The Yankey torpedo [graphic]Elmes, William, active 1797-1820, printmaker[not before 1 November 1813]eng"A sea-monster (left) discharges flames and missiles against a British vessel, represented by a corner of the deck (right), 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. The demon says to the skeleton: "Grapple him Citizen and I'll play one of my Infernal capers under his Bottom." The skeleton says to the sailor: "I'll tip you a Yankey Torpedo." The sailor: "Blow up my hull indeed-- you may Kiss my--tafferal--Mr Yankey doodle--"Shiver me--I'll tip you a taste of the Shannon and send you down to old Davy." From the torpedo's jaws, among the flames, come serpents; objects discharged against the ship are a cannon, pistol, powder-barrel, &c., all emitting fire, and also crowbar, scourge, chain-shot, spear, cross-bones, shears, hammer, pincers."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier stateTitle etched below image.Later state, with beginning of imprint statement burnished from plate.Date of publication based on complete imprint on earlier state: Pub. Novr. 1st, 1813, by Thos. Tegg, 111 Cheapside, London. Cf. No. 12090 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 9.Plate numbered "215" in upper right corner.Plate from: Woodward, G.M. Caricature magazine, or Hudibrastic mirror. London : Thomas Tegg, [1808?], v. 3.Leaf 72 in volume 3.