This drawing, dated in pencil lower right 'May 28 1838', is probably unfinished and shows Mends's technique of laying in a series of flat washes to build up his composition, before adding final detail. The location is probably the main basin at Sheerness Dockyard, with ship-building sheds on the left. The ships on the left are simply laid up in reserve, with an old accommodation hulk in the centre with what appears to be a raft specially dedicated as a floating 'drying yard' for seamen's washing. It is an early drawing for Mends, at least in relation to those in the Museum's collection, done when he was about 24. He was then still only a 'passed midshipman' or mate and presumably at Sheerness, though in what capacity is not yet known.