The Wasp, 1913 · page 175 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 175: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be **narrative fiction or serialized story** rather than a political cartoon. The text describes a ship (*Good Cheer*) controlled by criminals—escaped convicts and former criminals (Trimmer, Dodd, and "Slim Sam")—who have elected themselves to command positions. The satire targets **maritime lawlessness and deception**: the criminal crew deliberately deceives a New England schooner's captain by staging a false distress signal, claiming pirate attack rather than admitting their true identity as convicts. The authorities are portrayed as skeptical ("doubtless to ascertain...with a view to confiscating"), suggesting corruption and mercenary interests rather than genuine rescue. The underlying critique appears to be about **criminal enterprise at sea** and the difficulty of maintaining order on ships—the only surviving officer was kept because prisoners lacked navigation skills, highlighting incompetence among the criminal leadership. Without knowing the publication date or broader context, the specific historical reference remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
170 THE WASP know. The life of the third mate had been spared because none of the jailbirds knew navigation. The brig made heavy weather throughout the week immediately following her change of masters. A score of the miserable beings sickened and died and were thrown into the sea. The survivors of the desperate and deplorable company elected John Trimmer to the post of captain; Dodd, another ex- highwayman, to the berth of first mate; and a pick- pocket called Slim Sam to the honorable position of second officer. The former third mate kept his old berth and performed all the duties of navigat- ing and sailing the brig. In the course of time a signal of distress brought a schooner from New England alongside the Good Cheer. Trimmer hid all his armed men save six, then informed the master of the schooner that he had escaped from a pirate only to be knocked about by a gale, and that he was now short of men, fresh water, and provisions. The New Englanders came aboard the brig in a hurry, doubtless to ascertain the nature of the cargo with a view to confiscating it. Comichooks.com