This achromatic telescope is typical of the type used on board ship for general observations at this time. It has a tapering barrel covered with leather, a single silvered-brass draw tube and silvered-brass fittings that include a sliding eyepiece cover, an objective lens cap and a sliding sunshade.

The maker's name is inscribed on the draw tube as 'Ross, / London.' A second inscription on the draw tube records that the telescope was a gift to 'Charles T.M.D. Scott, R.N. from P. Francis Cust'. Several parts also have the numerals ‘VI’ roughly inscribed on them, probably as part of the manufacturing and assembly process.