A general view of the royal opening of the Cutty Sark (1869) in dry dock at Greenwich, London. The photographer is looking down, to port and aft from a high vantage point off the starboard side of the ship showing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II standing at the top of the steps at the end of the dock, talking to a group of men. Three Thames watermen in their red uniforms are behind this group. A large number of spectators are looking on with many taking advantage of the windows in the residences that overlook the area. The stern of the ship can be seen on the right. The end wall of the Wheatsheaf public house has been decorated for the occasion.