First World War internee engraving of Douglas Camp
Date made: 1918
Description: The engraving is a view looking down over Douglas Internment Camp with the gardens in the foreground, then the bell tents and chalets with the town of Douglas in the background. The view shows Douglas Head, the harbour and Tower of Refuge with a Steam Packet vessel sailing out of Douglas. Internees are shown walking through the Camp. The engraving is entitled 'Douglas Lager Inset Man - A.Rieger 1918' and has water staining around the edges.
Background:
During the First World War (1914-1918) the Isle of Man was used as an internment base for civilian ‘enemy aliens’. They were held in two camps, a requisitioned holiday camp in Douglas and a purpose built camp located at Knockaloe near Peel on the west coast of the Island. These held at their peaks over 4,000 and 23,000 men in some cases for nearly five years between opening in 1914 and final closure in 1919.
Measurements: overall: 18.3 cm x 46 cm
Materials: paper
Object name: engraving
Collection: Art Collection
ID number: 2008-0170/2
Subject tags : #WW1INTERNMENTMUSEUMCOLLECTIONS