The ship was launched in 1682 and is is flying the Royal Standard of William III which gives the approximate date of the painting. It has previously been described as 'style of ' Sailmaker, but this is practically meaningless. On quality there is no reason to doubt the attribution and no identified alternative has yet been suggested. The composition is also very simlar to a print after Sailmaker identified as showing the 'Sovereign' in her final form (PAI6674). [PvdM 11/11].

The Britannia is shown in two positions. The broadside view agrees very closely with the drawing by Vaan de Velde the Elder, probably made in 1685, butt the drawing Sailmaker used for the stern view is not known. The flags in Sailmaker's paintings are later than those in the drawing. The anchor in the admiralty flag is horizontal, a form used after 1688, and the Royal Standard has William III's inescutcheon in the centre. M.S. Robinson dates this design from 1695, after Mary's death, until 1702 when William III died (Van der Welde drawings... in the National Maritime Museum, vol. 1, p.229)