Hand-coloured aquatint shows two naval vessels engaged in battle in a fairly calm sea. Cannon smoke swirls between them. On the left, the French La Virginie, in port broadside view, has tattered sails and her main mast has broken. On the right, in port bow quarter view, the British Indefatigable, with her lower courses looped for action, seems to have sustained little damage other than some holes in her flag and sails.