Three warships at anchor in a moonlit bay, backed by high mountains, the moon half-hidden by clouds; a steam pinnace passes in front of the bow of one of the ships, with an awning spread across the foredeck; a flag hangs from the aft mast.

This atmospheric study, in an unusual elongated portrait form, may have been painted by de Martino as he accompanied the tour of the Empire made by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, later King George V and Queen Mary on HMS 'Ophir' in 1901 (RCINs 404190, 404206, 404207,405857, 405868, 406542, 402065).

The reverse bears a George V (Private Property) label.