This picture depicts the commencement of the (ultimately unsuccessful) Siege of Petropavlovsk, home base of the Russian Pacific fleet, by an Anglo-French force in 1854 – the main military operation in the Pacific Theatre of the Crimean War.

On 29 August (Gregorian calendar) a combined squadron of six ships, mounting over 200 guns and commanded by Rear Admiral Price and Rear Admiral Fevrier de Pointe, appeared in front of Petropavlovsk, and dropped anchor in Avacha Bay. In this picture they are apparently arranged from left to right in the foreground as follows: ‘Virago’, 6, paddle steamer, Commander Edward Marshall; the French flagship ‘La Forte’, 60, frigate (shown in port-broadside view in the centre left of the picture); ‘Obligado’ (French), 18, brig; the British flagship ‘President’, 50, frigate (shown partially obscured behind ‘Obligado’), Captain Richard Burridge; ‘Eurydice’ (French), 30, corvette, and ‘Pique’, 40, frigate, Captain Sir Frederick William Erskine Nicolson, Bt. (her bow and foremast only shown). Behind the ships, Russian fortifications and ships are indicated against a steeply mountainous coastline.

The siege was not a success; when the allies withdrew a week later after two failed landing operations, they had lost five times as many men as the Russians.

Inscribed (in French and English): “Question d'Orient. Petropawlowski. An Anglo-French Division bombarded the Forts in Awatscha Bay (Kamschatka) 29th of August 1854.”

Signed in plate bottom-left LEBRETON (preceded by an anchor).