The chaotic scene depicts the Battle of the Glorious First of June 1794, which took place off Ushant, between the British and French naval fleets. The French flagship, Montagne, under Rear-Admiral Louis Villaret-Joyeuse, shown in port bow view, on the right of this image, is pounding and being pounded by the British flagship, Queen Charlotte, commanded by Admiral Howe, which is alongside. The numerous ships crowded in the background are shrouded in cannon smoke. On the left of the picture, several ships are sinking, while, in the foreground, ships’ boats are over-loaded with sailors and officers and many others are clinging to wreckage floating in the sea.

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 fleet was so damaged that it was out of action for some time.