This busy harbour scene would have been painted on the spot and at great speed in pure direct watercolour. The picture is bursting with information. There is a mixture of sailing and steam powered boats in the harbour. The quay receding away from the spectator gives depth to the picture. The figures have great spontaneity as they walk towards the spectator. The smoke from the boat’s boilers breaks up the sky adding movement to the composition. There is an interesting structure on the harbour on the right. The composition is very freely painted with great immediacy and spirited brushwork.