A starboard broadside view of a three-masted Lorcha at anchor off Shanghai. A lorcha is a type of European-built hull with a Chinese style rig. The yards have been lowered and the sails furled. There are two white deckhouses with a covered area between them. The stern has an overhanging counter with a small poop deck above where the wheel is fitted. T two small sampans are off the stern while another is alongside off the beam. In the background is a coastline with buildings.

The original negative envelope was labelled: 'Lorcha. European boat Chinese rig. Shanghai 1900' and the reverse of the accompanying contact print is labelled: 'A Laurcha European built Chinese rigged ship. Shanghai. Oct 1900'