A whole plate negative. A starboard broadside view of the paddle tug Vigilant (1874) at anchor in Gravesend Reach, River Thames. There is no activity on the deck but a thin wisp of smoke is emanating from her funnels which are painted plain black. A swim headed stumpy rigged spritsail barge is at anchor beyond her bow and another stumpy barge is anchored close to the Tilbury shore in the background.