A commemorative image showing the James Watt (shown starboard bow) flying the colours of the nations and manned at the yards. In the distance on her left are three more such ships decked in the same manner, as is the ship on her right. In the foreground is a royal barge with rowers, shown in port quarter view. A buoy floats in the left foreground. Three sailing boats in total can be seen around the image on both sides of the image and in the centre foreground.
Illustration for a coloured supplement of the Illustrated London News, 26 July 1856, related to the following passage:
‘“The Queen’s Birthday” requires few comments of ours. A nobler sight is not to be imagined or limned than one of these new leviathans, a screw-propelled first-rate, decked with the flags of all nations, surmounted with the Royal Standard – as she appeared on May 23rd last, when the accompanying Illustration was sketched.’ (p. 84)

Badly torn, handle with extreme care.