Gore lived in Southampton from 1757 until 1773 and during the latter part of this period started developing his drawing style. He also experimented in ship design which resulted in the building of his cutter, the 'Snail'. He accompanied the fleet in this and cruised in the Channel during the summer. His drawings at Weimar (Goethe-Nationalmuseum) record these cruises along the coasts of the West Country, Belgium, Normandy and Britanny. As in this example, painted in bodycolour, weather, light and shipping are well observed.