HMS 'Edinburgh', shown with anti-torpedo nets out in a mock exercise against torpedo boats in about 1887. Smoke billows from her guns to the left. Torpedo nets were hung over the side of ships in an attempt to protect them against attack from small and fast surface torpedo boats. These carried two pole-spars with explosive charges attached to their ends and attacked by ramming. On approaching the target ship behind the nets, the torpedo-boat crews were exposed to immense danger. In the centre on the right a torpedo boat has been depicted with a small crew holding two of the long pole-spars, their explosive charges clearly visible. Other similar boats have been positioned closer to the ship, carrying out their attacks. A line of ships at anchor can be seen in the distance. The grey sky and cold blue of the sea indicate the unpleasant nature of the task undertaken by the torpedo-boat crews.

The artist was born in Italy but lived in Brazil until he came to England in 1876. In 1895 Queen Victoria appointed him Marine Painter in Ordinary. The painting is signed 'E de Martino' bottom left.