The painting depicts a large sailing ship in the center, surrounded by calm water. Its large white sails take up most of the center of the painting, and a small American flag can be seen flying from one of the masts. Another ship and a lighthouse can be seen on the horizon to the right. Closer to us, on the left, a woman and a child with their backs to us watch the ship from a grassy bank, waving their arms. They are both wearing dark dresses, and the woman holds a white handkerchief. The water is blue, green, and tan with faint white ripples, and the sky above is white and pale gray. In the distance, faint blue mountains are visible, with green hills, trees, and small white buildings at their base.