This ship portrait shows the vessel in two positions, port-broadside and port-quarter in the distance. She is called a snow rather than a brig, because her gaff-sail is laced to a little jigger-mast which is stepped aft of the mainmast. With her jack and commissioning pendant she is clearly naval, presumably a transport or supply vessel bought or hired by the Navy, but not a fighting ship. The background appears to be Tilbury Fort, opposite Gravesend in the Thames.

Most of the artist's extant paintings date to the last six years of his career and are principally marine-subject matter. Brooking's reputation as a marine artist was well established by 1755. Although his stylistic range shows the influence of Simon de Vlieger and Willem van de Velde the Younger, his approach was uncompromisingly individualistic. His careful attention to detail in his work evinces an informed knowledge of maritime practice and naval architecture.