Take up the sword of justice

First World War poster depicts a classical figure rising from the ocean, offering a sword to the viewer. A sinking ocean liner is visible in the background. The woman is wearing flowing Grecian robes, and has long flowing blonde hair covered with a blood-red shawl - the figure may be an allusion to Aphrodite rising from the sea foam, albeit an vengeful Aphrodite. She has an expression of horror on her face, and beseeches the viewer to 'take up the sword of justice' for the victims of the Lusitania; this was a luxury ocean liner that was torpedoed by the German submarine U-20 on 7 May, 1915. Drowning passengers from the Lusitania can seen surrounding the figure, struggling for survival in the ocean. The poster appeals to the viewer's sense of outrage and injustice for British civilian deaths.