A port-broadside view of the Invincible on rough seas, one of three Gloire-class wooden-hulled ironclad frigates built for the French Navy in 1858-62. Flanking her in the distance are several other ships, one on her left, one in the right foreground, and two in the right background. A small shipwreck can be seen off-centre in the foreground to the left.
There are inscriptions identifying some of the ships. The one on the left has been identified as the Couronne; this is unlikely as the ship depicted is also a Gloire-class frigate. The Couronne was the first iron-hulled ironclad warship built for the French Navy in 1859-62 and her appearance is much closer to the vessel depicted partially hidden behind smoke in the right distance of the image. Further in the distance appears another vessel similar in appearance to a Gloire-class frigate, identified in an inscription as the Normandie. It is probable that this image shows all three Gloire-class frigates, including the Gloire herself. The small vessel in the right foreground is a steam advice boat (‘aviso à vapeur’).

Hand-coloured.; Plate No.1.; Signed by artist in plate.