Loading Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company passengers' baggage at Berth 31 in Tilbury Docks, Essex. The photographer is on board an unidentified P & O cruise ship looking aft and to starboard from the forecastle deck showing a cargo net full of luggage on the quayside with another being hauled aboard using the ship's own derricks. A railway baggage coach is on the left and a group of bowler hatted gentlemen are in discussion with a man in a peaked cap, possibly one of the ship's officers. Two gangplanks are set up in the background. Three of the crew are on deck watching proceedings.