This is one of five views of royal dockyards (RCIN 401526, 401543, 405164, 405165 and 405166) executed by Paton with figures by John Hamilton Mortimer (1740-1779). Thomas Jones made reference in 1770 to the fact that 'Paton was engaged in painting Views of the principal Dockyards, and Mortimer had undertaken to paint the figures - for this purpose, on the 27th of this month [July 1770], They both set off for Portsmouth'. This shows the view of Dockyards at Portsmouth with a warship under construction flying the Royal Standard and the Admiralty flag; dockyard buildings in middle and background centre and four partly constructed ships in mid-channel. The harbour and the Solent are visible in the background on the right.