The Wasp — 1914 — page 190: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page describes a naval encounter between two damaged ships: a "white schooner" and the crippled "Black Polly," allegedly belonging to Hellfire Hicks. The text emphasizes the stark contrast between the vessels—one listing severely, the other relatively intact—and the crew's aggressive preparations (guns, cutlasses, pikes). The satire appears to mock either a real pirate or smuggler named Hellfire Hicks, or possibly a political figure using that as a satirical nickname. The humor derives from the damaged "Black Polly" attempting futile escape while the white schooner's crew laughs at its sluggish efforts. Without additional context about the publication date and Hicks's identity, the specific political or social target remains unclear, though the piece celebrates maritime superiority and mocks weakness or incompetence.