File:Greenwich Hospital RMG PW7609.tiff

This is either a copy of a drawing by Holland or is taken from an undated print by J. Henshall (PAD2258) derived from it. Holland certainly drew a similarly panoramic view on 21 October 1832 (Trafalgar Day) which is also in the collection (neg. D7215), but Henshall's more conventionally proportioned print, with the above title, was probably based on another version. (This was published by Simpkin and Marshall, and Thomas Stephens, apparently as part of a series or part-work.)

The view is eastwards across the riverfront of Greenwich Hospital, from the foreshore reclaimed for the construction of Greenwich Pier (1836). The river wall is visible on the left with blocks of masonry and figures, and a spritsail barge is in the distance. On the right is the now demolished western pavilion which terminated the riverfront walk inside the Hospital railings, beyond nets draped over what may be a mooring capstan. The bars for this are propped against the railings. Two boats are visible behind the nets and a fisherman is also hanging nets out to dry on the railings beyond, with two sculling boats upside down behind him, centre. These are clearer in the engraving, which also shows a small scow upside down by the foreground nets. The present example is weakly drawn as well as derivative. It is signed 'W.H.C.' in the bottom right corner but the received authority for identifying this as Campbell and suggesting a firm date of 1834 needs to be verified.