A view of the deck of the 'Birkdale', showing selected elements of the ship. Everett has concentrated on such detailing as coiled rope, chains, capstan and cable-holders. These are used to create a series of horizontals, verticals and diagonals, with a strong vertical mast, horizontal ship's rail and billowing sails and the diagonal ladder and ropes. Strong blocks of colour exaggerate the emphasis on form. Everett has used shadow to create the shapes of the sails and has arranged the sea as a series of patterned crests.

The sketch was made during Everett's trip on the barque, 'Birkdale'. His first journey after World War I, he sailed in it from Bristol to Sabine Pass, Texas, April to June 1920. The 'Birkdale' was due to take sulphur from Texas to the Cape, but when she arrived in Texas the ship was re-chartered to Australia and so Everett reluctantly left her and came home by steamer. The 'Birkdale', built in 1892, was the last barque to fly the red ensign and spent nearly all her working life in the Chilean nitrate trade. For a short time after World War I she switched to taking sulphur from Texas to the Cape. The 'Birkdale' went back to the nitrate trade and was wrecked on the Chilean coast after catching fire in 1927. The painting is signed with artist's monogram bottom right.