In 1889 Wyllie went as a press representative for the 'Graphic' newspaper during naval manoeuvres in Lough Swilly off the coast of Donegal in north-west Ireland. He was a guest on board the 'Black Prince’, which enabled him to make studies of everyday life on board ship. The result later that year was 'The Queen's Navy', an exhibition of 69 watercolours held at the Fine Art Society, London, an event that contributed to Wyllie being elected an Associate of the Royal Academy. While on board the 'Black Prince’ he made studies such as this one, which captures the ever-changing effects of the Irish weather on the landscape and sea.

‘Manoeuvres 1887’, appears at centre bottom of the watercolour but this is most likely a later inscription not written by the artist.