A starboard side view, taken from ahead of the beam, of the barque rigged training ship Gorch Fock (1958) under sail in the Solent off Cowes. She was in the Solent for the Tall Ships Race to the Skaw which started on 16 August 1972. In the left background is a Royal Navy Rothesay class Type 12 frigate at anchor acting as guardship. There are a large number of small yachts, dinghies and motor leisure craft in the picture.