The Indignant Tar. (caricature)

Published in 1801 by J. Howett and illustrated by S.W. Fores, under the pseudonym Giles Grinagain, this print depicts a sailor standing before a judge and three men in the courtroom dock. The judge sits at a table with a book and quill and ink writing set. The sailor in a blue shirt and trouser stands before him with an angry expression, holding a black hat behind his back. The sailor points to the three guilty-looking men. One holds a watch and a chain. The judge says to the sailor: ‘Now in order to convict these notorious offenders! You must swear that they put you in bodily fear’. The sailor responds: ‘Then d—m my Eyes if I convict them – had there been Three Dozen instead of them Three lubberly rascals. Ben Block was not the man to be frighten’d – if they had not hopt out of a creek and taken me by surprise, I warrant I’d soon a’ made a clear Deck’. Inscribed beneath the illustration with the title and the publication line: ‘The Indignant Tar / Giles Gringagain in et / Published April 25 1801 by J Howett No.6 Panton Street’.

This print plays upon two historical stereotypes about sailors: their supposed carelessness with their valuables when ashore and their bluster and bravado. Here, the sailor’s prideful refusal to give a confession that he was threatened jeopardises the conviction of the thieves who robbed him.