Cargo Hulks

Cargo Hulks

By Peter Tower

Ramshackle barges
limp the coastal passages
carrying hogfuel and sulphur
to the ever-hungry mills—
food for the insatiable
bellies of the digesters,
ammunition for the smokestacks
to vomit at the gulls.

Cargo hulks
stripped of masts and superstructure—
name rank identity
any vestige of esteem
they flounder through waves
like great gutted whales
behind the structuring tugboats
and they dream

of full sail—
ferocious high seas thundering,
merciless Antarctic gales,
and howling challenge of the Horn,
shrouds under full stress bulging
like a trumpet player’s cheeks –
the pitching the early foundering
the forging on

to dolphin country
in the long rolling heat
past stark coasts where volcanoes growl
like old men in beds –
equatorial becalmings –
deckboards cracking in the sun –
parched voices croaking for a wind
on the hard green road

Blowing north again
before a good kicking gust
through starhung climbing nights
and new-minted days
to drop anchor at last
winner of the harrowing marathon
before new-raised cabins smoking welcome
in the pioneer bays

Memories melting
in the cold reality of the rain
they wake to ultimate winters by wharves
in the overwhelming stink
become mere pawns
in the same industrial equation
that fouls the water brown foaming
along their flanks.

Summary of Cargo Hulks

• Introducing the Poem: “Cargo Hulks” is a poignant work by Canadian poet Peter Gerard Tower, first published in his 2002 collection, There are Many Ways: New and Revised Poems. The poem draws heavily on Tower’s personal experiences with port life, lending it an authentic and deeply felt quality.
• The Core of the Poem: The poem vividly depicts the journey of aging cargo barges—stripped of their former glory—as they transport raw materials to industrial mills. It’s a powerful commentary on the relentless march of industrialization and its impact on both the natural world and the human spirit. The barges, once symbols of adventure and independence, are reduced to mere tools in a profit‑driven system.
• Key Themes: “Cargo Hulks” explores themes of industrialization, environmental degradation, the loss of identity, and the fading of memory. It asks us to consider the cost of progress and the importance of remembering a time when things were different.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in ‘Cargo Hulks’

Peter Tower masterfully employs a range of poetic devices to create a haunting and memorable poem. These devices not only enhance the imagery and rhythm but also deepen the poem’s thematic resonance.

Sound Devices

1. Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates a musical quality and emphasizes certain images. Notice the repeated vowel sounds in words such as “merciless” and “gales,” which add a lyrical rhythm to the line.
2. Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds, like the /g/ in “great gutted whales,” draws attention to specific phrases and creates a memorable sound pattern.
3. Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words, such as the “m” sound in “ammunition” and “smokestacks,” adds texture and depth to the poem’s soundscape.

Imagery and Figurative Language

1. Imagery: Tower’s poem is rich in vivid imagery, appealing to the senses and creating a strong visual and emotional impact. Phrases like “memories melting” and “cold reality of the rain” evoke a sense of loss and decay.
2. Metaphor: The entire poem operates as an extended metaphor, with the cargo hulks representing the fading of a bygone era and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.
3. Simile: The use of similes, such as “they flounder through waves like great gutted whales” and “shrouds under full stress bulging like a trumpet player’s cheeks,” creates striking comparisons that enhance the poem’s imagery and meaning.
4. Personification: Tower personifies various elements, giving them human qualities. For example, “volcanoes growl like old men in beds,” imbuing the natural world with a sense of age and weariness.

Structure and Form

1. Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This allows Tower to create a natural, conversational rhythm that mirrors the movement of the barges and the flow of memory.
2. Stanza Form: The poem is divided into stanzas that vary in length, often around eight lines each. This structure provides a sense of organization and helps to guide the reader through the poem’s narrative and thematic development.
3. Enjambment: Tower frequently uses enjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues from one line to the next without punctuation. This creates a sense of momentum and mimics the continuous journey of the barges. Consider these lines as an example:

Memories melting
in the cold reality of the rain
they wake to ultimate winters by wharves
in the overwhelming stink

The uninterrupted flow enhances the feeling of loss and inevitability.

Deeper Dive: Analyzing Key Lines

Let’s examine a few key lines to illustrate how Tower’s poetic devices contribute to the poem’s overall meaning.

“stripped of masts and superstructure—name rank identity” This line powerfully conveys the loss of individuality and purpose experienced by the cargo hulks. The listing of “name rank identity” emphasizes what has been taken away, reducing the vessels to mere objects in a system. The use of the dash creates a pause, emphasizing the starkness of this loss.

“they dream / of full sail—ferocious high seas thundering” This contrast between the present reality and the remembered past is central to the poem’s theme. The barges, now reduced to carrying industrial cargo, long for the days of adventure and freedom represented by “full sail” and “ferocious high seas.” The imagery evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia.

“become mere pawns / in the same industrial equation / that fouls the water brown foaming / along their flanks.” The final lines of the poem deliver a powerful indictment of industrialization. The barges are reduced to “mere pawns,” stripped of their agency and purpose. The image of “water brown foaming” is a stark reminder of the environmental damage caused by industrial processes. This line leaves the reader with a sense of despair and a call to action.

Quotes to Inspire Discussion

These lines from “Cargo Hulks” are particularly effective when exploring the themes of industrialization and environmental degradation:

Memories melting
in the cold reality of the rain
they wake to ultimate winters by wharves
in the overwhelming stink
become mere pawns
in the same industrial equation
that fouls the water brown foaming
along their flanks.

By exploring the poem’s language, imagery, and themes, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between humanity, industry, and the natural world. “Cargo Hulks” is a timeless and thought‑provoking work that continues to resonate with readers today.