Closer bird’s-eye view at night over the Caribbean Sea. Two small, agile 17th–18th century frigates are locked broadside-to-broadside, both clearly much smaller than ships of the line — narrow hulls, a single gun deck, light rigging, and modest masts. They fire broadsides at each other, and the scene is filled with thick, chaotic gunpowder smoke drifting between the ships. The smoke clouds dominate the center, illuminated softly by moonlight. The sails are partially torn, rigging frayed, debris floats around them on the dark water. The sea reflects small glints of moonlight and fire glow from lanterns, but there are no muzzle flashes, only heavy smoke lingering after the shots. The composition emphasizes the small size of the frigates from above, their slim silhouettes, and the violent, chaotic atmosphere of close-quarters naval combat.