This wood engraving is believed to have been made by Thomas Abel Prior at an unknown date. It depicts Adelaide Wharf (London Bridge Wharf, named ‘Adelaide’ in the description due to the wharf’s proximity to the Adelaide buildings) in Southwark, just near London Bridge, which is shown in the centre of the image. The New London Bridge was a replacement for the old medieval London Bridge, which was opened on August 1831.

In the foreground the London Bridge Wharf can be seen, with Dockers and other bystanders on the wayside. In the whole of the background together with the bridge, a broad scene of London can be seen, including what appears to be the old Southwark Bridge behind the London Bridge. This was mostly known as the ‘Iron Bridge’, designed by John Rennie the Elder, and opened in 1819. At the time it was a toll bridge.

On the River Thames itself, a number of vessels can be seen – including two clusters of sailing vessels in dock at London Bridge Wharf on the far left-hand background and far right-hand foreground of the image. There are two other vessels passing through the arches of London Bridge in the left-hand background. These two vessels appear to be steam-powered paddle boats.

The three prominent vessels of interest, which can be seen in the foreground left to centre, are also paddle-steamers. They include the ‘Magnet’ (centre-right), ‘Kent’ (far-left) and an unidentified vessel in the centre-left, whose name is obscured. They are all two-masted vessels, though the ‘Kent’ stands out from all the others in having two funnels. The black smoke from all three ships is seen prominently in the sky. They are the main subject of the engraving, which is inscribed “Steam boats at Adelaide Wharf, Off London Bridge.”

A few small rowing boats can also be seen in the river, which is depicted as calm. The whole scene is effectively one of everyday life on the River Thames, at Adelaide Wharf.