A woolwork picture said to have been worked by Alfred Allen while serving as a rating aboard HMS 'Warspite' 1884 in the Pacific in June 1893. It shows a mid-century warship under sail, flying the White Ensign, the Union Flag at the fore and a commissioning pennant at the main. The sea is worked in narrow stripes, and long diagonal stitches are used on the sails. The rigging is made of button thread. The embroidery is mounted in a maple frame.

Allen entered the Royal Navy in 1887, having volunteered for twelve years service. After an initial spell on various training ships, he served on 'Ranger', 'Osprey', and 'Wildfire'. He joined HMS 'Warspite' as an Ordinary Seaman in 1890 and left the Navy in 1895, by that time rated Able Seaman.