The picture is inscribed "Launch of the Steam Frigate Fulton the First at New York, 29th Octr 1814" but H.I. Chapelle in the Mariner's Mirror vol XVIII writes: "The Fulton of 30 guns was also built in 1915, the first war steamer in the United States; but she never saw war service". In 1840 and 1841 she took part in experiments to test various forms of armament in the US Navy. There is a less sophisticated version of this scene by G. Hayward also in the collection.