(Recto) HMS 'Vengeance' at anchor in Port Mahon, 26 May 1852; (Verso) The 'Charlemagne' with 'Trafalgar' leaving Port Mahon under tow by 'Firebrand', 1 June 1852 RMG PZ0868-001

(Recto) HMS 'Vengeance' at anchor in Port Mahon, 26 May 1852; (Verso) The 'Charlemagne' with 'Trafalgar' leaving Port Mahon under tow by 'Firebrand', 1 June 1852
No. 20 of 36 (PAI0849 - PAI0884).
(Recto) Inscribed top left, 'Port Mahon / H.M.S. Vengeance - May 26th 52 / Capt Lord E[dward] Russell-'. This slight sketch shows the shop anchored in starboard bow view with her port boom out and boats moored to it. The dome of the building on high ground behind resembles that of the old convent in the centre of Mahon, but does not seem to be surrounded by sufficient town buildings to support that identification - though the ship is clearly moored in the sheltered harbour.
(Verso) Inscribed in the top left 'Port Mahon -/ Harbour - June 1st 1852' and across the top 'French 90 gun ship Charlemagne / screw' and 'Trafalgar in tow of Firebrand', the last being a steamer. All three ships are seen in stern view off the starboard quarter, the two main ones very close together, 'Charlemagne' being at anchor, and the 'Trafalgar' presumably leaving port. The exact location is a little unclear: if it is inside Bloody Island, then that is the eminence behind 'Firebrand' (with one of the buildings of the old naval hospital flying the Spanish flag) and the 'Firebrand' is towing out round the island's south side. However, it might be the outer harbour and the Spanish flag flying on fortification on the north headland, much of which was later rebuilt.

HMS 'Vengeance' at anchor in Port Mahon