The artist of this drawing, Brooker (1827-70), was either additional master in the 'Spitfire' when he did it, or (from 5 November 1855) lieutenant, to which he was promoted for his skill in surveying the entrance to the Dnieper that year. His entire naval career from 1842, when he joined as a master's assistant, was spent as a surveyor, eventually in 1866-70 in command (as Commander in rank) of HMS 'Sylvia' surveying the west coast of Japan, Formosa and part of the China coast. The Museum holds drawings from that commission by James Henry Butt, who was a lieutenant under him in the 'Sylvia', and Brooker's career is described in L.S Dawson's 'Memoirs of Hydrography' (pp. 162-63). He was - as this example shows - 'an admirable water-colour marine artist' and a number of his drawings of the Crimean campaign were published as lithographs. He became ill during the last year of the 'Sylvia' survey and was forced to resign and return to England, probably early in 1870, where he died later in the year. [PvdM 5/10]