Biloela Island, Parramatta River.

Rare c.19th hand coloured engraving of Cockatoo Island.

In 1869 the penal establishment at Cockatoo Island was formally closed and the remaining prisoners were transferred to Darlinghurst Gaol. In an effort to dissociate the site from its penal associations, the authorities subsequently renamed it ‘Biloela’.

From the original edition of The Illustrated Sydney News.

References:
Gibbs & Shallard. Illustrated Sydney News. ISSN 2203-5397.

Collections:
State Library New South Wales: F8/39-40
State Library Victoria: PCINF SLVIC=1853-1872
National Library Australia: Bib ID 440095