The second-rate warship ‘Formidable’ is shown being careened at the dockyard in the Grand Harbour at Malta. With the ship’s port underside exposed, dozens of men attend her from floating platforms and nearby boats, some depicted actively cleaning her hull. Several other rowing boats circulate in the still waters of the foreground, whilst behind at dockside activity centres on the base of the halyard holding ‘Formidable’ in place. Behind, more faintly drawn in a suggestion of aerial perspective, are the buildings of Birgu: at the bow of the careened ship, the church and convent of Santa Theresa in Bormla (Cospicua) is clearly visible, while at the stern of the ship is the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, also in Bormla. On the far right is the the San Gwann t'Ghuxa chapel and windmill. Beneath the windmill, the storehouse of the Knights of Malta with its distinctive line of columns is also clearly visible.

Inscribed: “H.M.S. Formidable. Malta Dockyard 31 Jany 1843”.

Hand-coloured. PAF8040 is a duplicate.