Portrait of the ‘Grafton’, third rate, built in 1679 and rebuilt in 1700.

A finished and accurate drawing of the ‘Grafton’ viewed from before the port beam, and not apparently based on an offset. On the broadside the ship is shown carrying thirteen guns each on the gun deck and upper deck, three on the forecastle, six on the quarterdeck and two on the poop. A large correction has been made at the waterline which suggests the ship was drawn when she had no guns on board.

As in some other finished drawings done at this time, there are no figures shown on board; it is possible that such drawings were done from models. This one is inscribed ‘d grafton’ and a drawing in the Boymans Museum, Rotterdam (no. 346) probably shows the ‘Grafton’ at her lunching, viewed from the starboard bow.

Object Details

ID: PAH4117
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Velde, Willem van de, the Younger
Vessels: Grafton (1679)
Date made: circa 1680
People: Velde, Willem van de, the Younger
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 314 x 568 mm; Mount: 554 mm x 734 mm