Sketches of a trip round the Bay

Maker Australasian Sketcher (1873 - 1889)

Date19 February 1876

Object number00006068

NameEngraving

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 408 x 283 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Collections

For sickness and health - medicine in the collection

Terms

DescriptionAn engraving from the Australasian Sketcher, 19 February 1876, titled 'Sketches of a Trip Round the Bay' depicting eight vignettes of a pleasure cruise on Port Phillip Bay. Each vignette is individually titled: 'Passing the light ship. MACEDON in distance'; 'Music on the waters- Mollie Darling', 'The Heads', 'Quarantine station', 'A waif of Sorrento'; 'Arthurs seat', Schnapper point' and 'Joey'.HistoryAs with growing European towns and cities along the coast of Australia beachfront boulevards became popular destinations for outings. Whether just to walk along the promenades, picnic, or later to swim, residents were drawn to the ocean shores. In areas such as Sydney Harbour and Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne pleasure trips on paddle steamers, ferries or small boats were very popular. Another advantage of these growing seaside cities and towns was the capacity to establish quarantine stations ready to accept disembarking passengers and crew from arriving ships. Both Sydney and Melbourne erected quarantine stations on the shores of their major water ways. In Sydney it was North Head, Manly, and in Melbourne at point Nepean, entrance to Port Phillip Bay. SignificanceThis Page of the Australasian Sketcher captures the focus of leisure activities around the shores of bays and beaches in Australia. There was a diverse array of activities to cater for families, pleasure seekers and sportspeople.