The Wasp, 1918 · page 309 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 309: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a serialized fictional narrative rather than a political cartoon. The text tells of a man named James (using aliases Burnham/Fitzwalter) who volunteers aboard the British warship *Breda* as a master gunner, claiming to be a widower with fifty guineas. The exchange involves Admiral John Benbow, a historical figure, who accepts James despite his transparent deception about recent widowhood. Benbow is focused on pursuing the French privateer Du Casse to the south with limited crew. **Historical context**: This likely references real naval conflicts between British and French forces in the late 17th century, with Du Casse being a known French corsair. The narrative appears designed to entertain readers with tales of naval adventure and deception rather than deliver political satire. Without seeing accompanying illustrations, I cannot identify any visual caricatures or their satirical targets.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
300 THE WASP young officer; “‘and as we happen to be short of gunners as well as seamen, I’m firmly of the opinion that your services and yout guineas will - be accepted.” : Lieutenant Jenkyn was “right.” And so it came about that James Burnham, otherwise | James Fitzwalter, went aboard the line-of-battle ship Breda, of seventy guns, to serve his queen and country. He was called before the admiral. “ How is this ?’’ cried John Benbow, glaring | at the recruit. ‘‘ You possess fifty guineas and a knowledge of great guns, and you volunteer to | serve in this ship as a met gunner ? So a yourself, my good sir.” “My last fifty guineas, your honour,” lied” James, bowing. ‘“ Boy sir, I have but recently & . become a widower.” “ Enough,” seplied the admiral. ‘If you can fight your guns, that is all I ask. Dm in no™ position to look a gift-horse in the teeth. T am short of men, devilish short—and Du Casse 3 is somewhere to the south, with five ships and four frigates, and I must be after him.” So James was given command of five guns on the upper deck, forward, on the starboard side Though the discipline of the flag-ship was like iron, rules were few; and so it happened that | icomiicbooks: Pen Seah