Peter Monamy was one of the first English artists to continue the tradition of Willem van de Velde the Younger’s marine painting into the 18th century and his work is representative of the early British school of maritime art, which still shows an overwhelming influence of the Dutch style. Monamy was self-taught, but may have worked in van de Velde’s studio in Greenwich.

Monamy was at the height of his career when he was commissioned to paint various scenes from the War of the Austrian Succession, 1740–48. This painting refers to the last notable action of the British campaign in the war. In 1745 Admiral Warren captured the fortress of Louisbourg on the island of Nova Scotia. To the French this meant the loss of the whole of Cape Breton Island, the key to the St Lawrence River.

In the composition the painter has adopted a commanding birds-eye view of the scene. Underneath a grandly rendered sky with one bold sweep of clouds rising up, the coastline of Nova Scotia can be seen. The spectator’s gaze is made to follow the victorious English ships heading in full sail towards the fortifications.