This achromatic telescope has a tapering barrel covered with leather. It has a single silvered-brass draw tube and fittings, including a pivoted eyepiece cover, although the objective lens cap is now missing. It is typical of the sort of telescope used in the 19th century for making general observations at sea.

The names of both the maker and retailer are inscribed on the draw tube: ‘Dollond / London / Sold by J.C. Selby Portsmouth.’ In addition, the Roman numeral ‘I’ roughly inscribed on a hidden part of the draw tube was probably made during the manufacturing process. The telescope once belonged to Lieutenant Cornwallis Wykeham Martin RN (1833-70), who became a lieutenant in 1855.