An atmospheric painting showing a Danish ship with other vessels, becalmed. Flying the Danish flag from the stern she is shown in starboard-bow view with her sails down. A number of figures are visible on board and several small boats are active around her as she waits for wind in order to set sail. To the left two other ships are in the same predicament, the ship furthest left has parts of her masts missing. Other shipping can be seen in the distance on the right. In the foreground are several floating barrels or buoys, on the left is a small rowing boat, and on the right a small fishing boat. The two figures on board are busy with their nets.

The artist has been influenced by the work of J.M.W. Turner in his use of vivid colour and dissolved form amidst a seascape. Little is known about the painter William McAlpine who was active between 1840 and 1880, and has signed this image ‘McAlpine’.