captains & sailors
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George did love dressing as a sailor didn’t he?
Against the Gate. Source: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
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Not only did Edward VII wear kilts and captain’s uniforms, apparently he also when younger liked to wear a fireman’s uniform – after a fire in his youth he became obsessed with fires and firemen – and had permission to go and put out fires!
The “king” who wanted to be a fireman was Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VII). His interest in firefighting began in 1864, when there was a blaze in the nursery of Marlborough House, the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Prince of Wales helped put out the burning floorboards and organised servants in a human chain to carry jugs and buckets of water. He got such a buzz from his actions that he asked the fire brigade if he could assist with fighting future major fires in the capital. His wish was granted.
After donning a fireman’s uniform and helmet, he was present when a blaze destroyed the 17th-century Saville House in Leicester Square in 1865. Queen Victoria, his mother, was said to disapprove of such “gallivanting”, but to no avail.
I’ve heard he used to hang around Soho dressed as a fireman…cue jokes/fantasies about big hoses and firemen’s lifts *swoon*
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Just don’t drop it in the shower…
1900 Lifebuoy Royal Disinfectant Soap Advert; for preservation of health
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Robert Smalls, who escaped with the whole crew and their families from the South and slavery during the US Civil War by piloting and stealing a Confederate transport ship, the Planter steamer ship – then convinced Lincoln that African American should be allowed to serve, then lead a life as a captain and a politician. An amazing life under extreme conditions 😀
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Captain Cuninghame, 42nd Royal Highland Regiment, Crimea 1855.
You are looking at photographical history, Roger Fenton’s pictures of the Crimea basically invented and proved the use of war photography.
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A “Tough” Dance 1902 eith Kid Foley and Sailor Lil. (by LibraryOfCongress)
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/) -
Captain William C. Thompson via LOC
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A Captain, Russian navy 1893
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Transatlantic steamship captain
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More Captain Edward John Smith.
I’m reading 1912 Facts about the Titanic which I heartily recommend, it’s a good read – loads of human stories including of the ‘little people’ which a lot of the accounts tend to focus on the Astors and Guggenheims and Strausses.
I also bought a replica of the 3rd Class White Star Line coffee cup, which is as camp as hell but lovely.