Page 22 - 1977 NAB CalendarMaritime Life in early Australia Part One
P. 22
HOBART-TOWN
OCTOBER
The whaling industry was at its height when Captain Dumont d’Urville pulled into Hobart had completely changed in appearance since d’Urville’s first visit in 1827, and he
Hobart in 1839, and the animation and colour of the scene struck him immediately. predicted that the prosperous and rapidly growing port would soon resemble a great
The same atmosphere pervades this lithograph, after a drawing by Louis Le Breton European city. Large numbers of men were at work developing the quay area on the
made early in 1840, when d’Urville’s expedition again called briefly at Hobart on its southern and western shores of Sullivan’s Cove, and completing the new Customs
return from the Antarctic. House. The New Wharf, which was opened in 1830, is obscured by ships at the left cf
the picture, but the imposing stone warehouses behind it in Salamanca Place can be
Le Breton had been engaged as a surgeon, third-class, with d’Urville’s expedition, seen through the rigging. The construction of Franklin Wharf was already in progress;
but his interest in drawing was evident throughout the voyage, and when the official the foreshore area around the centre and towards the right of the picture was being
artist, Ernest Goupil, died in Hobart late in 1839 Le Breton took his place. Many of reclaimed at this date. In the background are the houses of Hobart which delighted
the French were seriously ill by the time the expedition reached Hobart, and Le d’Urville by their order and cleanliness. St. David’s Church is visible on the right, with its
Breton’s medical duties took up much of his time there. Nevertheless he managed new spire, built in 1835.
to record his impressions of Tasmania in a series of lively drawings which were the
basis of lithographs published in 1846 in d’Urville’s “Voyage au Pole Sud et dans Today a system of modern quays occupies the shores of Sullivan’s Cove, and although
I’Oceanie, Atlas pittoresque’’. The work contained several views of Hobart, port facilities have developed beyond this area, Hobart’s first port is still of vital
including the one shown above. D'Urville’s high opinion of the talent of his new importance in Tasmania’s economy.
artist was confirmed by Le Breton’s later success: he opened a studio when he
returned to Paris, and exhibited regularly at the Salon.
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