| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART90449 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | sheet: 48.6 x 40.2 cm (deckle-edged); image: 44.8 x 39.8 cm |
| Object type | Work on paper |
| Physical description | brush, pen and ink, with scratching back, pencil on paper |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | c 1916 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Sink on sight
Description
Depicts the figure of a German naval officer, possibly Admiral Scheer (who conducted the German submarine campaign against shipping) and the ghost of SS Lusitania, in the form of a young woman, wearing a life belt, strapped to her chest. The German officer holds a paper order behind his back on which 'sink on sight' is written. The cartoon was published in the 'Daily Sketch', London, 1916 with the caption 'The Lucky Escape of Lusitania Victims'. Will Dyson was the first Australian official war artist to visit the front during the First World War, travelling to France in December 1916, remaining there until May 1917, making records of the Australian involvement in the war. He was formally appointed as an official war artist, attached to the AIF, in May 1917, working in France and London throughout the war. His commission was terminated in March 1920.