The composition centers on an aging schooner, the Mon Ste-Marie, grounded and solitary on the expansive sands of St-Joseph-de-la-Rive. The vessel's white hull, marked by the elements, stands as a testament to its history and voyages now past. The ship's resting state evokes a sense of quiet retirement, with its masts reaching up into the grey sky in silent tribute to its seafaring days.

Little's palette is muted, dominated by the earthy tones of the sand and the subtle blues of the water, reflecting a somber, overcast day. The texture of the sand is rendered with care, its ripples and indentations leading the eye toward the grounded vessel, giving the scene a tactile quality.

In the background, the landscape is a series of gentle slopes dotted with buildings that suggest a small, coastal community. The subdued colors and soft brushwork give the painting a timeless quality, as if the scene is suspended in a moment of contemplation.

This work captures more than a physical location; it is imbued with a narrative of resilience and the poignant beauty found in nature's reclamation of human-made objects. The quiet dignity of the schooner in its stillness invites viewers to reflect on the histories we leave behind and the landscapes that outlive us.