Thames Barge (going before the Wind) off…

A Thames sailing barge was a type of commercial sailing boat common on the River Thames in London in the 19th century. The flat-bottomed barges were perfectly adapted to the Thames Estuary, with its shallow waters and narrow rivers.

A fine etching by Edward William Cooke (1811-1880) from, ‘Fifty plates of shipping and craft‘ which he drew and etched all the images. Cooke was an important marine and botanical artist, the son of the engraver George Cooke. He was making engravings of plants by the age of nine. Not only was he a member of the ARA and RA but a fellow of a number of scientific societies including, the Linnean, Geological, Zoological and Antiquaires Societies.