Hand-coloured lithograph inscribed: (in French and English) "The first Division of the Baltic Fleet leaving Spithead" and below, (in French only): "Mars 1854". The 'Duke of Wellington' is the most prominently shown ship, placed port-broadside on in the foreground just left of centre, so as to show off her massive 131-gun armament. Placed in front and to the right of her is the royal yacht 'Fairy', which she dwarfs. Other ships depicted, from left to right (French spellings used): 'Amphion', 'Princesse Royale', 'Imperieuse', 'Arrogant', 'Ajax', 'Tribune', 'Royal Georges', 'Edimbourg', 'Hogue', 'Blenheim', 'St Jean d'Acre', 'Dragon' and 'Leopard'.

The plate has been signed bottom-right by its artist-engraver, "Louis le Breton".