This fine example of William Anderson's art depicts an English Warship sailing the Dutch Coast in the era of the Napoleonic Wars, when allegiances were formed between Holland and France against the British, so sailing merchants and naval craft were closely watched and often inspected by the British Fleet. Three men watch carefully the action of the armed naval frigate as it passes to close with a Dutch yawl, both within the sight of the eyes onboard a larger Dutch Man-O'-War.