Osborne Illustrated - Fishing From The Rocks

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Greenham & Evans

c. 1898

Overview

Sepia print of men fishing in Freshwater Bay.

On a group of weathered rocks overhung by dying trees are two fishing groups. In the foreground a man dressed in light trousers, a slightly darker jacket and a boater is leaning forward over his rod. Behind him on the rocks is a gladstone bag and two similarly dressed observers. One man perched cross-legged on the rocks and the other, cane in hand, leaning against the outcrop.

Behind them are two umbrellas obscuring others.

In the background, on another outcrop, are a further three fishers and on a steep, sandy slope a young boy reaching up to a tree branch.

The river is rippling gently and the foreshore across the bay is undeveloped.

Historical information

In 1894, James Grave began building the Osborne Hotel on 2 acre property on a cliff top in Claremont. The hotel had views of the Swan River and Indian Ocean and was regarded as Perth's finest resort hotel.

The hotel was surmounted by a tower with a 70 foot turret and was surrounded by landscaped gardens with fountains, flowers, retreats, shades and summer houses.

There was also a tennis court, bowling green, boat shed, swimming baths, with a flight of 200 steps (Osborne Steps) leading to the water's edge to cater for those arriving by boat at the Osborne Jetty.

The hotel and a street were named after Matilda Osborne, wife of the late William Osborne who financed the purchase of the land and the construction of the Hotel.

The Osborne Hotel was purchased by the Catholic Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters) in 1901 and converted into the Loreto Convent.

The Loreto Convent was demolished in 1962.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-28--98-469

Item type

Photographs

Themes

People

Social History

Material

Negatives