Broke is shown full-length to the right in captain’s full-dress uniform (over three years) of the 1812-35 pattern, standing on the quarterdeck of the ‘Shannon’ with one of the ship’s guns immediately behind. He holds a sword in his right hand and his left arm is outstretched. The smoke of battle obscures the rigging in the background. Draped across the left of the composition is a red ensign and Broke stands on a fragment of the stars and stripes from the ‘Chesapeake’ in an emphatic demonstration of victory.