Summary
One of four albumen silver photographs depicting the Suez Canal, circa 1880s.
The Suez Canal is a part natural and part man-made sea-level waterway through eastern Egypt connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas. While primitive channels in the region had been used by shipping from ancient times, the modern canal route was constructed over a 10 year period by the French-based Suez Canal Company (Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez), under the direction of the former diplomat and entrepreneur Ferdinand de Lesseps. Construction commenced at Port Said on 25th April 1859 and the canal was officially opened to shipping on 17th November 1869, although the construction was not finally completed until 1871. In its original form the Suez Canal was 102 miles (164 km) long and 26 ft (8 m) deep, but has subsequently been enlargement several times to measure 193.3 km (120.1 miles) long and 205 metres (673 ft) wide by 24 m (79 ft) deep as of 2010.
Description of Content
British Euphrates class troopship HMS Crocodile passing through the Suez Canal.
Physical Description
Albumen silver photograph.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mrs Ada Turner, by May 1989
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Place & Date Depicted
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Photographer
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Ship Depicted
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Format
Photograph, Monochrome
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Inscriptions
Printed in cream on front of photograph below image: 'Zangaki / No 95 Transport Crocodil passent le Chantier VI'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
277 mm (Width), 214 mm (Height)
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Keywords
British Empire, British Military, Canals & Waterways, Channels, Photography, Sailing Vessels, Ships, Wars & Conflicts, Warships, Water Transport