English: "Her Majesty leading the Baltic Fleet to sea in H.M. Royal Yacht Fairy, 1854. From a picture in the possession of the Hon. Mrs Denham." (Original source caption)

This is a version of an oil painting by the Danish artist Vilhelm Melbye, 'The Baltic Fleet leaving Spithead, 15 March 1854'. It shows the Fairy, screw tender to HMY Victoria and Albert, with Queen Victoria on board, at Spithead at the departure of the Baltic Fleet to attack the Russian fortresses at Kronstadt and Sveaborg during the Russian War. To the right of the picture is HMS Duke of Wellington, the steam flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier. In the original painting the flag of the Vice-Admiral of the Blue can be seen atop the foremast. Napier was recalled in December 1854 after his failure to attack the almost impregnable Russian naval bases.

The original painting was in the possession of the Honourable Clara Agnes Denham-Cookes, 2nd daughter of Charles Brownlow, 2nd Baron Lurgan who married Lt Col George Denham-Cookes in 1887. Her sister Louisa Helene was Maid of Honour to Queen Victoria.

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