A dramatic painting off Torbay in Devon during a storm. A Brixham trawler, with its distinctive red sail is shown in the centre of the painting making its way towards land in a heavy sea. The figures of the sailors are clearly visible on the steeply angled deck. Lightning over the headland in the distance stands out in front of the black storm clouds above. The sky lightens closest to the port. Riding out the storm and anchored in the clearer weather is a frigate shown broadside to port and flying the red ensign. Another ship is anchored close by partly obscured by the trawler.

Brixham was the Devon fishing port which was home to one of the world’s largest fleets of wooden sailing trawlers. These elegant boats with their distinctive sails were first built in Brixham in the 19th century. The artist came to live in South Devon, at Teignmouth in about 1807, where such a scene would have become very familiar to him. During his time in Devon he is known to have produced over 2,000 paintings. The painting is signed by the artist.