This coloured lithograph depicts a starboard-side view of the steam paddle ferry Manx Fairy cruising off Ramsey Bay, Isle of Man. The vessel itself is shown left of centre in the painting. The ship is depicted as sailing at cruising speed, two streams of black smoke emitting from her two funnels. Her hull is mostly black, though the red of her underside can be seen as her bow rides the light waves.

The British Red Ensign flies from a flagpole at the stern, while a blue and white pennant flies from the foremast. Passengers and crew can be seen lined along the deck. Two lifeboats hang from davits at her aft section.

In the background, the coast and headland of Ramsey Bay can be clearly seen, crowned with hills and trees, along with the harbour and town of Ramsey itself. The buildings of the town line the background, including the lighthouse in the far-left background of the painting.

In addition, the sandy beach of Ramsey is marked as a yellow-white strip across the coast, with people and beached boats present on its length in the right-hand background. The masts of ships in the harbour line the far right-hand skyline of the town. Just to the left of the lighthouse, the hull of a ship in dry-dock can also be seen in the background.

Smaller vessels are present on the water near the Manx Fairy. Astern of the ship, there is a small sailing cutter in the far-left background. Ahead of the Manx Fairy in the foreground, there is a smaller rowed fishing boat, with three fishermen manning it.

Two small sailing vessels are also present in the right-hand background, ahead of the subject vessel and in front of Ramsey beach. They appear to be two-masted brigs. Two other rowing boats can be seen either side of these vessels.

The sky is made up of patchy cloud, tinted by a bright sunny day, though the sea and waves are choppy and disturbed. Two seagulls can be seen in the foreground, right of centre.