Calm: destroyers and a scout cruiser (HMS 'Foresight' or 'Forward')<br>
Inscribed  by the artist, 'Fearless', under the three-funnelled scout cruiser, third from left. The three destroyers look like L-class vessels of 1913-14 (from the 4-inch gun between the  funnels).  The cruiser is mistakenly identified by Wyllie, since the 'Fearless' had four funnels and a raised forecastle, and is in fact either the 'Foresight' or 'Forward' (both 1904).  Assuming the drawing is dated to about 1914-15, the fact that the destroyers are shown with three yards on the foremast is unusual and lacking explanation. The boats may be taking captains to the cruiser for a meeting, since it would be the flagship of the group.
<bdi><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:William_Lionel_Wyllie" class="extiw" title="w:en:William Lionel Wyllie"><span title="English painter of maritime themes (1851-1931)">William Lionel Wyllie</span></a>
</bdi>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/125368">http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/125368</a>