In the left centre is a starboard lee-quarter view of the ‘Rupert’ (‘Ruport’) in a moderate breeze with her mizzen set, her main topsail and topgallantsail braced up and drawing, and fore and mizzen topsails squared and shaking. In the fight background ahead of her is the ‘Garland’ (‘gaerlant’) in the wind, the ‘James Galley’ (‘J galeij’) with the wind of the port quarter, and the ‘Bristol’ (‘briesstol’) dead before the wind. In the left background, in starboard-quarter view, is the ‘Pearl’ (‘Parel’). A boat is pulling away from the ‘Rupert’ in the right foreground.

Captain John Wyborne was commissioned to the ‘Garland’ in 1672, the ‘Pearl’ in 1675, the ‘James Galley’ 8 October 1677, the ‘Bristol’ 21 October 1679, and the ‘Rupert’ 29 November 1678. His next commission was the ‘Happy Return’ 16 July 1681.

One of two (see also PAH1869) trial sketches for the same picture. Both are freely drawn with wash strengthened with dark brown ink over preliminary pencil. Slight clouds are added.