Drummond did many versions of Nelson being carried below deck at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805: there are eight in oil in UK public collections (of which the NMM has three) and others in private hands. Most are open deck scenes but this boldly executed sketch instead looks up from below the weather deck, with the group carrying the mortally wounded admiral coming down the companionway. It may be a preliminary study for the more finished oil version now in the Nelson Museum at Monmouth, Wales, or - since done within a lined border and formally signed in ink by the artist at lower right - a replica version quickly done for some other purpose now unknown. [PvdM 6/19]