Quick Search
|
Search Results
You searched for: More Like: 'John Duthie, Torry Shipbuilders'
33 items
items as
Upper Dock
52 A photograph showing many large sailing ships in the Upper Dock of Aberdeen Harbour. This image looks north west towards the junction of Market and Guild Street from Regent Road (near the start of Blaikie's Quay).
The prominent granite building in the background was at the corner of this junction at 62-68 Market Street. It was a warehouse and offices with shops on the ground floor. The site was redeveloped for the office blocks that can be seen today in around the early 1980s. This block may have been demolished at that time.
Prior to the late 19th century continuing development of Market Street and the creation of Provost Jamieson's Quay, the south side of the Upper Dock was the site of various ship building yards, with timber yards behind.
The ship shown in front of the building is the City of Aberdeen. It was built in 1862 by John Duthie, Sons & Co. for the China trade. It was altered to barque rigging in 1877 and this be the period of this photograph. The ship has an entry on the Aberdeen Built Ships website here. Allenvale Cemetery from Kincorth
60 An early photograph of Allenvale Cemetery, taking shape in the middle distance, as seen from Kincorth, with Abbotswell Farm in the foreground.
A limited company called the Aberdeen Cemetery Company was established for the purpose of creating this new graveyard. A prospectus inviting public investment was published in the Aberdeen Journal of 29th January 1873. It reads as follows:
"It is well known that in Aberdeen cemetery accommodation is limited and insufficient, and it is generally admitted that its extension is necessary, and cannot much longer be delayed. It is therefore desirable to acquire additional space for that purpose, and to treat it in accordance with modern ideas and practice.
"This company has been formed for the purpose of providing an extensive Cemetery, in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, suitable in all respects for the purposes of internment, and of easy access - but sufficiently removed from town to preserve its suburban character."
The new cemetery opened in late 1874 and, as we know, was a big hit. It was officially known as the Aberdeen Cemetery but quickly became known as Allenvale Cemetery, after the property on which it was built.
Allenvale saw major extensions in 1912 and 1932. A London syndicate purchased control of the graveyard from the Aberdeen Cemetery Company in 1958. Aberdeen Town Council subsequently took control of the cemetery in 1965 following the then owners going into liquidation and worries about Allenvale's future. Allenvale remains a fine example of a planned Victorian cemetery to this day.
Notable residents of Allenvale include John James Rickard MacLeod (1876-1935), co-discoverer of insulin, James Scott Skinner (1843-1927), fiddler and composer, and Mary Esslemont (1891-1984), the influential doctor. Though, of course, many interned at Allenvale would have their own interesting stories to tell.
In this photograph, Duthie Park, later created on the right, has yet to be landscaped. St. Machar Poorhouse, Fonthill House and Devanha House can all be seen in the distance. The old Winter Gardens, Duthie Park
242 The original Winter Gardens was known as the Palm House. It was designed by the then city architect, John Rust (1844-1919), and erected from 1899. It was constructed from St. Petersburg redwood and cost £1,550 in total. It officially opened on 1st August 1900.
The roof of the Palm House suffered extensive damage during a storm in May 1969 and after 70 years of public use the building had to be demolished and rebuilt. The new Winter Gardens was opened by Lord Provost Robert S. Lennox on 8th April 1970. Plan of the Harbour of Aberdeen
292 Plan of the Harbour of Aberdeen with its alterations as proposed 1787 by Mr. Smeaton.
Gala and Heather Day in the Duthie Park
395 This Adelphi Series postcard shows the Gala Day taking place in Duthie Park on 21st August 1915.
The Gala in Duthie Park and the accompanying Heather Day were both organised to raise funds for the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The Gala Day is one of largest events ever to take place at the park. It was estimated that between 25,000 and 26,000 people attended. Tickets cost 6 pence (6d) for general admission and 2s 6d for carriages or motor cars.
Within the park there was an elaborate programme of entertainment and refreshments organised. Details of the programme were published in a 32 page booklet prior to the event. Upwards of 1,300 people took part in the programme.
Gates to the park opened at 3pm and the event officially commence at 3pm with a grand military parade. Lieut-Colonel A. H. Leith of Glenkindie, Garrison Commander, and Lord Provost James Taggart "took the salute" opposite the Hygiea statue.
The Gala and Heather Day were organised by a distinct committee; Taggart was its president and Alexander Findlay, Superintendent of Cleansing, was its chairman. Councillor H. J. Gray was the secretary and treasurer and Mr John Lints was his assistant. There were also conveners and secretaries for various sub-committees concerned with aspects like entertainment and refreshments.
There was a wide range of entertainment organised for within the park including singing, dancing, gymnastic displays, musical drill, motor cycle gymkhana and bayonet fighting. Various platforms saw performances from acts such as a company lead by D. M. Kinghorn, pierrots directed by Minnie Mearns, Dan Williams, and W. A. Craig's operatic choir. Charles Soutar lead a 500 strong choir of children from the city's public schools.
Practically all naval and military units present in the city were represented at the event and individuals from many of them took part in the sporting competitions. The day also included a 5-a-side football and tug of war competition. Preliminary matches for these took place prior to the day at Pittodrie Park.
The Gala Day was filmed and this was later shown as part of a special programme at the Picture House on Union Street from the 25th of the month.
Over £500 was taken at the gates for the event. Entertainment and refreshments within further increased the figure raised.
