L.J. Pearce's subject here is no clipper ship, but rather the famous American Frigate, U.S.S. CONSTITUTION. "Old Ironsides" is shown in a full port view with her sails prepped for furling or a departure, depending on the direction of the military contingent of American sailors in the rowed boat. Boston proper is shown in her mid-19th century glory, with a luminous sky filled by the sun on the horizon, much in the manner of American marine master Fitz H. Lane..