The picture is inscribed "Launch of the Steam Frigate Fulton the First at New York, 29th Octr 1814" but H.I. Chapelle in the Mariner's Mirror vol XVIII writes: "The Fulton of 30 guns was also built in 1915, the first war steamer in the United States; but she never saw war service". In 1840 and 1841 she took part in experiments to test various forms of armament in the US Navy. The launch of the steam frigate or floating battery Fulton the First is shown as an event of great excitement, with many onlookers in small boats and crowding on the piers. Lower left is inscribed: "Copied from a Sketch by Morgan taken on the spot". This picture is similar to the rather better quality line engraving of this subject by B. Tanner after J.J. Barralet from a sketch by Morgan, but has less sky above the building and without the four people on the roof.