The Importance of Being Precise

The Importance of Being Precise

The box, or suitcase, under the bed is covered with a thick layer of dust and then someone decides to have a look at all those old photographs. Any glass negatives are glanced at briefly but are unlikely to be scanned or printed, as CDs and DVDs are unlikely to be viewed further down the path of time. The pictures look interesting, but in too many cases we turn them over and still have no idea who or what they are. It only takes a moment to write on the back of a print "Uncle George 6 May 1890" - the more the better, but at least who it is.

So to today's discovery amongst the mass of old images I have under the bed. This one has historic interest, and I present it entirely in its untouched state, without any restoration done. It is a picture of the RMS Aquitania, approaching Halifax N.S (Nova Scotia) June 1st 1949 (Kathleen and Kiddies aboard). We don't know who Kathleen is, or her kiddies, but we do know this is right at the end of the Aquitania's life, its last job being bringing new immigrants from Liverpool to Canada. In 1950, the "Ship Beautiful" as it was called in its transatlantic passenger days of glory, was finally scapped at Faslane in Scotland.

Aquitania was built ar Clydebank, Scotland, by John Brown and Company, and launched on 21st April 1913. Its maiden trip to New York set sail from Liverpool on 30th May 1914. It saw passenger duty for Cunard, troop duty in two world wars and finally emigration from the UK to canada before its scrappage. All researched after finding one small black and white print. So, let's annotate those family snaps before nobody remembers who we are!