A historical depiction of the Hermione being towed by six rowing boats. The Hermione is viewed from the starboard-quarter side, across calm seas, with only her square sails at the mizen and fore unfurled. ‘HERMIONE’ is inscribed on the stern of the ship on the upper counter. Crew members on the rowing boats look back on the Hermione, raising their hats in the air. Land dominates the background with two forts present on the left and a vessel on the far right.

Inscribed: ‘TO CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD HAMILTON Kt. this View of Towing the HERMIONE out of the Harbour of PORTO CAVALLO, after Cutting her Cables and gaining Possession of the Quarter Deck is most respectfully Inscribed by his Obedient humble Servant Robt Dodd’

J.J. Colledge ‘Ships of the Royal Navy, Vol. I’ gives the following details of Hermione: ‘Handed over to the Spanish in the W. Indies 22.9.1797 by her mutinous crew. Recaptured 25.10.1799 and renamed Retaliation: renamed Retribution 31.1.1800…’. Captain Edward Hamilton commanded the Surprise, 28 guns, and led a party of six of her boats with great gallantry, when they recaptured the Hermione on the night of October 24th, 1799. Hamilton was knighted for his conduct.