Loading a steam packet with rags, London docks

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Loading a steam packet with rags, London docks

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 32377842

© The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive / Mary Evans

Docks Loading Packet Rags

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EDITORS COMMENTS
This vintage photograph, titled "Loading a Steam Packet with Rags, London Docks," transports us back in time to the bustling and industrious waterfront of late Victorian or early Edwardian London. The image, part of The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive Collection from Mary Evans Prints Online, offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily life and labor practices of the era. In the foreground, a group of workers, dressed in heavy coats and caps, are seen intently loading bundles of rags onto the deck of a steam packet. The steam packet, a common mode of transportation during this period, is docked at the London Docks, which were the primary port facilities for the city at the time. The workers appear focused and determined, as they carefully balance and secure the bundles, ensuring they are securely stowed away before the vessel sets sail. The atmosphere is thick with the smell of the sea, the sound of creaking ropes, and the clamor of activity. The steam packet's massive chimney puffs out plumes of smoke, adding to the scene's sense of industry and energy. The workers' lanterns cast an orange glow over the scene, illuminating the dockyard and adding a sense of drama and intrigue. The purpose of loading rags onto steam packets was to use them as fuel during the voyage. The rags, often collected from the streets and alleys of London, were compacted and burned in the ship's furnaces to generate steam power. This practice was a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution for powering steamships during a time when fossil fuels were not yet widely available or affordable. This photograph is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people of the past, as well as a reminder of the rich history and industrial might of London's docks during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

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