In the left foreground a small ship, port bow view is shown in a heavy sea. She is lying-to on the starboard tack and her main sail is half lowered with the sheets or lines flying freely. Silhouetted figures are visible climbing the rigging above high waves crashing against the ship. In the right distance is a ship close-hauled on the starboard tack with three sails visible. Three-quarters of the painting is taken up with sky and the artist has used light to enhance the dramatic effect of the painting. Brilliant yellow occupies the sky to the left of the picture and slashes across the sky behind the principal ship. The upper part of the sky on the right graduates in colour from pink, orange and red to deep purple to create a effect of menace and potential danger for the ships. Light is reflected along the crests of the waves towards the horizon.

The artist was the younger son of Willem van de Velde the Elder. Born in Leiden, he studied under Simon de Vlieger in Weesp and in 1652 moved back to Amsterdam. He worked in his father's studio and developed the skill of carefully drawing ships in tranquil settings. He changed his subject matter, however, when he came with his father to England in 1672-73, by a greater concentration on royal yachts, men-of-war and storm scenes. From this time painting sea battles for Charles II and his brother (and Lord High Admiral) James, Duke of York, and other patrons, became a priority. Unlike his father's works, however, they were not usually eyewitness accounts. After his father's death in 1693 his continuing role as an official marine painter obliged him to be more frequently present at significant maritime events. The painting is signed 'W.V.Velde J' on the back of the original canvas.