Au coeur...de l'action   Paul Hartwig Guy Laflamme Wilhem Köning Léon-Paul Fortin Germaine Perry   Les principales victimes des attaques ennemies menées dans le fleuve ou dans le golfe Saint-Laurent sont les marins et les passagers des navires torpillés. En effet, la plupart des torpillages qui ont eu lieu dans le Saint-Laurent ont causé des pertes de vies humaines. Certains rescapés ont eu la chance de s’en tirer sain et sauf, alors que d’autres sont décédés en pleine mer ou suite aux blessures causées par les torpillages. Suite au repêchage de rescapés par la corvette HMCS Ville de Québec lors de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, un survivant rédigea ce poème qui souligne l’importance de la petite lumière rouge portée sur les ceintures de sauvetage. Ce poème est laissé en version originale anglaise pour mieux en saisir toutes les nuances. Il a été transmis au Musée naval de Québec par le révérend Henri L. J. Lanctin. THE LITTLE LIGHT OF RED From New York City we set sail, In convoy to Great Britain; With precious cargo in our hold, A page of life was written. Up the coast to Canada, And then to Newfoundland; Never dreaming that our convoy Had death on either hand. T’was Tuesday night and cold and drear, The waves were heaving high; Then came the crash which seamen fear, And the flames lit up the sky. Jerry was out to make his name, Five ships he sent below; And sailors made their bid for life, Into that heaving flow. Our life belts strapped upon our backs, The night was cold and dead; Then I looked at my only chance, The little light of red. In the water dark and cold, Many a seaman died; When out of the night a wonderful sight, A ship on my beam I spied. My hopes leaped high as it drew nigh, A corvette by her build, And many a seaman from the sea Were taken, cold and chilled. We thank our God for the ships He sent, But let my praise be said; The thing that really saved our lives, Was that little light of red. Anonymous