1-158-002 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'Splendid Jem', once a dashing hero in the Metropolis, recognised by Tom amongst the convicts in the Naval Dock Yard at Chatham, 1821. Jem, one of the shackled convicts carrying what looks like a sail, raising his hat to Tom. Scene from Life in London by Pierce Egan. Prisoners were housed in hulks ( visible on the River Medway in the background) before dispersal to gaols or transportation. In the meantime they were used as labour in naval dockyards. Hulks (tenders) were usually old naval vessels that were no longer seaworthy.