On 22 April 1920, Everett sailed from Bristol for Sabine, Texas, as third mate of the barque 'Birkdale'. This voyage resulted in many drawings and paintings. The 'Birkdale', built in 1892, was the last barque to fly the red ensign. She spent nearly all her working life in the Chilean nitrate trade and was wrecked on the Chilean coast after catching fire in 1927. The viewpoint in this image is taken from the bowsprit, looking aft. The unusual perspective creates the effect of the barque moving rapidly through the waves. Sails dominate the top third of the composition and the deck below emphasizes the angle of the ship as it moves through the water. The artist has included some details, particularly the cleats and ropes in the foreground. The special interest of this work is as a scene from a deep-water sailing ship, in a world dominated increasingly by steamers.

Everett did not sell his marine work during his lifetime but bequeathed all of it to the National Maritime Museum. It consists of oil paintings and a large number of drawings and engravings. He was a practical deep-water sailor, understood his subject and his work manifests the knowledge gleaned from living on board. He was also a fine draughtsman and saw sails, ropes and deck fittings in terms of rhythmic patterns. This enabled him to produce powerful and vigorous compositions.