The enormous cruiser “Kaiserin Augusta” is towering in the middle of the bay with her three funnels, her lifeboats, guns, cannons and all her heavy war equipment. The warship is anchored offshore in the bay of Phaleron and two boats can just be seen alongside it, which seem tiny compared to its bulk. A rowing boat with a rower and four men in formal black suits and hats is sailing near and towards the ship. The land with its distinctive features, the coastal buildings, tall trees, anchorages and hilly terrain, is depicted behind it. Everyday scenes are depicted in the wider marine area, flying seagulls, sailing rowboats and small sailboats with fishermen.

The warship “Kaiserin Augusta” sailed to Phaleron before arriving in Crete, where she had been sent by Germany to blockade Crete following the 1897 revolution, after pressure from the other Great Powers: Italy, France, Russia and England.