A study for the painting Turner made for the Carved Room at Petworth. Besides the scenery of Petworth itself, the pictures were intended to reflect Lord Egremont's interests in local agriculture and improvements. He had provided the initial financial guarantee for the construction of this canal, which opened in 1822, and remained an investor until 1826 when he withdrew at considerable personal loss. The ship is probably a collier brig, a reminder of commercial purpose in this serene landscape. There are few differences between this study and the finished picture still at Petworth.