An excellent example of Birchall's acclaimed watercolor technique is this alluring image of a French brigantine under full sail off the American coast. The ship is easily identified as a cod fisher by the fishing dories on her foredeck and the small crow's nest lookout on her mainmast.

This hard working vessel is shown beautifully positioned on the horizon line, accenting Birchall's skill at marine composition. She is passing an outward bound American ocean going tug off her port beam. Excellent detail is shown in the brigantine's intricate rigging and billowing sails as well as the deck layout and particulars on the tug.

Using additional body color to strengthen the overall effect, Birchall's coloration of sea and sky creates a rich atmosphere that surrounds and highlights both of the vessels. The tiny seabirds that dot the composition add additional authenticity and realism to this splendid narrative scene.

In this interesting scene of the first world war at sea, Birchall shows one of the small motor launches of the coastal patrol hailing a large sailing barque flying the Norwegian flag and showing the markings of a neutral Norwegian shipping line.

In 1916 the imperial German navy had converted an American barque into the heavily armed and deadly commerce raider SEEADLER. Under the command of the legendary FELIX VON LUCKNER and cleverly disguised as a neutral Norwegian merchant vessel, SEEADLER prowled the seas sinking an unprecedented number of allied ships. The royal navy, when they became aware of the ruse, made a point to stop and identify any Norwegian vessel that fit her description.

Birchall's use of transparent washes in the classic watercolor technique allows the paper to show through to create the fine luminous effect in sea and sky and giving the overall work a feeling of misty nautical realism.