BM12090-the-yankey-torpedo-1813-0523
identifier:
BM12090-the-yankey-torpedo-1813-0523
title:
The Yankee Torpedo
date:
November 1, 1813
description:
A sea-monster discharges flames and missiles against a British vessel, represented by a corner of the deck, the taffrail inscribed 'British Oak'. On this stands a sailor, clapping his right hand to his posterior; his left holds his sabre, inscribed 'British Steel', with which he steadies himself, the point resting on the deck. He looks over his shoulder at the monster with a contemptuous scowl. In his round hat is a broad blue ribbon inscribed in large letters 'True Blue Dreadnought'. The monster, or torpedo, is barrel-shaped, with fanged and gaping jaws, a huge eye, and smoke, flame, and thunderbolts rising from its nostrils. On its back stands a demon holding the American flag and pointing to a skeleton, Death, which stands, clenching its fists in a pugilistic attitude, in the flames rushing from the torpedo's jaws. From the torpedo's jaws, among the flames, come serpents; objects discharged against the ship are a cannon, pistol, powder-barrel, all emitting fire, and also crowbar, scourge, chain-shot, spear, cross-bones, shears, hammer, pincers. Dialogue in speech balloons. Source: George.
description:
British Museum #12090
format:
24 cm x 35 cm
type:
Paper
type:
Etching, hand-colored
coverage:
London, England
relation:
LUCA2016.04 1813
subject:
War of 1812
subject:
United States
subject:
Navy
subject:
Great Britain
subject:
Satire
creator:
Elmes, William
relation:
Michalak Collection
source:
Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections