"W. Joy" is annotated in pencil on the mounting. This is a pencil rendering of Thomas Sutherland's aquatint after Whitcombe (see PAD5750; dated c.1818 by the BM), so is perhaps a study made by Joy, who went on to become a successful marine artist, exhibiting at the British Institution and Royal Academy in 1823 and 1824 respectively, and establishing a London practice in 1830.

Inscribed in pencil on back of the drawing: “Situation of H.M. Ship Bellerophon on the 21st of October 1805 at the time her gallant Commander Captain Cooke was killed by a ball from a French 74 “L’Aigle” – the two ships being in contact with each other, and the fore-yard of the former interlocked with the main-yard of the latter. El Monarca, Spanish 74 (taken… by the Bellerophon)… to windward – a French Line of Battle ship on the lee quarter – and receiving a raking fire from the “San Juan Nepomuceno” (Spanish 74) astern, and that of another of the Enemy’s ships ahead…” followed by a description of the subsequent action.