3-021-384 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Taboga, Bay of Panama, 1868. 'The harbour of Panama, on the western or Pacific shore of the isthmus of Central America, is the resort of steam-ships belonging to several of the companies established in England or the United States for the commercial navigation of the Pacific Ocean. The vessels of the Panama, New Zealand, and Australian Royal Mail Company of London, after landing their passengers near Flamenco, in the Bay of Panama, anchor off the island of Taboga, distant about ten miles from the city; and here also do those of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, of Liverpool, which run up and down the coast of Peru and Chili, find all the accommodation they need. The Pacific Steam Navigation Company has established its repairing works at Taboga, with the dwellings of the superintendent, the surgeon, the engineers, and the mechanics employed there. Our view of this place, from a sketch by Captain Vine Hall, shows the houses of the small colony of English here, with the hospital above, and another building - the theatre...The "morro," or islet, is joined to the mainland by a piece of ground overflowed at high water; so that...it is scarcely to be regarded as a true island'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.