HM Ships GALATEA and CHALLENGER in Sydney Harbour

To mark the royal visit of Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh to Sydney in HMS GALATEA in 1868, a Harbour festival was held to show off the best of the colony. Merchant ships, sailing clubs and the Naval Brigade provided escorts and procession, colour and salutes; people lined the harbour foreshores to watch and welcome the Queen's son. Newspapers reported the GALATEA's progress from England and the ceremonial events held at each port of the Duke's visit. It was a magnificent event and the Sydney visit is captured by colonial artist Frederick Garling in this painting of GALATEA and its escorts HM Ships CHALLENGER and CHARYBDIS anchored in Farm Cove.