The Wasp — 1891 — page 487: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Wasp comic strip satirizes a ship's departure involving someone named Sara and champagne cargo. The narrative follows: 1. A steamer labeled "60 CASES" passes through "the Straits" 2. Crew members on deck discuss their "high living during the voyage" 3. A captain reports striking something at sea ("looks something like a bottle yard, sir") 4. The ship appears damaged with debris in the water 5. The arrival scene shows officials and cargo marked "HOME FOR INEBRIATES" and "INVALIDS" The satire suggests Sara is smuggling or transporting champagne illegally, with the ship's crew consuming the cargo and the damaged vessel arriving at what appears to be a rehabilitation facility—implying the champagne caused chaos and drunkenness. The joke plays on maritime smuggling and alcohol consumption.