The paddle steamer ‘City of London’ shown in port-broadside view, off the coast with land visible in the distance. The other sailing vessels shown suggest a British location and it may be in the Clyde since the artist was a lifelong resident of Greenock (and often known as 'Clark of Greenock'). The ‘City of London’ was an iron steamer built on the Clyde in 1844 by John Napier for the Aberdeen and London Steam Navigation Company. She was furnished with spacious cabins and state rooms. By the mid-19th century, regular paddle steamship services from London to many British and European ports were becoming established, and there were regular London- Scottish services up the east coast.

The National Maritime Museum also has a half block design model (SLR0821) of the passenger paddle steamer 'City of London' in its collection.