Information recorded with the drawing suggests this represents the anniversary of Trafalgar at Greenwich in 1832 rather than 1830. The date 1832 seems to appear on the block of stone to the left, the artist's signature in the lower right corner.

The view is across the western foreshore, where Greenwich Pier now stands, towards the King Charles Court with the Governor's flag flying above it. Pensioners and visitors crowd the Five-Foot Walk, and inside the Hospital railings by the old west pavilion (later demolished). The flanking wall to the old drying yard bears a notice and graffiti (Nelson/Trafalgar/Nile) and a Pensioner sits on a large fish-keep amid other fishing gear in the foreground. Vessels in the river include a steamer in the distance. Though much more elaborate, the drawing's viewpoint and details relate it to an engraving by J. Henshall after Holland, see PAD2258. It is also the view, though with different figures and other detail in a large oil by Holland (35 x 53 ins) owned by the Fishmongers' Company, London. In the drawing the Chinese white used for highlighting has oxidized.