A grand day out.
This is clearly not my original photo. Crikey! I'm old, creaking and leaking (as my mum used to say) but not that old!
However, I love these old photo records of what life used to be like so have added it to both my Saturday Timewatch and Isle of Portland albums. Quite a bit of sleuthing was required to establish any details but this is the best I could do.
The most likely candidate is the paddle steamer P/S Premier arriving at Castletown, Portland, from Weymouth at around the turn of the 19th / 20th centuries. There are conflicting facts online but she seems to have been purchased by a local solicitor to add competition to two, possibly three existing steamers owned by Cozens (P/S Highland Maid) and The Weymouth and Portland Steam Packet Company (P/S Contractor).
Varying dates are suggested. However, the purchase of P/S Premier may, repeat *may* have been prompted by the unexpected arrival of the huge SS Great Eastern after a major boiler explosion early in her operational days. It seems this had created tremendous local interest and 'everyone' wanted to visit.
The above photo seems to be from a later date. Note the Portland stone blocks awaiting shipping. Even more, note the "Sunday best" and finery that everyone is wearing!
A grand day out.
This is clearly not my original photo. Crikey! I'm old, creaking and leaking (as my mum used to say) but not that old!
However, I love these old photo records of what life used to be like so have added it to both my Saturday Timewatch and Isle of Portland albums. Quite a bit of sleuthing was required to establish any details but this is the best I could do.
The most likely candidate is the paddle steamer P/S Premier arriving at Castletown, Portland, from Weymouth at around the turn of the 19th / 20th centuries. There are conflicting facts online but she seems to have been purchased by a local solicitor to add competition to two, possibly three existing steamers owned by Cozens (P/S Highland Maid) and The Weymouth and Portland Steam Packet Company (P/S Contractor).
Varying dates are suggested. However, the purchase of P/S Premier may, repeat *may* have been prompted by the unexpected arrival of the huge SS Great Eastern after a major boiler explosion early in her operational days. It seems this had created tremendous local interest and 'everyone' wanted to visit.
The above photo seems to be from a later date. Note the Portland stone blocks awaiting shipping. Even more, note the "Sunday best" and finery that everyone is wearing!