Triumphal Arch, New Wharf, Hobart, Tasmania 1868

[The Triumphal Arch: Excerpt from “The Duke of Edinburgh in Tasmania”, The Mercury (Hobart), Friday 31 January 1868, pg. 3]

This arch was a most appropriate and imposing structure. The piers were composed wholly of oil barrels, and, illustrative of our whaling trade, had a fine effect, and the top, piled up in the form of a high pyramid, with samples of our porter, ale, beer, jams, leather, wheat, barley, oats, &c., &c., and surmounted by the huge jaws of a whale, the merchant ensign of Britain floating over all, formed a most characteristic coup d’œil. Beneath this, on the river side of the arch was the inscription, “Welcome Sailor Prince,” and on the other side, “Welcome to Tasmania”. The feature which would, we imagine, best please His Royal Highness in connection with this structure, would be the two fine whale boats which surmounted the side arches, and which were manned by crews of six native youths attired in red shirts and sailor hats. These lads peaked their oars and cheered as the Prince’s carriage passed under the archway.