The Narrows got it name from the narrow opening into the harbour, and is sheltered on the north and south sides by steep rock cliffs. A captain has to be very skilled to navigate large ships through this passageway, known as ‘Threading the Eye of the Needle’. The channel has a depth of about 11 metres and the narrowest point near Chain Rock is 61 metres wide.
I often sit on the Battery Hills and watch cruise ships motor in guided by our little Pilot boat and still amazed as they seem to fill the harbour on approach. The Narrows has served an important defense of the city from early pirates and settlers in 1655 to both World Wars.
This is a reproduction of the original watercolour painting and the framing is handcrafted by the artist.