How was Cleopatra’s Needle transported to London?
Cleopatra’s Needle being brought to England, by George Knight, 1877. Repro ID: BHC0641 ©National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. We regret that Museum enquiries have not been able to identify the copyright holder and would welcome any information that would help us update our records. Please contact the Picture Library.The obelisk known as Cleopatra’s Needle was presented to the British Government in 1820, although there had been plans to bring it back in 1801 as a memorial to the victories of Nelson and Abercromby over the French in Egypt. However, it was not until 1877 that the obelisk finally arrived in this country. Cleopatra’s Needle: Construction of the Cylinder Around the Needle. Repro ID: E0050 ©National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, LondonAs it weighed over 200 tons it was encased in an iron cylinder which was then rolled by means of levers and chains down a track into the sea. It was fitted with a deckhouse, mast, rudder and steering gear and was manned by a crew of Maltese
