A broad Australian sky and the calm waters of Darling Harbour bracket this view from today’s Peacock Point, Balmain. A paddlewheel steamer ferries passengers between Balmain and this busy industrial and shipping hub on the city’s western edge. The signalling mast, Sydney Observatory and Fort Street School (the old Military Hospital) can be seen on the ridge. The cliff line below the ridge at left was constantly changing due to the quarrying activities that had commenced in the 1820s. At the water’s edge to the right are the coal wharves, chimney and buildings of the Australian Gas Light Company works, operational by 1843.