A Brixham trawler, with its distinctive red sail is shown on the left of the painting off a rocky coast in a calm sea. Another smaller fishing vessel, also with a red sail, can be seen behind. The trawler is shown with a number of fishermen on board and they appear to be putting a small net over the side. A red buoy floats on the surface in the foreground and there is a variety of other shipping in the distance. A small paddle steamer is on the right moving in front of a large merchantman at anchor. To the right is another similar trawler.

Brixham was the Devon fishing port which was home to one of the world’s largest fleets of wooden sailing trawlers. These elegant wooden boats with their distinctive sails were first built in Brixham in the 19th century. The painting is signed ‘Adolphus Knell’.