It shows an American ship in the centre, perilously close to the shore. Her fore-topgallant mast has snapped off and though her sails have been partly taken in she appears dangerously over-canvassed for her situation, as she runs in before a easterly gale. She is also flying the American flag upside-down to indicate that she is in distress. Crossing hazardously close under her bows is a small cutter, heading into harbour on the port tack. This is one of the regular passenger smacks which served Margate from London. Its name, 'DUKE OF YORK', is inscribed on the mainsail, which was a fairly common feature of such vessels. A number of small boats are in the water on the far left. In the foreground a small two-masted pilot lugger with five men on board is shown pitching in the stormy sea, as her men hoist sail. A figure at the stern, almost certainly the pilot, points and appears to be issuing instructions. The jetty is crowded with watching figures and several other ships are visible in the distance on the right. The sky is heavily laden with clouds and rain falls on the right.