'Launch at Deptford Dockyard', c 1750.

Oil painting by John Cleveley The Elder (1726-1777). John Cleveley was a celebrated British marine artist who produced large-scale paintings of naval and merchant ships as well as seascapes, portraits and harbour scenes. He lived and worked in London, England. The Royal Naval Dockyard at Deptford was established in the early 16th century by Henry VIII. It was the Royal Navy's main shipbuilding dockyard until overtaken in importance by Chatham in the 17th century. Deptford continued to be important as a location for repairing Royal Navy vessels until it closed in 1869. The Master Shipbuilder was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the dockyard.