Samuel Scott - A first-rate shortening sail

A flagship, on the right, is shown either letting fly her sheets to reduce speed or, perhaps in contradiction to the modern title, shaking out sail to proceed. There is some doubt about the identity of this ship, although it is probably the 'Britannia', 100 guns, the only first-rate in commission in the Admiralty list at the date of the painting. If so, she is shown as flagship of Sir John Norris, Admiral of the Fleet and Commander-in-Chief in the Channel in 1735, with the Union flag flying at the main and the red ensign from the stern. A gun is firing a salute from the bow. The decks are full of sailors and several figures are shown climbing the shrouds. The two officers looking at the rest of the fleet from the gallery of the Admiral's great cabin in the ornately carved stern imply that an important moment is being recorded in the painting. Several sailors are positioned in the tops (the platforms of the masts) which have distinctive red canvas side panels. Since the 'Britannia', sailed for Lisbon in June 1735 following a refit in 1733-34 this may be the event recorded.