A well-known painting in which water appears to break heavily over Haida is often interpreted as a rough-sea scene. The sea itself was not exceptionally rough. Haida was maneuvering to refuel from the Canadian aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent and crossing the carrier's wake. Knowing that explains the bow wave and trough visible in the image, as well as the ship-handling conditions around replenishment.
Notable Point · 19:41-20:27
Why water crashes over Haida in a famous painting
A dramatic image often read as Haida fighting heavy seas actually shows the destroyer crossing HMCS Magnificent's wake while approaching to refuel.