A portrait of a Dutch frigate viewed from before the starboard beam. Masts and sails are roughly sketched in; the fore course is shown clewed up and loosed, and the main topsail is lowered on the cap and set.

The masts and sails have been drawn in over a faint offset and part of the stern decoration has been strengthened with pencil. The main and mizzen masts, engine staff and position of the shrouds have been ruled in, a most unusual practice for either van de Velde and possibly by a later hand.

The drawing is approximately dated by the subject and style. Another drawing on the same paper (PAH3900) must be circa 1673.