The present picture relates to the painting by George Lambert and Samuel Scott, dated 1731, and now in the India Office, London. Lambert and Scott never went to India but used John Harn's engraving of ' A Prospect of Fort St. George', 1710, as their source. Much of the detail in the background would appear to be imaginary.

Fort St. George was known for its shallow waters forcing ships to anchor away from the shore. Locals would then put out in smaller boats and ferry passengers and cargo to dry land.