Signed and inscribed by the artist lower left: 'H.M.S. Eurydice. Capt Anson / weighing off the castle of Mozambique / Feby 10th 1849'. Inscriptions at the bottom also identify 'St Iago Island' and 'Fort St Sebastian' to either side of the ship, which is making sail in starboard bow view.

Mends was first lieutenant of the 'Eurydice' (22 guns, Captain George Talavera Anson) on the Cape of Good Hope station from October 1846 to early 1850, and this is presumably a record of that commission, though not necessarily done on the spot or at the date given.