The Wasp, 1918 · page 159 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 159: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized narrative rather than a political cartoon. It describes life aboard a ship, likely a privateer or merchant vessel, detailing the crew's pay structure and gambling habits. The text recounts events involving crew members James Burnham, Captain Trimmer, and Wells gambling with cards and dice while the ship travels. A significant moment occurs when another vessel—identified as the *Tartar*, heading for Nevis—is spotted on the horizon. Without seeing illustrations or additional context, the satirical intent remains unclear. The passage could be mocking maritime life, critiquing gambling culture, or referencing a contemporary naval incident. The specific historical event or political target is not evident from this excerpt alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
150 < THE WASP grade, two shares each; and able-bodied. mem- _ bers of the crew, including the two cooks, got - one share each. There were three lads who only _drew half-shares. 2 They never robbed one another, save through the medium of cards or dice. They left their treasure lying in unlocked chests, in open bags, or even loose in their berths. Play was high and drinking was heavy ; but if a man became unduly troublesome in his cups or dangerously - excited over the play, he was promptly oe to order. During the first two days out from Bore Harbour James Burnham lost fifty of his seventy guineas at play. Early on the third day a flashing white sail was sighted to the westward. Captain Trimmer went aloft and examined it through his glass. He reported a large sloop, a sinelesieer with a cloud of head-sails, southward bound. Beyond a doubt it was the Yariar heading for Nevis; so the white schooner held on her way. : The bright day wore on to a red sunset and a star-spangled night. Burnham diced fora couple of hours in the cabin with Trimmer and Wells and won ten guineas. He then left the cabin and comicbocks‘com