A woolwork picture depicting a third-rate ship, steam-assisted, at anchor and dressed overall with naval signal flags and red white and blue ensigns. Her yards are manned. A small paddle-steamer with two funnels is shown in the foreground. She wears a Red Ensign and what appears to be a broad pennant. The picture is embroidered in long and short stitch with the rigging in button thread. It is likely to depict a naval review.

The maker Charles Weedon was born at Portbury, Somerset in November 1833. He entered the Royal Navy on 23 February 1859 after serving in the merchant service. He was rated Able Seaman in HMS 'Algiers' and transferred to 'Leader' May 1863, also having spent a brief period in 'Duke of Wellington'. Although he had been promoted to Leading Seaman, then to Barge Cox, in July 1865 he was disrated to Able Seaman. He was discharged to HM Dockyard Sheerness in 1868 where he worked as a rigger. In 1869 in Bristol, he married Rosa Alberta Cook, age 27. The embroideries were donated by his daughter.