The harbour of St Peter Port is shown with Castle Cornet on the left and the quay on the right. Isolated on the rocky islet, Castle Cornet is Guernsey's ancient harbour fortress. In the centre right is a merchant brig, in port-bow view, flying the red ensign. Figures are on board preparing to drop anchor and furl the sails. In the foreground on the right a two-masted lugger has already lowered its sails and is preparing to land. On the left other shipping at anchor in the bay includes a man-of-war flying the blue ensign. A cutter is sailing out of the harbour on the far right. A number of figures are standing on the harbour wall, including a soldier wearing a red jacket. In the distance buildings are visible on the hill and the fort is shown on top of the cliffs in the distance on the far right, with cliffs visible beyond.

Guernsey's sheltered harbour meant the island was important for its fishing and shipbuilding over a long period. It was also a base of English privateers and the presence of forts indicates the necessity of providing protection. By the 1800s, many wealthy French people, fleeing the Revolution, set up home in the Channel Islands. There were 16 forts and 58 coastal batteries built to defend the island from the French prior to the Battle of Waterloo.

Whitcombe was born in London in about 1752 and painted ship portraits, battle scenes, harbour views and ships in storms. Although his output was vast, little is known about him. He produced a large number of subjects from the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, 1793-1815, and exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1783 and 1824. His depiction of ships implies specific knowledge of life at sea, although he probably spent most of his career in London. Many of his works were engraved and they included 50 plates to James Jenkins's account of 'The Naval Achievements of Great Britain', published in 1817. In 1796 the artist exhibited a painting 'A storm, Castle Cornet, Guernsey' at the Royal Academy. This painting is signed.