The red ensign flies from the stern and the union flag flies from the mizzen, and two royal yachts follow astern, one gaff-rigged flying the Union at the stern and the other ketch-rigged flying a red ensign. These and the other principal ships to their right mostly have their anchors aweigh and may be moving towards an anchorage. A two-decker on the far left and a hoy in the right foreground both cross the picture plane in starboard-broadside view. Any smaller sailing craft can be seen closer inshore. The overall narrative is that of showing a British fleet in home waters, with the white cliffs of England in the background. Sailmaker was born in Scheveningen in 1633 and emigrated to England when young. He was an early marine painter working in England prior to 1710, although he had not benefited from the typical marine artist's apprenticeship. He was among the artistic followers of the van de Veldes, who left Holland for England in 1672 and established a flourishing school of marine painting in London.