This is one of a set of three small was drawings (PAD8838, 8839 and 8840) showing the use of Manby's mortar apparatus for throwing a light line to a ship wrecked close to shore, as the basis for establishing a stronger link to rescue the crew. They may just be studies for different treatments, since, while this one and PAD8840 might be a pair, PAD8838 is of a different setting and ship. This one appears to show the mortar on the beach, before firing, with a lifeboat attempting unsuccessfully to approach the stricken vessel. Pocock exhibited two larger watercolours of the subject at the Old Watercolour Society in 1811, of which NMM PAJ2786 appears to be the second, as well as two oil paintings (done for Manby and now in the Castle Museum, Norwich) at the Royal Academy in 1815. The inventor was the militia captain and Great Yarmouth barrack master George William Manby (1765-1854). For further details see PAD8838. [PvdM 10/08]