2-970-058 - /Heritage Images

The Grand Naval Review, at Spithead: Light Draught Gun-Boats of the White Division of the Flotilla - sketched by E. Weedon, 1856. Ships of the Royal Navy taking part in a mock naval battle off the coast of Hampshire. '...while the fleet had been steering to the Nab, the gun-boat flotilla had taken up its position for attacking the forts and floating batteries. The Blue Squrdron, under the command of Captain Telverton had anchored in order of battle to attack Southsea Castle. The White Squadron, commanded by Captain Keppel, was anchored in line to oppose the floating batteries and the forty mortar-vessels, extending upwards of a mile and a half in length'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.