In the 19th century, Swansea in South Wales was the center of a booming copper-smelting industry and its port was filled with ships from all over the world. It was also the hometown of marine painter James S. Harris, who formerly worked aboard copper-carrying sailing ships.

In this painting, a nameless three-master is seen off the coast of Swansea. Harris accurately depicted the details of its rigging and vividly portrayed the momentum of the ship amid white-crested waves.