Smedley's view

The architect John Smedley (1841-1903) lived in a house named Uyeno for several years in the late 1880s, located at the end of what is now known as ‘Smedley’s Point’. From Uyeno, he could watch progress on the construction of the Ladies’ Baths, on the opposite side of Manly Cove, roughly where Oceanworld now sits. He advised Manly Council on the tender process for the Baths’ construction, and may have had a hand in their design. A recent visitor to Manly Library Local Studies collection, Rosalyn Smedley, is a direct descendant of John Smedley, from a branch of the family now living in Canada. Rosalyn allowed us to copy this previously unseen watercolour in the family’s possession, of Manly Cove, painted by John Smedley in circa 1889-90. I think it shows the view from Uyeno looking across to the opposite shore of Manly Cove to what is now called Federation Point, with Fairlight beyond - I can imagine John Smedley setting up his easel on the lawn at Uyeno to pain the view. I am not sure what the contraption in the picture is – perhaps it is some sort of temporary crane for unloading building materials?