This is a vintage woodcut-style illustration depicting a dramatic maritime disaster. A large steamship, labeled 'Royal Tar', is engulfed in flames and sinking into a turbulent sea. Thick, billowing smoke rises from the ship, obscuring parts of it and creating a chaotic atmosphere. The ship is listing heavily to one side, and debris is scattered around it. Several people are depicted struggling in the water, some clinging to pieces of wreckage. There are also animals—horses—swimming amidst the chaos, suggesting the ship carried a menagerie. The waves are rendered with energetic, swirling lines, emphasizing the violence of the scene. A small boat is visible in the distance, possibly attempting a rescue. The overall impression is one of panic, destruction, and a desperate struggle for survival.