May 2010

Image of the Month Feature - May 2010

PD-42-2-6_Hulk_Leda_Morice_Yard_Devonport_Plymouth_1880s-1900s_John_Boulden_Collection_SWiB.jpg

PD/42/2/6 - Hulk, 'Leda', Morice Yard, Devonport, Plymouth, 1880s-1900s (John Boulden Collection)

This month's image has been chosen from our John Boulden Collection by Bob Cook, SWiB volunteer. Here's what Bob had to say about his chosen image:

"My particular interest is in trying to discover the background to some of these early images. For example:

This hulk, originally HMS Leda, was the home for the whole of the Water Police and their families based at Devonport Dockyard for over 30 years from 1864. Their main function was policing the water and ships in harbour. They were based off-shore for their own safety. However, there was only one galley for all cooking facilities!

A separate (very disliked) group was charged with enforcing the Contagious Diseases Act. The reputation of their Superintendent Anniss was such that people would use his name to warn their children to behave some 20 years after he left the Force."

To see all the images from the Collection visit our PD/42 - John Boulden Collection, 1880s-1900s online galleries.


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