View Of The Madras Harbour & Parry’s Corner, 1880 Photo
An 1880 photo with a view of the Madras Harbour & Parry’s Corner. The view is from the Light House located on top of the main dome of the High Court building. At one time the Madras (now Chennai) coast had the most inhospitable shores in India.
Ships were anchored in the outer sea, and masula boats ferried passengers and cargo to the beach. This unfavourable coast was devoid of a safe harbour until 1861. A simple ‘T” shaped pier was built by the East India Company in 1861. The photo shows two breakwaters protruding from the beach. Partially enclosing the ‘T’ shaped iron pier that lies in the centre.
The two breakwaters lessened the intensity of rough seas or hurricanes that was a common occurrence on the coast. Today Chennai Harbour is one of the busiest harbours in India. The corner tiled building would be the future location of the famous British firm Parry’s. From which the place got its name Parry’s Corner. Click on the photo for better view.
Also see View of Madras Harbour & Parry’s, Old Photo 1870 See post The Madras Iron Pier – Old Print 1863.
Did you know- in the earlier days the months between April-June and October-November were considered cyclone seasons. Ships have occasionally to leave the harbour and proceed to sea as a precautionary measure.
From the collection- M F Hussain Painting – Air India Advertising Postcard 1960.,n Cotton Cleaning Bombay 1910 – Old Postcard., 1914 The Terror of Madras Warship Emden WWI – 1999 Print., British India Hindostan – Antique Map 1863
