Hand-coloured lithograph depicting the HMS Diadem in port broadside view, at anchor in calm harbour waters, and drying sails. Alongside, a two-masted coastal vessel (Captain's gig?) shows crew disembarking. A number of other first or second rate ships of the line are shown in the background either hulked or unrigged. Diadem is the only steam vessel shown; probably deliberately to showcase her.

Diadem was one of an early group of wooden steam frigates designed by Admiral Sir Baldwin Wake Walker including Doris, Ariadne, Galatea, Mersey and Orlando. They had short livespans as they proved too large as wooden ships and consequently expensive to crew.