A watercolour of a Thames sailing barge at anchor, with a man by the tiller at the stern. Judging by her depth in the water, the barge is laden with cargo. Having owned and sailed a barge himself, Wyllie had a good eye for technical detail. A number of interesting characteristics of barges are visible. At the stern, the mizzen sail is sheeted to the aft end of the rudder. Also, the foresail has a chain halyard to prevent chafe. The two large blocks at the stemhead are known as the stayfall tackle. They were used in conjunction with the windlass, visible under the foresail, for lowering and raising the mast. For more information on Thames barges see PAF1968.