below imprint, printed from a separate copperplate, a transcription of a letter from Smith to to the Commander in Chief, Lord Keith, dated from the Antelope at anchor off Ostend, 17 May 1804. This gives a very detailed account of the action with a return of the killed and wounded of each ship, naming the officers. Text begins:] My Lord / Information from all quarters, and the evident state of readiness in which the enemy's armaments were in Helvoet, Flushing, and Ostend, indicating the probability of a general movement from those ports ... [bottom left, left of text, a summary of the British force; bottom right, right of text, a summary of the enemy force

Between March 1803 and May 1804, Smith commanded a squadron of small vessels which were blockading the Flemish coast, engaging in actions such as that shown in this view.

George III catalogue entry: Naval Engagement View of the Squadron under the command of Sir W.m Sidney Smith engaging the Enemy's Flotilla consisting of 59 sail, Brigs, Schuyts, Schooners and Praams, near Ostend, on the 16.th of May 1804: by R. Dodd: with a copy of Sir W. S. Smith's Letter to Lord Keith.