This scene depicts the loading of coal lighters at the Royal Albert Dock. Lightermen conveyed goods between the ships and the quayside. They took their name from this process of 'lightening' the ship. The lightermen secured the 'free water clause' allowing them to be exempted from charges in the enclosed docks that were built during the 19th century. They were thus able to enter the docks and receive or deliver goods directly to or from vessels. The work is signed ‘W L Wyllie’, lower left.