Colored engraving depicting a whale on the surface of the water, spouting and raising its tail while turning such that its belly is exposed, being attacked by a school of sword-fish and what appear to be carpenter sharks (also called saw-fish) from the left. In the background is a whaling rowboat, riding the crest of a wave; a small landmass or iceberg; and a three-masted ship. The sun is rising or setting. The artist signature is at bottom right. Below the image is printed, "SPERM WHALE ATTACKED BY SWORD-FISH. P. 231"
