St. Malo, schooners St Charles of Paimpol, JLC of St. Malo

The description of this negative as showing two Breton schooners is not born out by the vessels shown; that in the centre foreground is a cutter-rigged boat of some 65ft, with a very tall topmast, seen at anchor from off the port bow quarter. Behind this vessel is a large, formal building which may be the harbourmaster's office or a customs house. In the background to the left is a longer vessel of similar hull shape tied up at a quayside with cranes further beyond; this boat has only a short mast and it is not clear whether it is a de-rigged sailing vessel or originally a motor vessel. It has an arched structure at the stern which may indicate use as a tug.