Spritsail barges under sail manoeuvring for position, possibly at the start of a race, in the Thames Estuary off Southend, Essex.

Spritsail barges under sail manoeuvring for position, possibly at the start of a race, in the Thames Estuary off Southend, Essex. In the foreground is the stemhead bowsprit barge Vigilant (1904) seen from very fine off the port bow. Her bowsprit is topped, she has a white staysail and she has a Crossed Keys logo on her topsail. In line astern of her is the stemhead staysail barge Ironsides (1900) with a white staysail and the RDL logo on her topsail, and the staysail barge Xylonite (1926) with a white staysail and the Hoseasons Bluebird logo on her topsail. On the left with all white sails and a Crowned Head logo on the topsail is the Repertor (1924). The barge with all white sails in the centre background is the Felix (1893).