File:Pen and Pencil (newspaper), 3 March 1855 page 8.jpg

Illustrations (signed) from Pen and Pencil (an illustrated Family Newspaper).

Cape Hamilton, Heligoland.

page 60 HELIGOLAND. Heligoland is a small island belonging to Great Britain, in the North Sea, 26 miles from the mouth of the Elbe, and about the same distance from the rivers Oder, Weser, and Eider: the area is about 5 1/4 square miles, divided into two portions, the one high, surrounded with bold rocky cliffs, the other a low dune—a ledge of rocks uniting the two parts. The cliffs vary from 90 to 200 feet in height, and are composed of a red sandstone, conglomerated, brilliantly red in colour, and cut by the action of the waves into fanciful shapes, and, in some cases, caverns and archways; the sea continually wearing away the face and exposing fresh forms. On one side is a large sand bank, formerly a part of the island, and upon which the sea now beats, during some winds, with immense fury. A lighthouse stands upon the top of the cliff, which is an important mark to vessels navigating the contracted sea lying between the coasts of Sleswig Holstein and Hanover; it stands in latitude 54° 11' 34" north, and longitude 7° 53' 13 east. The lighthouse is supported from dues paid by British ships entering the port of Hamburg. There is a small town on the cliffs, consisting of about 350 houses, with a church and schools; the houses are chiefly inhabited by small traders and fishermen. The inhabitants are of Prussian extraction, and speak a dialect of that language. They are chiefly employed in the haddock and lobster fishery. The fish is sold chiefly at Hamburg, or exchanged there for such necessaries as the inhabitants require; the island of Heligoland itself producing literally nothing. Attempts are made to raise a little barley in small patches, and from one to two hundred sheep are grazed on the poor pastures. Heligoland, in ancient times, was the residence of a chief of the Sciambri or North Frieslanders, and was the seat of worship of the Saxon goddess Phoseter, from which circumstance its name (Holy Island) was derived. It was in the possession of Denmark until 1807, when it was taken by the English, and regularly ceded to them by the treaty of Kiel in 1814. During the late war, when the ports of Germany were closed against the English by Napoleon, an immense contraband trade was carried on between this country and the continental ports, Heligoland being the great depot where goods of every description were accumulated ; the island at that time is said to have become one gseat general shop, to which even Napoleon himself was sometimes obliged secretly to resort, to supply himself with stores necessary for his own armies. Since that time no attention has been paid to it; but it now becomes again interesting, as the site of a camp for a Foreign Legion, if a Foreign Legion be raised. (See view, p. 56.)

The Admiralty Court., London. Mountjoy House near St Paul's?

THE ADMIRALTY COURT --- We give (page 56) a view of the Admiralty Court, interesting at the present time, since it is there the numerous trials take place to decide upon the right of capture of Russian prizes. Questions of breach of blockade are also under its jurisdiction. The Court is situated in Great Knight Rider Street, Doctors' Commons. Our Engraving represents a claim for restitution of the Leucade, argued before Dr. Lushington, on Thursday, March 1.

Pen and Pencil, an Illustrated Family Newspaper. 1855. London. Published by Joseph Clayton, jr. 265 Strand. reference Printed by Joseph Clayton, jun., at the printing office of Joseph Clayton, Sen., and published by Joseph Clayton, jun., at the offices of Pen and Pencil, 10 Crane Court, Fleet Street, 265 Strand, and 223 Piccadilly.