WD2992

Suspension bridge over the Begaluh River, Java. c.1815.

Probably by J. Knops.

Inscribed on front in pencil in the hand of Captain G.P. Baker: ‘The Passage of the River Begalu at Gunung Tawang from the Northward.’ Left bottom: ‘River Sirayu Rapid & stony’. Watermark: ‘J Whatman 1804.’

Pencil; 43.5 by 53.8 cm.

Note: A pencil drawing depicting a bamboo suspension bridge over the Begaluh River near Wonosobo in central Java. The village of Gunung Tawang is situated not far from where the Begaluh River joins the upper reaches of the Seraju River, thus explaining the reference in the inscription. The drawing was almost certainly made by Jan Knops on the return journey from Nusa Kambangan and Tjilatjap, Baker having elected to travel by the northern inland route to Surakarta, via Banjumas, Ledok, and Kedu. The party reached Gunung Tawang on 13 September 1815 at which time this drawing was presumably made. It was another five weeks before Surakarta was reached, Baker's progress being apparently hampered by the onset of the rainy season. He had already, on 31 August 1815, sent Raffles some preliminary observations on his s urvey of the southern coast, but his final report was not completed until November of the following year, after he had reached Calcutta.