![‘Straits of Babelmandel. 12 Novr 1850.’ [‎26r] (1/1)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001260.0x0002eb/Mss Eur G45_8_0001.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Straits of Babelmandel. 12 Novr 1850.’ [‎26r] (1/1)")
‘Straits of Babelmandel. 12 Novr 1850.’ [26r] (1/1)
The record is made up of 1 drawing on paper, pasted into volume. It was created in 12 Nov 1850. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
About this item
- Content
Genre/Subject Matter
Pencil sketch on paper.
The sketch shows three, presumably sequential, topographical views of the coastal region at the Bab el-Mandeb strait (12° 34' 34” North, 43° 21' 11” East) between Arabia (Yemen) and Africa (Djibouti and Eritrea). This strait, consisting of a two-mile wide eastern channel and a sixteen-mile wide western channel separated by Perim Island, connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
The views were sketched from on board ship. The central sketch shows the profile of Perim Island, while the upper sketch appears to show a flare or beacon of some kind, with thick smoke billowing from its peak. This object is inscribed ‘Shrinka’. A number of other inscriptions, some of which are illegible appear to denote certain parts of the evidently rocky strait.
Inscriptions
Recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. , in pencil:
Upper centre: ‘Shrinka’
Left edge: ‘2nd’, ‘3rd’
Centre: ‘W’
Right edge: ‘129’
45 mm from right, 70 mm from upper: ‘Perim Island’
30 mm from left, 35 mm from lower: ‘1st’
Lower left corner: ‘Straits of Babelmandel. 12 Novr 1850.’
Temporal context
This sketch is part of a series of six drawings over consecutive days, 11–13 November 1850, during the journey between Aden and the Red Sea.
- Extent and format
- 1 drawing on paper, pasted into volume
- Physical characteristics
Dimensions:
160 x 278 mm [landscape]
Format:
Pencil sketch on paper, pasted into volume
Condition:
The sketch is in good condition with only minor surface residue throughout as well as one small area of staining on the lower edge, likely from the adhesive.
Foliation:
On paper: ‘129’
On mounting paper ‘26’
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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- Share this item
‘Straits of Babelmandel. 12 Novr 1850.’ [26r] (1/1), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur G/45/8, f 26, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023486693.0x000002> [accessed 7 August 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023486693.0x000002
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- Mss Eur G/45/8, f 26
- Title
- ‘Straits of Babelmandel. 12 Novr 1850.’
- Pages
- 26r
- Author
- Augustus Fortunatus Bellasis
- Usage terms
- Public Domain