A view from the port side of the quarterdeck on board the Third Class cruiser HMS Sapphire (1904) looking into the gun shield of the aft 4-inch Quick Firing gun. The photographer was standing near the after searchlight platform, the edge of which can be seen on the right of the image by the speaking/listening tube. A tarpaulin is covering a large object in front of the barrel of the gun. The mast with signal flags flying of another warship is in the stances, obscured by the gun barrel.

The bottom on the emulsion side of the negative has the caption, with the 'S's spelt backwards: 'H.M.S. SAPPHIRE. AFT 4IN Q.'