This watercolour shows the HMS 'Ganges' leaving Spithead, Portsmouth. She is not fully underway as only her upper sails are set. The artist seems to have taken liberties with depicting the movement of the wind; sails are shown to be billowing in various directions on each of the ships (note especially the boat on the far right whose jib sail is full while the flags hang limply). The masts on the ship to the far left appear to be facing different directions. The small boat just to the left of the 'Ganges' is riding very low in the water and seems to be carrying a heavy cargo, possibly cannons.

Inscribed in ink on reverse: "H.M.S Ganges August 8d 3h 30m 1826 Leaving Spithead".