The quarterdeck and poop deck of the 80-gun three-decker HMS 'Superb' (1842). Inversed digital file to create b&w positive

A paper calotype negative. A view from the port side of the quarterdeck on the 80-gun second rate three-decker HMS 'Superb' (1842), looking aft towards the wheel with the poop deck and mizzen mast above. HMS 'Superb' was part of the Experimental Squadron sent to sea to test the Symonds designs against earlier warship designs. A sailor is standing to the right of the wheel with his hands on the spokes and a marine with ceremonial sash is standing to attention in front of the doors to the Captain's apartments. To the left of the marine is the Clerk's Office and on the opposite side to the right of the sailor is the Captain's Steward's cabin with its sash window. In the foreground is the hatch coaming for the gratings and companionway to the upper deck below. It is not certain who took the photograph, as both Talbot and Henneman, acting as his assistant, were on board at the time. (See article 'Talbot and Henneman, Mount Edgcumbe and Plymouth Dockyard Images' by Michael Grey in "The PhotoHistorian", Autumn 2014). Talbot and Henneman had arrived at Mount Edgecumbe by 20 September and Calvert Jones wrote to Talbot on 1 October 'You were fortunate in having such capital subjects as the experimental squadron and I shall be most anxious to see a specimen.'

Object number: P21CAL
Date: 1845
Original dimensions: 389 mm x 478 mm