving Laredo
Wind rain and hail
Bitter she blows
Like a razor she cuts
Leaving Laredo
Won’t miss it too much

Came to Laredo
A reel to load
Came to Laredo
At the end of the road
Ninety miles from nowhere
Out back of beyond
Came to Laredo
And wished we were gone

Stayed at Laredo
Patagonian sole
Stayed at Laredo
Chilean toe
Cross the Straits of Magellan
Terra Del Fuego
Stayed at Laredo
But wanted to go

Looked over Laredo
Windswept and bare
Looked over Laredo
Saw everything there
Not a tree to be seen
Nor mountain or peak
Looked over Laredo
And counted it bleak

Walked round Laredo
Load-out base
Walked round Laredo
And left it in haste
Saw it all twice over
In a tenth of a week
Walked round Laredo
Not much of a treat

Farewell to Laredo
With its desolate blow
Farewell to Laredo
50 South and below
Supposed to be summer
But blustery cold
Farewell to Laredo
With the reel in our hold