Poor Mariners

Published by Laurie and Whittle in 1794, this print shows three sailors outside a tavern. Two are sitting at a table. One cuts a slice of bread, while the other drinks from a tankard and smokes a pipe. The third sailor is standing with a foaming tankard and points towards the sea and ship in the background. A woman brings out a dish of meat from the tavern. The inn sign features an anchor. Other impressions of this print include an inscription of the song ‘We be three poor mariners’ by Thomas Ravenscroft, but this impression has been cut down, removing the inscription. The song tells how the mariners risk their lives at sea while everyone on shore lives at ease, evoking sympathy for the hardships sailors endured.