This coloured lithograph depicts a trial, in a heavy sea, of several naval ships off Dodman Point on 21st July 1831. Pantaloon, a 10-gun brig, is shown in the centre-left foreground, in port stern quarter view. She is heeling over on a port tack, under full sail, spray pluming off her port bow. All the other ships in the picture are under reduced sail. The Clown is slightly to leeward of Pantaloon, also on a port tack, while the Curacoa, Barham and Stag, on the right of the picture, are far behind on starboard tacks. Other ships are in two lines in the far distance. The coastline can be seen on the horizon.