3-008-545 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Prince of Wales in Egypt: the Royal Party landing on the Arabian coast, on their way to the Wells of Moses, 1862. The future King Edward VII in Africa. 'Whilst his Royal Highness was at Suez a small steamer was placed at his disposal by the Egyptian Government, in which the Royal party crossed over to Aïn Mousseh (the Wells of Moses), on the Arabian coast. They had not left the harbour of Suez far behind when they encountered the Peninsular Company's steam-packet Salsette, arriving with her usual freight of passengers and mails from Bombay. The little boat that carried his Royal Highness was very speedily recognised; as quickly did the sides and rigging of the Salsette swarm with her passengers and crew, and three hearty cheers rang forth, such, of a certainty, as the ancient shores of the Red Sea had never heard before. The shore on the Arabian coast being very shallow, the boats could not get within some fifty yards of the dry land. Mr. West had, however, taken the precaution of sending over his own horses to await the Prince's arrival. But his Royal Highness preferred walking on shore, then mounted, and rode to the wells. After an hour or two's rest the whole party returned to the steamer and to Suez'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.