15. Dec, 2021
Two Interesting Early 20th Century Photo Albums.
I am today adding photos from two interesting small albums that I own. One is titled A Ten Days Cruise Round Scotland, on the Princess Alberta. This was a vessel built in Dumbarton by William Denny and Bros, Ltd. It was completed in 1905, and in the summer of 1906, the owners offered five 10-day cruises from Liverpool round Scotland. This was the only year in which cruises of this length were offered, so I have assumed the photos date from 1906. The ship was requisitioned by the Admirality during World War One, and it sank in 1917 in the Aegean Sea after hitting a mine, with the loss of 33 lives.
Perhaps the most interesting photographs from this collection are the two naval vessels they passed, one a submarine. Otherwise, it is a record of a typical early 20th century Scottish cruise.
The other album is shows the works buildings of John Cran & Co., Shipbuilders at Leith. Not exactly the far north of Scotland, but an interesting record of an important early 20th century Scottish industry. They were, I think, a small company, building it seems tugs and similar-sized vessels, one of their customers being the Admiralty. Most of the images are without descriptions, but some show the proud employees with their works of labour, and it is a fascinating collection. Clearly, the company suffered a fire or something, which can be seen in the last two photos.