One of a series of drawings made in autumn 1664 when Van de Velde was attached to the Dutch fleet. On the threat of war with England a large fleet was assembled under Lieutenant-Admiral Jan van Wassenaer for the protection of merchant ships bound for Guinea. Van de Velde joined it in late August.

This drawing shows the departure of deputies from the States admiralties, who visited Wassenaer frequently in October and November. In the left centre foreground is a States yacht in the wind, in starboard quarter view, with flags at masthead and peak. Other boats are alongside. In the left and right foreground respectively are a ship of the rear squadron and a ship of the centre squadron shown in stern view, both at anchor and firing salutes. In the centre middle distance is a ship at anchor in starboard broadside view, with flag and pendant at the main, presumably the ‘Eendracht’. Further to the right is the vice-admiral of the centre squadron, and on the left is the admiral of the van with the Flushing jack, presumably Jan Evertson in the ‘Zeelandia’. In the distance to the left is ‘Hellevoetsluis’.