From the left, after the sloop, are shown in various positions ‘Seahorse’ (Hudson’s Bay Company), ‘Sceptre’, 64 guns, ‘King George’ (Hudson’s Bay Company), ‘Rodney’ (East Indiaman), ‘Ganges’, 74 guns, ‘Perseverance’, 36 guns, ‘General Goddard’ (East Indiaman) and ‘Major’ (East Indiaman), all with main and topsails set or being readied, pennants at the maintops and (with the exception of the sloop and Hudson Bay ships) red ensigns. The ‘Ganges’, placed centrally and most prominently, also flies a (pre-1801) Union Flag from her foretop. Some Portsmouth landmarks are dimly shown on the horizon at extreme left.

Previously exhibited at the NMM as no.20 in the 1975 Pocock exhibition: “The ‘Ganges’ and other ship departing from Portsmouth in April 1782”. Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1800 (no.751) under the current title.

The ‘Ganges’ was launched on the Thames in 1782, having been presented to the Government in 1779 by the Honourable East India Company. The three East Indiamen all departed from Portsmouth in the 1781-82 season. Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) archives indicate that ‘Seahorse’ and ‘King George’ sailed on the annual voyages to Hudson Bay between 1782-92 and 1781-1812 respectively. HBC ships regularly set out in early summer, returning usually in September; voyages were planned to avoid the winter ice. Thus it is quite feasible that Pocock’s depiction of two departing Portsmouth Harbour in the company of RN and EIC vessels is an accurate representation of a moment in April 1782, as suggested by this object’s previous title.

John Brent of the Rotherhithe shipbuilding partnership Randall & Brent retired around the time of this drawing's creation (see notes), which may explain Pocock's reprisal of a fifteen year-old scene.

Signed and dated by artist, bottom right. Portfolio.