The chaotic and crowded scene depicts the Battle of the Glorious First of June 1794 between the British and French naval fleets off the French coast at Ushant. The sails of all the ships are badly holed and some ships have lost their masts. Cannon smoke billows between the vessels. In the foreground sailors cling to the wreckage of a ship’s hull and rigging. The French flagship, the Montagne, under command of Rear-Admiral Villaret Joyeuse, is depicted in port stern quarter view on the centre right of the image. The British flagship, Queen Charlotte under Admiral Howe, in starboard broadside view, is on the centre left.

This battle was the first fleet action in the French Revolutionary Wars. The British Channel Fleet under Admiral Lord Howe was attempting to prevent a French convoy, carrying grain from America, reaching the French coast. The convoy was protected by the French Atlantic Fleet. Both sides claimed a glorious victory, but both fleets were badly damaged. Although the grain convoy did reach the French coast, the French ships were so damaged that they were out of action for some time.