The Yachts and Ships at anchor near Sheerness, c.1677 (graphite, grey wash)

Creator: Willem van de Velde, the Elder Drawing part of a series depicting the journey of William of Orange and Princess Mary to Holland, Nov [OS]/Dec 1677. Van de Velde made a series of at least 56 drawings of the various stages of the journey. Most of them are at the Boymans-van Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam. This drawing shows the yachts and ships at anchor near Sheerness, possibly 21 November [OS]/1 December 1677. In the right foreground, the starboard bow view of a yacht at anchor with wherries alongside and a hoy under her stern. To the left, the bow view of another yacht, and in the background, several ships swinging in different directions. It is believed to be one of the drawings made while the yachts were waiting for a favorable wind off Sheerness.