Small print of Devonport from Mount Edgcombe
This very attractive hand coloured steel engraving dates from about 1840. It shows a panoramic view of Devonport with many sailing ships on the river.
It measures approx 10.5cm by 6.5cm.
It suffers from foxing here and there – as can be seen in our photo.
More small print:
Devonport is on the River Tamar, in south Devon, England at a place known as the Hamoaze. It was originally known as Plymouth Dock and it has been used as a naval base since the time of Edward I who was king of England (1272 -1307) and was at war with France. The port was vital in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
In 1693 a wet and dry dock was built, followed by the construction of workshops, stores, and more docks. The dockyard was extended over the years with the addition of Morice Yard which provided ordnance, powder and shot to the fleet, and in 1844, by the Steam Yard. From 1700 a new town had been built around the dockyard and in 1824 it broke free from its older neighbour to become Devonport.
