The East India Company ship Warren Hastings, depicted in port broadside view, on a starboard tack, on the left of the picture, is being chased by the French La Piemontaise, shown in port bow view, also on a starboard tack. Both vessels are under full sail but have their lower mainsails raised for action. Their gun ports are open and their cannons ready.

This coloured aquatint depicts the start of a long action in the Indian Ocean on 21 June 1806 which resulted in the capture of the Warren Hastings by La Piemontaise. PAG9045 is a companion picture by the same artist, depicting the end of the action.