South East View of Fort St George, Madras--Artist and engraver: Daniell, Thomas (1749-1840) Medium: Aquatint, coloured Date: 1797

Plate 7 from the second set of Thomas and William Daniell's 'Oriental Scenery.' Fort St George was the earliest fortified settlement of the East India Company in south India, the fort being begun in 1640. It was, however, completely unprotected from the sea until the construction of a protected harbour in the late 19th Century; ships had to anchor in the roads and land their passengers and cargoes by means of small boats. Simple wooden boats called masula were used to transport people and goods through the heavy surf and then boatsmen would carry the passengers ashore on their shoulders.