3-047-027 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

New breakwater in the harbour of Alexandria, 1872. 'The newly-constructed breakwater...is part of the system of harbour-improvement works undertaken in that place by the Egyptian Government...This much-frequented harbour was dangerous in winter, being exposed to north-west gales, and with a bar or sandbank, through which vessels had to pass by one of several narrow channels. Along this sandbank, for the length of a mile and a half, the new break-water is made...and there will be a lighthouse at each end. The materials of the breakwater are huge blocks of stone...Each block weighs about twenty tons, and 30,000 were required for the breakwater alone: they were not built in regular masonry, but cast into the sea confusedly upon each other, leaving interstices which the sand will soon fill up...The contractors for these works are Messrs. Greenfield and Co., Mr. Elliott, M.P., Mr. Maclean, M.P., and Mr. Kennard. The view which our Artist has sketched will show to those acquainted with the place what is the position of the breakwater, as it includes the lighthouse on shore and the palace of the Khedive, to the right of the lighthouse. Among the shipping, further to the right hand, is the Khedive's yacht'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.