The NMM’s collection of van de Velde drawings includes a number, such as this example, which were probably intended for the instruction of member of van de Velde’s studio in the years around 1700.

The drawing is inscribed in Dutch at the top of the drawing 'Notabledienge een schip oft klijn vartugh / mest sineral in neer vallen d stuijvingh / mackt, aen merckt' (To be noted: a ship or small vessel in pitching nearly always throws up spray, as shown here). Beneath the inscription are two views of boats being towed in a heavy sea, one pitching and the other sending and heeling to port. Beneath are two views from before the port beam of ships in a heavy sea, with topmasts struck and yards acockbill (tilted by the lifts at a sharp angle), the upper one pitching and the lower one sending and heeling to port. The drawing is unsigned.