A steer bullock, swimming in the water, is being pulled ashore by a rope attached to its horns by a man in the stern of a wooden rowing boat close the shore of Samson Island. The cattle had been rescued from the passenger/cargo liner Minnehaha (1900), which had grounded on Scilly Rock. The Penzance-registered fishing boat PZ 371 is anchored in the background with its mizzen lug hoisted to keep it head to wind while riding at anchor.

The Minnehaha ran aground on 18 April 1910 in fog on passage from New York to Tilbury. The 66 passengers, all First Class, and 171 crew were rescued and landed on Byrher, and about 200 of the 243 steers (castrated young bulls) were landed on Samson Island. The mixed cargo from Holds 2 and 3 were jettisoned, including crated new motor cars, grand pianos, machinery, sewing machines, carpets and other cargo going over the side to lighten the ship. Between 20 April and 11 May the ship was prepared for refloating (using compressed air to float it), and eventually came off the ledge. Minnehaha then proceeded under its own power to Crow Sound before continuing under escort to Falmouth.