Rowlandson made a large number of drawings connected with the sea, particularly of travel by sea, with which he was well acquainted. He crossed to the Continent on a number of occasions on his way to France, Holland, Germany and Italy. He also visited the coasts of Britain, such as during his famous tour in a post chaise of 1784. On this occasion he made drawings on board the 'Hector' man-of-war in Portsmouth Harbour. The drawing is signed lower right 'Rowlandson'.