Two crew members sit on the floor of the deck to the right of the image, beside the riggings of the mainsheet which is on the left. The man at the front turns away from the viewer, facing right and in profile, with his left arm resting on the raised knee of his left leg whilst his right leg is outstretched. The man behind is shown in the shade of the sail, facing the viewer in three-quarter profile.

Inscribed: ‘Main Sheet. Hercules. Hon. Cap F Berkeley’ at lower left. Signed ‘T.S.R.’ at bottom-right corner.

Captain Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinghe Berkeley commanded the Hercules (3rd rate, 74 guns, launched September 5th, 1815) from March 25th, 1836 to August 1837. Robins probably made this watercolour during this time whilst travelling.

Medium includes graphite.