Written in 1913-14, The Boatswain’s Mate is a comedic opera written in one act and two parts. Its libretto, written by Smyth herself, is based upon a short story by W.W. Jacobs. It features a small ensemble of three characters - Mrs Waters (soprano) the widowed landlady of The Beehive, Harry Benn (tenor) the retired boatswain who woos her, and Ned Travers (baritone) the ex-soldier who becomes Benn’s accomplice. 

Unlike most overtures, Overture to The Boatswain’s Mate doesn’t feature references to the music of the opera itself. Rather, Smyth composed a work completely independent of the opera to come. She states in a program note that she wishes it to be “‘to be a few minutes of cheerful music which would serve as overture to any cheerful play.”

The work does quote from another famous contemporary work, however. There are frequent references to “The March of the Women,” a song written for the political activist group the Women’s Social and Political Union. This is believed to be done with the aim of showing her intent in creating such a strong and independent female character in the work’s protagonist, Mrs. Waters.