Life, 1918-01-24 · page 7 of 40
Life — January 24, 1918 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a wartime satirical piece, likely from World War I based on the naval references. "The Ghost Ships" poem by McLandburgh Wilson describes German naval threats—a "German mariner" and "lawless pirate" haunted by vengeance and the ghosts of ships he's destroyed. The accompanying illustrations depict: 1. **Left**: A mysterious woman by the shore, observing warships—"The Woman Who Understands Him" 2. **Right**: An interior scene where someone explains acquiring something sinister—"The Hun I Got It From Had No More Use for It" The satire appears to mock German naval warfare and U-boat tactics while depicting civilians' anxieties about maritime threats. The illustrations suggest espionage or black-market dealings related to the naval conflict, though specific historical references remain somewhat unclear without additional context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Ghost Ships OW to the German mariner Upon his track there follow fast And then the shapes of ships to be Who played his lawless pirate The ghosts of good ships he has Pass swift before his frightened eyes, part slain Like children waiting to be called The sea is peopled with strange sails That ever for their vengeance sail From Paradise. That shake his heart. The haunted main. MeLandburgh Wilson, THE WOMAN WHO UNDERSTANDS HIM. “THE MUN 1 COT IT FROM HAD NO MORE USE For IT”