‘Ganges’, shown in port-broadside view, dominates the picture, riding at anchor in a calm, against a backdrop suggestive of a naval base or shoreside warehousing.

Inscribed below on the left: “Lit. de Jacobsen hermos Valparaiso”; and in the centre below: “H.M.S. Ganges. 84 Guns / Respectfully dedicated to Rear Admiral Baynes C.B. / Capt John Fulford and the Officers of H.M.S. Ganges / by J. Dixon R.N.”.

The lithographer’s inscription, which previously has been treated as one long name, is more likely to be a Spanish way of saying “Lithographed by Jacobsen, [of] beautiful Valparaiso”. This makes sense in the context of the ‘Ganges’’ career, being as she was re-commissioned for Pacific duties in 1857.

Robert Lambert Baynes was a rear-admiral from 7.2.1855 to 5.8.1861, but his C.B. was advanced to K.C.B. in 1860. John Fulford was captain throughout the period (W Laird Clowes, “The Royal Navy – a history”, vol.6, p.549; and vol.[7?], p.572).