An interpretation of the loss of the French three-masted barquentine (schooner?) Tabasco (1879) off the coast of White Island, Isles of Scilly. The ship is below the cliffs having lost the foremast, the upper main mast and mizzen topmast. Crew are climbing ashore across fallen rigging onto the cliffs. Two open rowing boats are off the port bow a short distance from the ship. In the far distance, on the left, is the day marker on St. Martin's Head.

The French three-masted barquentine (described as a schooner by the Glasgow Herald, 26 March 1879) Tabasco (1897) was on passage from Greenock to Bordeaux with a cargo of coal and beer when the ship struck rocks soon after the lookout saw them. It seems that neither lead line or log had been used to fix a position. Four crew left the ship in the boat and the remaining, including the captain, got ashore via a ladder from the ship to the rocks. By daybreak the ship was 12ft underwater. The wreck was sold and 80 tons of coal landed, selling for 6 shillings and 7 shillings per ton. It appeared that the captain believed the Seven Stones Lighthouse was the one at Trevose Head.