This illustration is one of Samuel Ireland's series of 'Picturesque views on the River Thames, from its source in Gloucestershire to the Nore; with Observations on the Public Buildings and other works of Art in its Vicinity' (1792, vol 2, between pp. 238-39: another view from the east, without shipping, is also included in the section). The Royal Observatory is just seen at far right. The square building below may be intended as one of the wash-houses formerly in the eastern ground of Greenwich Hospital and the arch to its right a loose recollection of the Hospital barge house, though not shown with direct access to the river. The vessels shown are a cutter at far left distance; an improbably small ship apparently flying a naval pennant; probably a small peter boat to its right (with a loose-footed gaff), another gaff-rigged double-ended sloop, an indeterminate gaff-rigged ketch at distance (unless it is two boats alongside) and what looks like a passenger wherry with a loose-footed square rig. As a group, the shipping is characteristic of the Thames but its details show Ireland was not essentially a marine artist. [PvdM 9/05]