Listing merchant vessel with a destroyer and a depth-charge or mine exploding beyond RMG PV3453, William Lionel Wyllie, circa 1917

Listing merchant vessel with a destroyer and a depth-charge or mine exploding beyond while an evocative drawing, possibly at sunset, it is not clear whether this is a specific incident. The destroyer to the left is 'm' or 'r'-class suggesting a 1917-18 date, but the explosion is not in the position astern that one would expect of she had dropped a depth charge. The dazzle-painted merchant ship seen in stern view listing to port, with her screw partly out of the water, is not a standard cargo vessel since her spindly three masts do not support derricks and have wireless spreaders suspended between fore and main, which suggests a military use. A small boat and distant coastline appear to the right. Date: circa 1917. Dimensions: 254 mm x 355 mm. Collection: Fine art.