2-982-309 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Cherbourg Fetes - Triumphal Arch at Cherbourg, 1858. Queen Victoria visits Emperor Napoleon III. 'The arch which forms the subject of our Engraving stood about a hundred yards behind the Imperial pavilion, near the new basin. It was of singular construction, being composed of plates of iron such as are used for the boilers of steamers, and was ornamented with every description of shipbuilding instrument and utensil. The cornice of the arch was ingeniously formed of ship lamps turned upside down, the frieze glittering with minute decorations of chisels and other carpenters' tools. A couple of enormous steam-screws decked the sides, huge anchors forming a species of alto-relievo on the front. Around this arch, and under its very grateful shelter from a scorching sun, a large assemblage of military and naval officers, native and foreign, and of civilians of every rank, had assembled about noon to await the arrival of the Emperor'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.