A striking dramatic work of the English channel, a Dutch-inspired coastal yawl pushes forth to come around the Nore Lightship and enter the southeast mouth of the Thames River safety. The two mariners aboard are hard employed at the clew of the mainsail and bracing the tiller arm, battling both the wind-driven chop and to stay clear of the slight-sheeted bark running slick toward the lightship.
Atmospheric clouds echo the wind present, with irregular edges from the pushed ethereal forces. Deep troughs of sea-green capped with froth give no sign of relenting for the sailors, but the seabirds seems to enjoying their aquatic frolic, with the hollow-boned speed the men can only envy.
The artist achieved a level of popularity during career, and was obviously protective of the advancing print technology, for this is one of the earliest works we have seen with "copyright reserved" written on the verso by the artist. His paintings have their own unique style, and show the important locations of maritime England. The Thames and the English channel are two important waterways, and where they intersect at the Nore, with its treacherous sandbar, deserves the important lightship aid to navigation. The Nore Lightship was the first such vessel, established in 1732.
