A scene on the deck of the 'Birkdale', looking forward from the poop deck. This complex composition shows the barque in full sail on a calm sea. The surface of the deck is covered with sails that are being repaired. Positioned in front of an open door on the left is a man wearing a flat cap, green top, white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, working on a sail. On the only visible open deck two figures lean against a rail, both with their backs to the viewer with a third figure shown emerging from below deck. The standing figure to the left is darkly dressed and in contrast the figure to the right wears light clothes and a broad-brimmed hat. The scene is full of closely observed detailing and is a highly stylized interpretation. Vertical emphasis of the masts and the horizontal spars create a geometrical discipline. The composition is enclosed for most of the painting except on the far right where blue of the sea and sky is visible. Everett has used form and strong contrasts of light and dark by shape and colour. The complex system of ropes and sails sets up a tension of rope diagonally from deck to sail. The sea and sky are bright blue and simply depicted with a large bank of cloud on the far right.

The sketch was made during Everett's trip on the barque, 'Birkdale'. His first journey after World War I, he sailed in her from Bristol to Sabine Pass, Texas, April-June 1920. The 'Birkdale' was due to take sulphur from Texas to the Cape, but when she arrived in Texas the ship was re-chartered to Australia and so Everett reluctantly left her and came home by steamer. The 'Birkdale', built in 1892, was the last barque to fly the red ensign and spent nearly all her working life in the Chilean nitrate trade. For a short time after World War I she switched to taking sulphur from Texas to the Cape. The 'Birkdale' went back to the nitrate trade and was wrecked on the Chilean coast after catching fire in 1927. Signed 'John Everett' and monogram bottom left.