‘Straits of Babelmandel. 12 Novr 1850.’

Title:

‘Straits of Babelmandel. 12 Novr 1850.’

Contributor:

Augustus Fortunatus Bellasis (artist)

Date:

1850/1850

Description:

Genre/Subject MatterPencil sketch on paper.The sketch shows three, presumably sequential, topographical views of the coastal region at the Bab el-Mandeb strait (12° 34' 34” North, 43° 21' 11” East) between Arabia (Yemen) and Africa (Djibouti and Eritrea). This strait, consisting of a two-mile wide eastern channel and a sixteen-mile wide western channel separated by Perim Island, connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.The views were sketched from on board ship. The central sketch shows the profile of Perim Island, while the upper sketch appears to show a flare or beacon of some kind, with thick smoke billowing from its peak. This object is inscribed ‘Shrinka’. A number of other inscriptions, some of which are illegible appear to denote certain parts of the evidently rocky strait.InscriptionsRecto, in pencil:Upper centre: ‘Shrinka’Left edge: ‘2nd’, ‘3rd’Centre: ‘W’Right edge: ‘129’45 mm from right, 70 mm from upper: ‘Perim Island’30 mm from left, 35 mm from lower: ‘1st’Lower left corner: ‘Straits of Babelmandel. 12 Novr 1850.’Temporal contextThis sketch is part of a series of six drawings over consecutive days, 11–13 November 1850, during the journey between Aden and the Red Sea.1 drawing on paper, pasted into volumeDimensions:160 x 278 mm [landscape]Format:Pencil sketch on paper, pasted into volumeCondition:The sketch is in good condition with only minor surface residue throughout as well as one small area of staining on the lower edge, likely from the adhesive.Foliation:On paper: ‘129’On mounting paper ‘26’

Language:

English

Type:

Drawing

Type (Narrower):

Drawings

Type (Broader):

Image

Geographic region:

Bab-el-Mandeb
South Africa

Extent:

1 drawing on paper, pasted into volume

Rights:

Public Domain

Identifier:

81055/vdc_100023482667.0x000006_ar
81055/vdc_100023482667.0x000006_en
Mss Eur G/45/8, f 26

Is part of:

British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers

Feedback