County Cork - Cove of Cork (Now Queenstown) c.1840

A remarkable panoramic view of Cove, (Now Queenstown) [Now Cobh!] (c.1840) by William H. Bartlett overlooking Spike and Hawlbowline Islands of which Spike Island is proudly flying the Cross of Saint George flag and the town of Cobh in the far distance.

 A family group, with one man in naval uniform, enjoy their garden in the foreground, giving both atmosphere and a human perspective on the fabulous scene captured behind them (see close-up detail inset below). An Island in Cork Harbour, Cobh was renamed Queenstown to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria in 1849. The detail, so typical of Bartletts work, includes a 38-gun British Navy Frigate under light canvas, presumably leaving the port, and the juxtaposition of an early steam boat working it way past it. Another larger steam pocket is seen in the distance, along with other large sailing vessels at anchor in a calm harbour. The steam ships spelt the end for canvas sailing ships within the next 50 years.

Cobh's most famous visitor 'The Titanic' left Queenstown on the 1st April 1912 with 1,308 passengers and 898 crew members as she embarked on her final journey.. The strategic importance of Cobh as a deep water harbour to the British Navy and Empire, as well as trade with continental Europe, cannot be understated and Cobh was only handed over to Irish Government by the British on 11th July 1938 at a ceremony on Spike Island, just a over year before the outbreak of WW2. The Irish Government steadfastly refused the British Government use of Irish ports like Cobh during the war much to Churchill's annoyance at a time when the use of such defendable and deep water ports would have been invaluable to the British war effort.

Please note the Pine Green mount board is not as quite dark as it appears in the frame image and the colour of the final print is closer to the detail sample from the picture inset below.

A beautifully framed reproduction set behind glass with a choice of a pale palm green or pine green suede inner surrounds with a choice of two fine antique style wooden frames; gold leaf or gold and mahogony finish. Prints are available in A3, A2 and A1 sizes with proportionately larger frames to suit all decor and wall space.

To see which one you prefer simply select the frame type choice below and it will appear in the larger picture above.