The Fortifications, South Head Battery. Sydney Illustrated c1880.

Antique Print of Sydney Harbour colonial fortifications battery.

Original wood engraving for Sydney Illustrated published in Sydney c1880. (Mounted between 'antique white' conservation ragmat board, protectively covered - half-framed.

The British First Fleet settlement and penal colony was established at Sydney Cove in 1788, governed by Captain Arthur Phillip, with 21 Royal Navy officers and 192 mariners who had voluteered for a 3 year posting. Over the ensuing years 25 British regiments and smaller artillery and engineer units were stationed in the colonies.

During the 1850s a cobblestone Government Road was created from Watsons Bay to Inner South Head, from the harbour to the fortifications above. From 1870 to 1874, two battery fortifications were built at South Head, with three 10 inch (25cm) RML, two 9 inch (23cm) 12 ton RML and five 80 pounder (converted) RML guns. The 9 inch RML Mark V gun (on carriage) that was built at Hornby Battery on Inner South Head was later moved to the northen end of Camp Cove as a 'mascot'. In 1878 a torpedo observing and firing station was installed at Green Point (Laings Point), Chowder Bay at the south end of Camp Cove.

This fine engraving measures 213 x 286mm (8 3/8 x 11 1/4 inches). The external mount size for frame window is 31 x 38cm (12.25 x 15 inches).