L S Lowry had a lifelong fascination with the sea. Whilst many of his early seascapes are holiday reminiscences, the empty seascapes of the 1950s and 1960s reflect a more introspective approach. He visited Sunderland many times and this is where he got the inspiration for some of his paintings.
Although this picture is very different in appearance to his typical street scenes, they both convey a strong sense of loneliness and isolation which was very much a part of Lowry's character.