On board the Royal Navy torpedo ram Polyphemus (1881) while in an unknown Mediterranean anchorage. The photographer is looking aft from the bow showing men hoisting a 14 inch torpedo using the starboard torpedo davit on the forecastle. The starboard anchor davit is swung outboard in the foreground. At the fore end of the flying deck the compass and the bridge wings have been given canvas screens. The top of the mast is out of the picture.