On the morning of the 23rd of September 1779, the French frigate 'Las Pallas' and the American ship 'Alliance' commanded by Captain John Paul Jones intercepted the Baltic merchant fleet under convoy of the British ships 'Serapis' and 'Countess of Scarborough' commanded by Captain Richard Pearson. The print depicts the grueling 3 �_-hour engagement. According to the manuscript inscription below the image, the two British vessels are on the left and the allied French and American vessels are on the right side of the print. Despite a heavy loss of life, Jones won a stunning victory and captured the two British ships.
