A painting of shipping in a heavy sea. In the foreground on the right a Dutch ship is shown lowering its sails as it rides out the storm. Figures can be seen on deck bringing the sails down. The ship flies the Dutch flag from the mainsail and stern.

The artist has set the ship against a lighter patch of sky to add to the dramatic effect of the storm. By contrast, on the left, a British ship is shown against a sky darkened by a squall. She is being tossed on the waves as she lowers her foresail. Other shipping can be seen in the distance and on the right.