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Glass Plates

Some years ago my wife Karen started collecting glass plate negatives, finding them in junk shops and latterly in auctions. A handful grew into around a thousand or so which I am gradually scanning, gently restoring when needed and adding to the collection. This is obviously a time consuming process so I expect to be working on this for a very long time.

Many of the plates are from press archives and are in a poor state, probably from being processed in a rush and perhaps not being fully washed so the images could be rushed to print and so make a deadline. Some have extended captions which have been taken from the original typewritten notes that accompany the plates and provide a fascinating window to the past.

If you wish to you use one or more of these images I would carry out a sympathetic restoration before distribution.

Friday, 25 February 2022

Strangest battleship ever built launched at Chatham

The queerest battleship ever built was launched at Chatham Dockyard. It is the H.M.S.Challenger which has been built to carry out a scheme in Arctic waters of finding new fishing grounds for trawler fleets. The work of her surveying and fishing experts may revolutionise the fishing industry. A modern laboratory has been equipped for the experts. PHOTO SHOWS:- HMS Challenger being prepared for launching at Chatham. 1932
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0125.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0126.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0127.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0128.jpg

Strangest battleship ever built launched at Chatham

The queerest battleship ever built was launched at Chatham Dockyard. It is the H.M.S.Challenger which has been built to carry out a scheme in Arctic waters of finding new fishing grounds for trawler fleets. The work of her surveying and fishing experts may revolutionise the fishing industry. A modern laboratory has been equipped for the experts. PHOTO SHOWS:- Miss Addison, Daughter of the Minister of Fisheries launching the new battleship. With her is Vice Admiral A.J.B. Stirling K.O.B.. 1932
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0129.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0130.jpg

German "Pocket Battleship" Ready for Launch

The launch at Kiel on May 19 of the first "pocket battleship" built under the replacement clauses if the "Treaty of Peace is to be the occasion for the most imposing German naval display since the War. The whole fleet will assemble in Kiel Harbour and President Hindenburg will perform the naming ceremony, and the launch will follow. the new battleship will be named Hindenburg. PHOTO SHOWS:- The new battleship, the first "pocket battleship" ready for launch in Kiel Harbour. 9 May 1931.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0131.jpg
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Destroyer controlled by radio waves built by French Engineer

A miniature destroyer controlled entirely by radio waves has been built by French engineer M.Casel The model warship is 12 feet long and is a replica of the full-size French destroyer "Terrible". All its movements, guns and torpedoes are controlled by short-wave radio. PHOTO SHOWS:- M.Casel (right) and M.Paradise, the radio engineers, with the radio controlled destroyer. Note aerial. October 16th 1937
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0135.jpg

British Training Cruiser at Kiel

The British training cruiser "Frobisher" arrived at Kiel, Germany, from Riga. The 130 cadets and midshipmen on board received a hearty welcome. PHOTO SHOWS:- The British training cruiser "Frobisher" at Kiel. In the distance are the German battleships "Koinigsberg", "Schleswig-Holstein" and "Hessen". July 24th 1933.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0136.jpg
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0137.jpg
The British Fleet in Kiel Harbour 1931. Left to right; HMS Audacious, HMS Nottingham, HMS Ajax, HMS Centurion, HMS Birmingham, HMS King George V and HMS Southampton.
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0138.jpg
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Submarine (circa 1930's ?)

Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0141.jpg
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American Navy on Parade

About 130 ships of the United States Navy took part in a great review and mock battle off the Californian coast. PHOTO SHOWS:- A view from the foremast of the U.S.S. Arizona of some of the 130 ships as they passed San Pedro, California, during the manoeuvres. USA April 7th 1933. In foreground U.S.S. Colorado
Image ID: Glass-Plate-V750-0143.jpg
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