According to Turner's title, this scene depicts an event from Dutch history: the reinstatement of Admiral Cornelis Tromp (1629-1691) to the Dutch navy. Tromp, on the foredeck of the center boat, turns his vessel (goes about) to signal his submission to naval authority. The churning sea, sweeping clouds, and defiant pose of the admiral vividly express the sublime power of nature and the heroism of man.
