An interpretation of the Cunard White Star liner 'Queen Mary's' first arrival at Southampton, Hampshire, from her builder, John Brown of Clydebank. On arrival following her sea trials, she went immediately into the King George V dry-dock for completion of her internal fitting before her maiden voyage. Some of John Brown's fitters and joiners who were sent down to complete the work, can be seen waiting for her in the foreground.

This liner, along with the French 'Normandie' represented the apogee in size and comfort for ships on the pre-war North Atlantic route. Her decorations were contemporary and lavish, with work on her carried out by a team of some of the country's leading artists.

The ship, dressed overall with flags, is visible on the right, being towed into the dock by a tug to the left and a tug on the far right. The ship alongside on the far left is the Cunard liner 'Majestic' which the 'Queen Mary' was built to supersede. The ship workers stand in a group in the foreground to the left, with their backs to the viewer. Wearing their work clothes of jackets, coats and caps, they watch the arrival of the ship as aircraft fly overhead.

For some reason Pears did not quite complete the picture. The 'Majestic' is not finished and the 'Queen Mary' lacks the name on her bow, with which she certainly left the Clyde. The picture is signed bottom right, 'Chas Pears'.