Throughout his life Wyllie made studies of ships and all kinds of craft, which he used for reference for his paintings. Tugs like this would have been very familiar to Wyllie who lived with his family in the Tower House at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour from 1906 until his death in 1931. He may well have referred to this watercolour (or have made it specially) for the picture exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1922 ‘”With drums and rolling music, like a Queen": ships of the Atlantic Fleet play the ”Victory” into dock' (BHC3700). This picture shows the 'Victory' being towed into dry dock prior to her restoration, with a tug like this one at either side of her.