The second H.M.S. Bellerophon, 2,056 tons, to serve in the Royal Navy was launched at Portsmouth on 16 October 1818. Laid down originally as Talavera, renamed Waterloo before launching and then changed a second time to Bellerophon in 1824, she was a Third Rate mounting 80 guns. In action off the Syrian coast at the bombardment of St.Jean D'Arce in November 1840, she also served with distinction at the first bombardment of Sebastopol during the Crimean War where she was the last ship to withdraw from the engagement. Bellerophon finished her career as a receiving ship at Portsmouth and was finally sold out of the service in 1892.

This watercolour was illustrated in Lecky's famous reference work The King's Ships, 1913, where it is acknowledged as the property of the Misses Schetky.