In the left foreground is a weather bow of a ship which is close-hauled, its sails trimmed in tightly on the port tack. It is sailing under fore-course, mizzen and topsails. Another ship appears just under the stern of the first vessel, with the wind on her port beam. There is a third ship in the middle distance which is immobile, her topgallants set. In addition, a number of small rowing boats with figures in them are scattered in the foreground, moving away from the bigger ships.