One of six fragments and a bag of very small fragments, which make up the earthenware mess plate , transfer-printed in blue with a royal crown in the centre and 'MESS No 1'. The border has a chain inner edge and a rope outer edge. It is decorated with three profile heads of Queen Victoria surrounded by oak and laurel branches, and three scenes of sailors waving flags with ships in the background. Before 1907 naval messes had to buy their own crockery and such items were manufactured for this market.