The Gothic Hall was open to visitors. In fact artists were allowed in free. The paintings were not displayed according to schools or chronology, but by size and colour. Backhuyzen’s Ships in a Storm is not shown on any of the interior depictions of the gallery. It was probably in one of the adjoining rooms, such as the Marble Hall or the Ball Room.
In 1843 the king commissioned Nieuwenhuys to compile a revised and more extensive version of his 1837 catalogue. Unlike the first edition, this volume is more of a catalogue raisonné and is divided into schools. Backhuyzen’s Ships in a Storm is listed under number 82 and the writer explains in enthusiastic terms that the painting dates from the artist’s best years and may be reckoned as a work in which his talent is shown at its best (où brille le mieux son talent).