Remains of the old settlement, Chatham Island, Port Cornwallis

Photograph of 9 men, standing in the background with trees as a backdrop, facing the viewer, some holding rifles. In the foreground, on a beach, lie the remains of old brick built walls lying on their side, the remains of an earlier penal site which had been set up at Port Cornwallis in 1793 and abandoned in 1796. On the right, a further 3 men stand, two of whom have their backs to the viewer.  

Port Cornwallis used to be known by the name of Port Blair, a naval base and penal colony which was established was established during the late 18th century on Chatham Island. It was then named Port Cornwallis after the Royal Naval officer Admiral William Cornwallis (1744-1819). Oscar Mallitte was part of a British survey party to the Andaman Islands (off the east coast of India) which was tasked with establishing a penal colony for Indian convicts. The party, led by Frederic John Mouat, a British surgeon, landed at Port Cornwallis on 11 December 1857.