# A Creditable Collision explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A satirical poem describes a maritime collision in Imaginary Bay where a steamer cuts through another vessel. The passengers panic and scramble, the crew meets their fate with alacrity, and afterward a court of consuls, inspectors, coroners, and objectors rules it a 'spontaneous collision,' commending the skippers for feeding the lobsters.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Satire

The absurd court proceedings and verdict satirize bureaucratic and legal systems.

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The court's ruling of 'spontaneous collision' and commendation of the skippers highlight institutional hypocrisy.

## Key lines

> There was once a brave collision In Imaginary Bay, When a steamer with precision Clove its comfortable way Through another, which had hospitably stood To receive it, as a civil steamer should.

A steamer deliberately crashes into another ship that was waiting to be hit.

_Sets up the ironic tone of the poem._

> The unanimous decision Of that high and mighty court Was 'spontaneous collision'— (I am quoting the report) And the skippers were commended who had fed To the lobsters each a bellyful of dead.

The court ruled the crash accidental and praised the captains for providing corpses to lobsters.

_Satirizes legal absurdity and moral indifference._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/a-creditable-collision
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters