H. M. Revenue Cutter Vigilant towing the Barque Alfred of London, a valuable Prize captured 17th Dec 1828 having on board 1010 half Ankers of Contraband Spirits concealed under a Coasting Cargo

A lithograph of H.M. Revenue Cutter 'Vigilant' towing a Thames sailing barge after having caught smugglers carrying 1010 half ankers of contraband spirits hidden under coasting cargo. As part of the English Preventive Service, Revenue cutters patrolled the British coastline to combat smuggling starting the early 18th century. The wood-barrel buoy with an oil lamp on top in the left foreground clearly indicates the location as Margate Hook in Kent. The imprint of title and publication detail underneath the image appears to have been trimmed off.