The silver oar - versus - the white wand - or - the helmsmen.

The silver oar - versus - the white wand - or - the helmsmen. © National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: PW3770

Description: The silver oar represented the authority of the Admiralty and was carried whenever a pirate was executed in London. In popular culture it was used to highlight the Admiralty connection, as in this satire on the relationship between King George IV (centre), the Duke of Wellington - the Prime Minister at the time (left), and the future King William IV (right).

Creator: John Fairburn [publisher]

Date: August 1828