The St*****e, a republican gunboat constructed to sail against wind and tide [graphic]

"Stanhope swims beside a small two-masted sailing-vessel, dragging it against wind and stream. His head and chest are in the position of a figure-head, his right arm is outstretched, holding a tricolour flag, his left arm is stretched behind him holding the tiller, and he kicks at the rudder with the left foot, his leg being raised above the water from the knee. He is pushed forward by a dolphin-like monster swimming (right) behind the vessel, which prods the skirts of his coat with a trident. The monster wears a French cockade; his tail waves in the air. From a staff in the stern, surmounted by a cap of 'Liberty', flies a flag: 'Equality & Fraternity'. Stanhope breasts the rippled water, which flows strongly against him, inscribed (left) 'The Current of public Opinion'. A small vessel (left) in the background sails left to right, her sails inflated. From the upper left margin projects a head blowing a blast of 'Loyalty' against 'The Stanhope'."--British Museum online catalogue