2-970-057 - /Heritage Images

The Grand Naval Review, at Spithead: Gun-Boats attacking Southsea Castle - sketched by E. Weedon, 1856. Ships of the Royal Navy taking part in a mock naval battle off the coast of Hampshire. 'The head of the White Division having anchored abreast of Fort Monckton, the remaining ships of that denomination formed an imposing front of attack against the gun-boats and floating batteries moored parallel to them. These, lolling like porpoises in the water as it was lashed into waves by the screws of their opponents, seemed silently and somewhat contemptuously to look on the preparations made against them'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.