At least twenty-three separate vessels, ranging from ships of the line to paddles steamers are shown in various positions, subjecting their target – which is shown largely obscured, behind and to left – to heavy fire. Numerous projectile trajectory arcs indicated by the artist intensify the picture’s dramatic charge. The Firebrand is shown in stern view in the foreground, adjacent to the Albio’, 90 guns, on the left side of the picture. The Queen is shown, in port bow view, just to the left of centre of the picture, with the paddle steamer Vesuvius alongside her. The artist, Edward Wolfe Brooker, was on board the Spitfire.