This very fine period work of a British brig under full sail off the Skerries reef is a very good example by artist William G. Yorke- bright with a well known location and great detail in both the ships and the landscape. The ship is in full sail with flags flying including her name pennant: QUEEN OF THE FLEET. Note the many figures working on deck and the figurehead as well as the fine brushwork and good color on the other ships, the sea and the shoreline. The painting is in its original period frame with coved top. 

QUEEN OF THE FLEET, built in 1866, was a 265 ton brig with a length of 115 feet sailing out of Bridport, Dorset. Her owner's flag, likely her builder and first owner E. Cox, is depicted at the cap of the foremast and the British ensign is flying from the main gaff peak.

South Stack, Anglesey, Wales is visible off the vessel's starboard quarter and a topsail schooner is bearing away on a reciprocal course astern. The Skerries Lighthouse is well depicted under the central vessel's bowsprit. A small cutter, possibly a pilot, crosses the brig's bow from starboard.