2-982-202 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Departure from Gravesend of Troops for India, 1858. 'During the last fortnight there have been several large embarkations of troops for India and China from this place, which has added not a little to the usual bustle of this important roadstead. On Tuesday week the Eastern Monarch, a new and beautiful clipper ship, without exception one of the handsomest vessels ever built, embarked 800 men for tho East, and took her departure the same evening. The men all seemed in most excellent spirits, and loudly cheered, and were responded to by the numerous passenger vessels they met in their progress down the river [Thames]'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.