Pilot boat running into St Peter Port, Guernsey, 23 February in 1838. Cooke was born in London, son of the engraver George Cooke. Early in Cooke’s career he published ‘Shipping and Craft,’ comprised of engravings from his drawings of sea-going vessels. Cooke travelled widely and was a man of some cultivation with varied academic interests. Cooke’s movements are well documented through his many travel journals. Because of this we know that he visited the Channel Islands in 1836, 1847 and 1869. During his first trip to Guernsey he rowed across to Castle Cornet, not yet adjoined to the rest of the Island by the breakwater. From here he made a sketch, thought to be the basis of this painting. He painted views of coastal waters, describing the people and places using subtle coloration and graduated light.