The veteran Napoleonic-era ships 'Asia' and 'Albion' are shown making their way back to Portsmouth after fighting in the Battle of Navarino, which took place on 20 October 1827. The engagement was part of the Greek War of Independence, in which Britain, France and Russia joined forces to destroy an Ottoman fleet in order to save the fledgling Greek Republic from collapse. While hailed by the British public it was in fact a political embarrassment to the British government, which had been attempting to avoid conflict with Ottoman Turkey in order for them to remain a check on Russian expansionism. Admiral Codrington, as British commander-in-chief, was considered to have exceeded his instructions in his attempts to face down the Turks at the risk of a battle starting accidentally, which is what happened after a musket skirmish between small craft lit the fuse of a full-scale action. Technique includes etching. Technique includes etching.