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Whos to Blame?, 1875. Artist: Joseph Swain
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Whos to Blame?, 1875. Artist: Joseph Swain
Whos to Blame?, 1875. Vulcan makes no excuse to Britannia as she shows him the bill for the loss of the iron-clad man-of-war vessel that sank after a collision off the coast of Ireland. The Vanguard sank after colliding with the Iron Duke, but no lives were lost. A Court Martial cast most of the blame on Vice-Admiral Tarleton who was at the time in charge of the Channel Fleet. Blame was also laid at the door of the Captain, Dawkins, and other superior officers received reprimands. From Punch, or the London Charivari, September 25, 1875
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Media ID 14831315
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Anvil Britannia Chain Hammer Helmet Heritage Image Partnership John Tenniel Joseph Swain Sir John Tenniel Swain Tenniel Vulcan Allegorical Figure
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This print titled "Whos to Blame?, 1875" by Joseph Swain captures a powerful moment between Britannia and Vulcan. In the image, Britannia confronts Vulcan with a bill for the loss of an iron-clad man-of-war vessel that sank after colliding off the coast of Ireland. The Vanguard, which collided with the Iron Duke, resulted in no casualties but sparked a Court Martial investigation. The allegorical figure of Britannia represents Britain herself, holding her ground as she demands accountability from Vulcan, the god of fire and craftsmanship. Clad in robes and armed with a hammer and chain, Vulcan stands before his anvil - symbols of his trade - seemingly unapologetic. This satirical engraving is rich in symbolism and commentary on responsibility within British society during the 19th century. It portrays not only the blame placed on Vice-Admiral Tarleton but also highlights other superior officers who received reprimands for their roles in this maritime incident. Created by renowned artist Joseph Swain under the guidance of John Tenniel for Punch magazine's September 25th issue in 1875, this monochrome print serves as both social critique and historical documentation. It showcases Swain's skillful use of lines to convey emotion while capturing significant events of its time. As we observe this heritage image partnership print today, it offers us insight into Victorian-era satire while reminding us that even gods can be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof.
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