This achromatic telescope is typical of the type used on board ship in the 19th century. It has a tapering leather-covered barrel, a single brass draw tube and brass fittings. Part of the eyepiece assembly is now missing and the objective lens assembly and cap are later replacements – the original objective lens also survives and has a sliding lens cover. The maker's name is inscribed on the draw tube as 'Syeds, Rotherhithe, London'. A second inscription on the collar of the barrel reads 'Captain Superintendent's Office Deptford', below which is the government mark of a broad arrow.