The subject is a very unique view of Old Portsmouth. It features the town side view of King George's Gate (Quay Gate). This view has never been recorded before to my knowledge. The key references are what is now the A Bar Bistro (American Hotel) at the lower left of the painting. It was called the Forfarshire Tavern at the time of this view. Another building is The Bridge Tavern which can be seen in the centre. The large building on the right was the Old Custom House. King George's Gate, The Old Custom House and Legg's Bastion (the fortification on the right) have all been constructed from original floor plans and are therefore very accurate. The bridge over to East Street was a swing bridge and the house just visible some way to the left, just above the rear arch of King George's Gate was the Harbour Master's Office. Gosport skyline includes Fort Blockhouse at Haslar, the hospital and in the distance, Fort Gilkicker before the earth bank was place around its front.