Huggins painted ships for the East India Company in Bombay and China before returning to England around 1817; he was appointed Marine Painter to William IV who commissioned these three scenes of the Battle of Trafalgar (RCIN 407180, 406793 and 406187). Huggins received £90 for the last of the series (probably 406793) on 25 July 1835. Two scenes, the first painted but depicting the first and third episdode in the battle (RCIN 407180 and 406187), were exhibited at Exeter Hall in the Strand in the spring of 1834. The heavy storm which struck the fleets on 22nd October 1805; on the right the 'Santissima Trinidad' is dismasted and rolling heavily to the right; the 'Victory', centre, rolls to the left; other ships; rowing boats rescue men from the sea.