An original watercolour of an American pilot boat coming to anchor in a slight breeze on calm waters against a distant coastline of low hills. A square-rigged ship is sailing away on the horizon. The vessel is schooner-rigged with two steeply sloping masts, a long bowsprit and sharp bow. Two men work on the foredeck, one hauling in the jib which hangs from the end of the bowsprit. Other hands work aft at the rigging of the mainsail and two figures stand amidships behind the rowing boat on deck. The gaff-rig foresail is gathered loosely to the mast while other sails remain hoist to retain manoeuvrability as the vessel comes to rest.