This is a crowded scene of ships, presumably including prizes from the Danish fleet seized by the British at Copenhagen; see Introduction to the sketchbook for the historical background. Here they appear to have entered the harbour and are either at anchor near the quay or surrounded by smaller boats. Finberg related this sketch to Turner’s Spithead: Boat’s Crew Recovering an Anchor (Tate N00481),1 for which also see the Introduction. There is no direct connection, however.
Martin Butlin and Evelyn Joll, The Paintings of J.M.W. Turner, revised ed., New Haven and London 1984, pp.60–1 no.80 (pl.90).