The Falmouth packet, Penguin, is depicted under full sail in a following wind, in starboard side view. A smaller, single-masted coastal vessel, also flying a British flag, with its spinnaker booms out, follows in the wake of the Penguin. A castle, with a flag hoisted on its tower, is perched above the sheer cliffs of the coastline. The buildings of a settlement can be seen on the far left of the painting.

This watercolur includes bodycolour and scraped highlights.