During the course of 1798 and 1799, the 'Argo', under the command of Captain James Bowen, captured two Spanish ships and recaptured from the Spanish the British sloop 'Petrel'. The Russian ship on the right must be one of the frigates which joined the British blockading force in the Mediterranean at this time. The drawing is signed and dated 1799. On the verso side it is inscribed in pencil: 'Gibraltar Bay. Argo and Russian line of Battle Ships 1799 with French and Spanish Fleets passing the Straits after having been up the Mediterranean.'

Buttersworth joined the navy aged 27 in 1795. He was rated an able seaman, but shortly afterwards was appointed master-at-arms, and in 1800 a midshipman. In the Museum's collection there are a number of Mediterranean naval subjects (1797-1800) by Buttersworth which strongly suggest that he was there.