Like all ports Sheerness had it's fair share of pubs. The piece below which was first circulated about 1914 includes nearly every pub on the island

The following anonymous ditty was published in various forms around 1914. At the time Sheerness was home to a Royal Dockyard with both Army and Navy garrisons. There are 72 pubs listed  and just 46 survive today. There seems to be one or two omissions such as the Harty Ferry Inn,

Wearing the "CROWN & ANCHOR" a "JOLLY SAILOR" refreshed himself in the "THE FOUNTAIN". Then on his way to the "CRYSTAL PALACE" he fell in with some "WATERMEN" and "CRICKETERS". They informed him that "CUMBERLAND" was in "ARMS" so ordering a "HORSE AND GROOM" and waving the "RED WHITE AND BLUE", he formed a "MITRE" and went to the "SHIP". Seeing "LORD NELSON" he told him the news with "GOOD INTENT" that it is no "CRITERION" taking an emblem sealed with the "RED LION" to summon the "ARMY & NAVY" to the "DRUIDS ARMS".

He then refreshed himself with "GRAPES" for it required "HEARTS OF OAK" to face the "DUKE OF CLARENCE" and then proceed to "THE RAILWAY". But don't act "THE GOAT". Be a "TRUE BRITON" and "VICTORY" is sure to go forth with the speed of a "GREYHOUND" until you come to the "NORTH STAR".

There you will retrieve another "CROWN & ANCHOR" for your "SUN" at "THE BREWERY TAP". You will be presented with a "BELLE & LION". Toll the bell and sing a popular ditty namely "THE BLUEBELL" But don't disturb the "BRITISH QUEEN", who will give you her "WHEATSHEAF" to place in her favourite "BRICKLAYERS ARMS".

Next sing "BRITANNIA" rules the waves to "WELLINGTON" who will order the "MECHANICS" to sever the "TARTERS HEAD" and take the "KENT ARMS". You must then take the "CROWN" from the "OLD HOUSE AT HOME" and place it in "THE CASTLE" which protects the "QUEENS HOTEL". Refresh yourself at the "ROYAL HOTEL" and lunch in the bar, at "SEAVIEW" which will then be taken by "NAPIER" from the "GLASSHOUSE" and "THE HERO OF THE CRIMEA" who fought on the "HEIGHTS OF ALMA". Being a "MAN OF KENT" you will be made a "BRITISH ADMIRAL" and the sword hardened by a "BLACKSMITHS ARMS". Proceeding you will come to a "SHIP ON SHORE" and a man from "THE WATERLOO" will tell you how the "KINGS ARMS" was taken from "THE HIGHLANDERS" by the "SONS OF SHEPPEY" who took them to the "BRITISH QUEEN".

After planting the "ROYAL OAK" by the "PLOUGH" then taking a "WHEATSHEAF" then had a "CROOKED BILLET" at the "CASTLE" proceeding with a "ROSE & CROWN" they took the "HALFWAY HOUSE" where they were met by the "ODDFELLOWS".

They were then sent to the "QUEEN PHILLIPPA" with a "ROSE"in the "HOPE" that they would take "THE ORDNANCE ARMS" to the "SHIP", sail round the "GLOBE" and finish in the "MEDWAY" if you want a good drink.

Don't we all?