A 12x10 negative. A port bow view of the general cargo spritsail rigged staysail barge Plantagenet (1878) uder sail in Gravesend Reach, River Thames, before the start of the 1897 Thames Barge Match. Her staysail is set but not her foresail. Astern of the Plantagenet (1878) and seen from fine off the port bow, is the topsail barge Haughty Belle (1896) with the number 7 flag on her forestay. In the middle distance is the steam tug Duke (1875) towing an extremely deeply laden lighter. Tilbury is in the background and crowds of spectators are on the shore, especially in front of Tilbury Fort.