Images(2)

Sandridge from Hobson's Bay 1863

Artist Francois Cogne (French, 1829 - 1883)

Lithographer Francois Cogne (French, 1829 - 1883)

Printer Charles Troedel (Australian - German, 1835 - 1906)

Date1863

Object number00028912

NameLithograph

MediumColoured lithograph on paper.

DimensionsSheet: 325 × 370 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThis hand coloured lithograph features a view of Sandridge (now known as Port Melbourne) from Hobson's Bay. The harbour is shown to be actively busy with sail and steam vessels including a number of sailing ships displaying the American flag. A boat depicts men in broad hats and naval uniforms rowing on the harbour. It was produced after the work by Francois Cogne.HistoryThe area now known as Port Melbourne was originally called Sandridge after a ridge of sand dunes along the beach front. First settlement in the area occurred in 1839 by Wilbraham Frederick Evelyn Liardet who settled with his family and established a small jetty and postal service to connect the site with Melbourne. Land began to be sold in 1850 and the town was linked by rail to Melbourne in 1854. This rail line was the first to transport passengers in Australia. Sandridge was made a municipal district in 1860, a borough in 1863 and then renamed Port Melbourne in 1884. The first ships arrived in Port Melbourne in the 1830s and then the boom of the gold rush in the 1850s greatly increased maritime traffic. Sandridge and Hobson's Bay catered for the continuous flow of passengers who made their way to the gold fields. Ships came from across the world including America, China and England. Reports of maritime activity suggest that during the peak of the gold rush in 1853 there were about 18 ships arriving in Hobson's bay every day. Some of the ships' crews and Captains even abandoned their vessels to try their luck on the gold fields.SignificanceThis beautiful watercolour represents the high maritime traffic in Australian ports and specifically Port Melbourne during the mid-19th century gold rush period. The range of domestic and international vessels are clearly visible in this lithograph.