An elevated distant, bow view, of the three-masted ship-rigged sailing vessel Granite State (1877) semi-submerged in the bay off Pedn Vounder Beach, near Porthcurno. In the background, at the end of the sweep of the bay's cliffs, is Logan Rock. In the foreground close to the cliff edge is the unnamed beach to the left of Porthcurno beach (looking out to sea). The immediate foreground and the left of the image is dominated by the rocks of the sloping cliff-face. The ship has a slight list to port. Its sails are furled. Five rowing boats are off its port and starboard sides.

The ship arrived at Falmouth from collecting wheat from the River Plate and then proceeded to Swansea. Granite State hit rocks aft and was towed by the tug Elliot & Jeffry but, taking on water, was beached at Porthcurno. The flooding of the ship caused the wheat to swell and the hatches to come off. A gale on 5 and 6 November resulted in the main mast going over the side and the ship eventually breaking up.