The artist was known initially to be a cabinet-maker resident in Haarlem. He is recorded as living in Amsterdam as a painter by 1617. In 1623 he wrote to the States General trying to interest them in his invention for blocking certain harbours to prevent enemy shipping entering or leaving. He was later commissioned, around 1628, to paint a scene from the 'Battle of Gibraltar' for the Amsterdam Admiralty and also received commissions to paint other sea battles. At the time of his death he left several other large scenes unsold including the 'Siege of La Rochelle' (Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam) and a 'Battle of the Downs'. He is known to have visited France since he painted a view of Paris in 1637. He was the master of the marine painter Hendrick Dubbels and died in Amsterdam. The painting is indistinctly signed 'Verwer' on the floating barrel, lower left.