This book provides an account of the 150-plus members of the Society since its founding, with colour illustrations of their work in many cases. The main part of the book covers themes in marine painting and is divided into sections covering: Sail; War Artists and Matters Naval; River Coast and Estuary and the Steam Era. There is a section covering the history of the Society from 1939 to 1995 and a directory of members. The appendices list officers of the Society from 1946 to 1995, Honorary Vice Presidents, the Pears Prize Winners and the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights' Award Winners.