A fifth rate English warship, possibly the Holmes, preparing to leave anchorage

This painting in an upright format is a so-called ship’s portrait. The ‘sitter’ is a ship, occupying the right foreground, port quarter view.
This painting, A fifth rate English warship, possibly the Holmes, preparing to leave anchorage, is a recent discovery. It was acquired at auction as by Jeronimus van Diest (a grandson of Willem van Diest). However it looked too good for that rather mediocre marine painter. When the old liner was removed a large signature appeared at the back of the original canvas (see pictures): and this confirmed that this was an original Willem van de Velde II. A major discovery!