Two views of the Red Sea coastline by Thomas Elwon (1793/4–1835)

Content

Genre/Subject Matter:

These two topographical views of the Red Sea coast are sketched from on board ship.

On the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. is a detailed view of a large, fortified town, with mountains in the background. A long high wall separates the town from the sea, with various towers located along its length. At least one of these is a martello tower. Two towers, perhaps minarets, are visible left of centre and at right. There are no inscriptions indicating the location of the town.

On the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. a less detailed and rather hurried sketch of the town of ‘El Cassar’ [?] takes up the right-hand side of the sheet.

Inscriptions:

Verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. :

Upper left corner, in pencil: ‘Town of El Caſsar/Cassar[?]’

Extent and format

2 partial pencil drawings on paper

It is part of

Drawings of the coast around Aden and along the Red Sea made during Elwon’s survey to establish the best course for steamers travelling to and from Suez by Thomas Elwon (1793/4-1835)

12 images

Ref: WD3528-3532

Physical characteristics

Dimensions:

115 x 420 mm

Materials:

Pencil on paper

Condition:

Heavy surface dirt coats the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. and verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. . The paper is torn at all edges and especially along the central fold, however, repair work has stabilised the sheet.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Drawing

Access & Reference

Original held at

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.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

WD3531

History of this record

Date(s)

1829-34 (CE, Gregorian)

People & organisations

Thomas Elwon

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Cite this record in your research

Two views of the Red Sea coastline by Thomas Elwon (1793/4–1835), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, WD3531, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025687404.0x000004> [accessed 13 July 2026]

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https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100025687404.0x000004

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