This work depicts the Allied fleet at anchor. In the left foreground is a starboard quarter view of a three-decker, presumably Rupert in the ‘Royal Sovereign’; the Union flag at the main, royal standard in the mizzen shrouds as a signal for a council-of-war, a red vane at the fore (inscribed ‘root’); there is no ensign displayed. Six boats are close under her stern. In the right foreground is a port quarter view of a small pink with her sail lowered. This is probably van de Velde, and there appears to be a very faint inscription to this effect. Several small craft are shown sailing round the flagship. In the left background there is a vice-admiral with three other ships. Across the right background, four ships including one (without a flag) inscribed ‘visad van vrancrijk’ (vice-admiral of France).

This is an unsigned pencil and wash drawing by the Elder.

The drawing has been much worked on with pen and wash, probably by Dominic Serres; it would be unrecognisable as an original if it were not for the inscriptions. The pencil-work is very faint and although the drawing has not been rubbed on the back, it may be an offset. This would offer possible explanation of why an inscription (apparently referring to no particular ship) occurs on the right of the drawing, while the vice-admiral to which it might refer is on the left.

After the first battle of Schooneveld, van de Velde did many drawings of the Allied fleet refitting and later lying off the Dutch coast before the battle of the Texel in August which ended the campaign for the year. This work is one of these drawings.