2-791-532 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Gomer Steamer coming into Portsmouth Harbour, 1844. Visit of the French king Louis Philippe to Britain: 'The French squadron came on slowly and majestically, each ship of war saluting as it advanced, and each battery in turn taking up the salute: the climax, however, was when the armed steamers entered the harbour; then the cheers of the population on the shores, and of the sailors who manned the yards, struggled in intensity of sound with the reports of the cannon fired by the batteries, by the Excellent, and by the Victory (Nelson's renowned ship), moored within the harbour'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol I.