'Equity or a sailor's prayer before Battle'

(caricature) Anecdote of the Battle of Trafalgar. When a ship had captured an enemy man-of-war or merchantman, the value of the prize was awarded to the captain and his crew. This was known as prize money. The captain received the greater portion, followed by the commissioned officers and then the warrant officers. A quarter of the prize money was distributed among the rest of the crew. This caricature depicts a sailor praying before the Battle of Trafalgar. The officer asks why, as victory is assured. The seaman replies that he hopes that the enemy's shot is distributed among them in the same proportions as the prize money.. Stunning Photo Gifts From National Maritime Museum