‘Batavier' was launched in 1855 by the Nederlandsche Stoomboot Maatschappij (NSBM) – the first regular foreign-owned service into London – to replace their first (1829) paddle steamer ‘De Batavier’, which was made into a coal hulk in that year. She is shown here in starboard broadside view, under sail and with her engines running, with both crew and passengers on deck, being hailed by an approaching boat.

‘Batavier’ flies from her mainmast the flag signal “P” (vessel about to put to sea) from the International (originally ‘Commercial’) Code of Signals, which was only introduced in 1857, suggesting this print was made at least a couple of years after her launch.