Title

Cutting the First Turf of the Natal Government Railway at Durban, 1876. Creator: Unknown.

Caption

Cutting the First Turf of the Natal Government Railway at Durban, 1876. '...the first turf of the future system was cut by his Excellency Sir Henry Bulwer, Lieutenant-Governor of Natal, amidst great and universal rejoicing. The view we give...is taken from a photograph by Mr. Caney, of Durban. It represents the large crowd gathered around the triumphal arch [with 'God Save The Queen'] under which his Excellency cut the turf. Around him were gathered all the leading personages of the colony, together with Mr. Arnott Browning, the able and popular representative of the contractors. Behind may be seen a spacious gallery erected for the ladies. In the foreground appear the escort of mounted volunteers, and a motley crowd of Europeans, Africans, and Asiatics...About 4500 persons were present...the enthusiasm was unprecedented in the history of the colony'. From "Illustrated London News", 1876.

Credit line

Photo12/Heritage Images/The Print Collector

Reference

HRM23A81_110

Model release

NA

Property release

NA

License type

Rights managed

Available size

49,7Mb (5,3Mb) / 16,5in x 11,7in / 4960 x 3504 (300dpi)

Keywords

transport transportation people group crowd crowds South Africa railways architecture archway arch arts art patriotism British railway color location century Colonial patriotic public transport Britain newspapers press print concept Durban Natal B&W engraved engraving Architectural Feature Colour 19th century black & white black and white B W grandstand white and black triumphal arch KwaZulu-Natal nineteenth century The Print Collector colonialism Illustrated London News TGN ILN newspaper Unknown Henry Colony of Natal 19th-century Henry Bulwer Bulwer Henry Ernest Gascoyne Bulwer Henry Ernest Gascoyne Sir Henry Ernest Gascoyne Bulwer