Thames barges such as this carried hay and other goods to London and around the south-east English coast. On board the laden barge, two men row with long sweeps and two are positioned at the stern. These barges had a shallow draught and were particularly suitable to enter farm creeks. They brought hay from as far as Suffolk and Margate on the Kentish shore to feed the thousands of horses in London, returning with loads of manure to spread on the fields. Under the hay they often carried a heavier cargo such as bricks, for London's rapid urban expansion. The river, the main highway through the capital, is shown full of craft. Greenwich can be seen to the left with the two domes of the Hospital and its buildings prominent.

The painting was one of the earliest pictures Cooke submitted to the Royal Academy and was exhibited in 1835. It was bought by the 19th century patron of modern art, John Sheepshanks, who may have commissioned the work, since his home was near Greenwich, at Blackheath. The artist was trained by his father, the painter George Cooke, and showed outstanding talent as a draughtsman. He helped Clarkson Stanfield with some of his commissions, took lessons in oil painting from James Stark in 1834, and assisted with the arrangement of exhibits for the Great Exhibition of 1851. He exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1835-79, and was made ARA in 1851 and RA in 1863. His sketchbooks are in the National Maritime Museum.