The Dutch fleet lying-by, May 1672. The fleet is lying-by in a swell, most of the ships with sails furled. In the foreground is a port bow view of a galjoot with a snow, starboard quarter view, close alongside to starboard. In the right middle-distance is Rear-Admiral De Haen in the ‘Gouda’, starboard bow view; and over to the left is Vice-Admiral Sweers in the ‘Oliphant’.

A few slight additions in pen and brown ink may be by the Younger. A dotted line in brown ink by the bow of the ship on the right indicates the correct waterline to make the ship appear the right size relative to the vessels in the foreground.

It appears to have been drawn when Van de Velde was with the Dutch fleet before the battle of Solebay, May 1672.