Apollo Bunder Bombay’s Landing Jetty, Old Print 1880
Old 1880 print of Apollo Bunder once Bombay’s chief landing jetty. That shows the Apollo Bunder later Wellington Pier before the building of the Gateway of India there. At the time Bombay’s (Mumbai) chief landing place for passengers arriving from overseas by steamers.
See post- Apollo Bunder Before The Gateway Of India – Old Print 1874
Passengers of the steamers anchored at deeper waters were ferried to the landing-place by boats. After the customs formalities were completed (customs had a makeshift facility) passengers would get onto the waiting conveyances. Since automobiles were yet to make their appearance it was horse carts and bullock carts that transported them.
The Bunder later renamed Wellington Pier. The land was reclaimed from a marshy area in the 1830s and was said to be “a foul and hideous place”. Bombay Port later developed into a full-fledged port with passenger facilities. The use of the Wellington Pier was altogether abandoned. But undoubtedly the Wellington Pier was an important part of the evolution of the once seven islands the city grew from.
Read more- Seven Islands of Mumbai.
Did you know- India’s first-ever train ran between Mumbai and Thane.
More from the collection- Vintage Postcard Raja Ravi Varma’s Portrait., Our Journey Around The World – 1894 Book., WWI German Cruiser Emden’s Sea Route Map 1914., Electric Trams of Madras 1930- Old Photo.