Embroidered picture depicting a warship and two small lateen-rigged sailing vessels off a coast. Worked in black and yellow cotton thread on linen canvas. 'H.M. ship Rodney passing the Rock of Gibraltar 1840' is embroidered along the bottom. Originally one of a pair according to the donor, the other example is now lost. The picture is unframed.

HMS 'Rodney' was a second rate, 92-guns ship, built at Pembroke Dock 1833. She spent the early part of her career in the Mediterranean under the command of Captain Hyde Parker. In 1840, under the command of Captain Sir Thomas Mansell, she took part in operations along the Syrian coast. She reached Gibraltar on 27 September on the outward voyage from Plymouth. After further service in the Mediterranean in 1854-55, she was converted to steam in 1855. In 1867-70 she was the flagship of Sir Henry Keppel on the China station. She was broken up in 1882.