The submarine 'V4' was built by Vickers Ltd at Barrow, launched on 25 November 1915 and completed on 15 March 1916. Her operational career was spent in the 8th Flotilla based at Harwich and latterly at Yarmouth. She was paid off in July 1919 and sold in October 1920. Despite some enquiry, there is no discoverable casualty incident that could have prompted this watercolour study, which is more likely to show a deliberate grounding on a sheltered East Anglian sandbank for an inspection of the hull and refloating on the next tide, as suggested by the calm conditions and unhurried poses of the men shown. Wyllie has identified the boat by 'V4' inscribed lower right.