The Wasp, 1918 · page 321 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 321: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a **historical narrative rather than a political cartoon**—a text-heavy page from *The Wasp* satirical magazine describing a naval battle between British and French ships (*Breda* and *Ruby*). The passage recounts an admiral's fatal wound during combat, followed by court martial proceedings against his captains, some of whom were executed or imprisoned for apparent cowardice. The admiral, before dying, writes a letter commending a crew member named James Fitzwalter for his courage. **Context for modern readers:** This likely satirizes 18th-century British naval discipline and honor codes—the stark contrast between brutal punishment for perceived cowardice and praise for exemplary conduct. The formal, dramatic tone suggests *The Wasp* is either mocking the overwrought sentimentality of such narratives or critiquing the military's harsh justice system. Without seeing the actual illustrations or knowing the publication date, the specific historical engagement and satirical target remain unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
engagement with the French, in which engagement: B12 _ THE WASP the clinging ships of France. So, in mid-after- noon, on a strengthening wind, the Breda and the Ruby pulled sullenly away from the pack, — : still firing a few guns, still flying their country’s flag. From the masthead of the Breda the order for a general attack still flashed in the sun. The Breda and the Ruby reached Kingston — Harbour at last, and the admiral was carried - ashore. His leg was amputated, but on the 4th of November, seventy-two days aiter receiv- ing the wound, he died of it. Before his death two of his craven captains . were shot at Plymouth, one was thrown into prison, and one was suspended. Another died before the court martial—’tis hoped by his own hand, Captain ee, of the — was pro- _ moted. Also, before his death, the nani wrote de following letter to Sir Walter Burnham, of Burn= ham,-Berkshire, baronet. SIR: es I feel it my duty to inform you that, during my last received the injury of which I am now dying, I was particularly attracted by the splendid energy and courage of a member of my ship’s companys who called use James- Fitzwalter. 4 ome: