A smack of the Essex type with steeply angled counter and vertical topsides amidships is seen from some distance, aground at low water, heeled over to starboard towards staging erected at the foot of the bank against which it is moored. The boat, bearing no visible name, is in poor condition to judge from the hull paintwork, but is fully rigged with boom and gaff in place, though with no sails laced to them. The words "ex-fishing smack ... now a yacht" written on the negative's paper envelope may have been suggested by H.O. Hill or by the tall topmast and crosstrees shown, which could have helped carry a tall topsail.