Like Ludolf Backhuyzen, Willem van de Velde also took piracy as a subject, and like him Van de Velde also depicted an imaginary battle in this painting. None of the ships are identifiable. Clearly, justice triumphs here. In the centre of the composition we see a corsair, replete with blue battle flags, in flames. Thick plumes of smoke rise upward. On the right in the foreground a pirate galley is sinking. The powerful contrasting colours enhance the drama of the picture.