1-150-734 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage Images

'Our Merchant Navy', 1874. Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh refers to Britain's need for fit and ready sailors. Mr Samuel Plimsoll was pursuing his fight against the often deliberate overloading and subsequent loss of ships and crews. This cartoon relates to a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh in September 1874 to Liverpool where he had opened a new Seamen's Orphanage. In his speech, he referred to the need for new recruitment of sailors. From "Punch, or the London Charivari", October 10, 1874.