Photograph of HMS Victory as viewed from the rear with the starboard side visible. In the left of the foreground is a small sailing boat with three sails. In the background is the city of Portsmouth. 

Wilson made a series of photographs of warships that were taken in Plymouth in 1861 and Portsmouth in 1862. This photograph is from the latter series and shows HMS Victory lying in anchor in Portsmouth Harbour with her starboard side facing the viewer. Built at Chatham Dockyard and launched in 1765, Victory was Vice Admiral Nelson's flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. In 1922, following structural weakness sustained by more than 150 years spent afloat, the decision was taken to dry dock the ship in Number 2 of Portsmouth harbour where Victory has remained since.