Heather Day itself generated another £474. This involved over 1,500 vendors going around all parts of the city selling sprigs of the plant. The sale started on the afternoon of the Friday and continued all through Saturday. Entertainment venues throughout the city were also visited.
The vendors were primarily young women and members of organisations like the boys brigade. Stores present in all areas of the city were replenished from a central depot at 173a Union Street. This in turn was supplied by the cleansing department buildings in Poynernook Road, where the preceding week had seen 200,000 sprigs prepared for sale. Peterhead, Inverurie, Ellon and Banchory organised their own Heather Days for the same fund.
The sum taken from both the Gala and the Heather Day was estimated at considerably over £1,000.
See the report in the Aberdeen Journal, Monday 23rd August 1915 page 8, for further details about the occasion. D. Cameron, Bakers
442 A photograph of Mr D. Cameron on his horse and cart and outside his bakery and confectioners shop at 76 Skene Square.
This photograph was taken by Kidd & Stridgen of 33 New Market Gallery, Aberdeen.
A copy of this image was kindly lent to the Aberdeen City Libraries for reproduction by William Donald of Udny Green.
Local historian A. G. Duthie has been in touch to suggest that if we look at the Ordance Survey from 1902 (Aberdeenshire sheet 075.11), judging by the shape and position of the buildings, there is a plausible location for this building north of Skene Square School on the other side of the road. Maitland's Quay
608 A photograph looking north from Maitland's Quay, off Sinclair Road, into the River Dee Dock, also known as the Torry Dock.
Supply boats are moored in the dock and mud silos are visible on the left of the image, next to the site of John Lewis & Sons' shipyard.
Beyond the dock, across the River Dee, oil tanks can be seen on Point Law and the shipyard of Hall Russell can be seen in the far distance.
This image was likely taken in the 1980s. Maitland's Quay
613 A photograph looking north east from Maitland's Quay, off Sinclair Road, into the River Dee Dock, also known as the Torry Dock.
Supply boats are moored in the dock and mud silos are visible on the left of the image, next to the site of John Lewis & Sons' shipyard.
Beyond the dock, across the River Dee, oil tanks can be seen on Point Law.
This image was likely taken in the 1980s. Wellington Lodge
811 A photograph showing Wellington Lodge on the corner of Justice Mill Lane and Holburn Street.
The top of Holburn Street, towards Holburn Junction, was previously known as South Street and later as Wellington Place. In the background of this image, on the far left, can be seen the John Smith designed Water House on Union Street.
Wellington Lodge stood across the road from Holburn Church, roughly where the Glentanar Bar stands today. It can be seen on the large scale Ordnance Survey town plan and map sheets from the 1860s.
The property appears to have belonged to the Whytes of Dalhebity, Cults. For some time Wellington Lodge was the residence of Helen Whyte and she was likely the house's final resident.
Helen Whyte died aged 85 on 31st January 1898 (death notice: Aberdeen Weekly Journal, 09/02/1898, p. 4). Newspaper references suggest she was involved in various charitable activities. She was the daughter of Baillie John Whyte, a merchant, and had a brother also called John Whyte (1845-1904), a prominent citizen and advocate.
Another death notice indicates that Mary Ann Hardie, of 48 Victoria Road, Torry, was employed for 38 years as the servant for Miss Helen Whyte. Hardie died in 1895 (death notice: Aberdeen Journal, 17/08/1895, p. 4).
Newspapers also suggest the villa was the home of Miss Mary Murray Gordon. She would likely have been a relation of James Murray Gordon who was a partner in the same law firm as John Whyte, Helen's aforementioned brother.
Wellington Lodge was probably demolished shortly after the death of Helen Whyte. It made way for the extension of the larger tenement buildings on Holburn Street that can be seen in the background of this photograph.
The Aberdeen Weekly Journal's 'Granite Chips' column of 17th May 1899 (p. 9) states "A very large and handsome block of buildings for Mr Peter Farquharson has been erected in Holburn Street, stretching from the office of the Union Bank of Scotland to Justice Mill Lane." This most likely refers to this development.
David Miller in Archibald Simpson, Architect, His Life and Times 1790-1847 (2006) states that this villa was designed by Simpson for Mrs Yeats of Auquharney (page 174). Boys' Brigade King's Message
1010 A photograph showing the Boys' Brigade King's Message at Stonehaven Market on 23rd April 1935. The town's 1827 Market Buildings can be seen in the background.
To mark the silver jubilee of King George V on 6th May 1935 the Boys' Brigade undertook a roughly 2300 mile relay run of a silver baton containing a message of homage and congratulation from John O' Groats to London.
The journey started in stormy weather at 7am on 16th April 1935. As the baton travelled south it was passed from runners from one Brigade company to another.
The leg from Culter to Maryculter was carried by Sgt. W. Duthie, Cpl. D. Birse and Pte. D. Angus. The baton was then transferred to Sgt. H. Douglas, Pte. W. Brooks and Pte. L. Gordon for the next leg to Netherley and the leg to Stonehaven was carried by Sgt. J. Brown, Pte. A. Brown and Pte. I. Hay.
This photo likely shows the latter three runners having handed on the baton for the next leg. An account of this part of the baton's journey can be found in the Press & Journal of 24th April 1935 on page 5. The article indicates the baton left Culter at 7.45am on 23rd April 1935 and reached Stonehaven at 11am the same day.
The next stage south, to Kinneff, was undertaken by Sergeant J. Thomson, escorted by Corporal Christie and Lance-Corporal G. Thomson, all of 21st Aberdeen company. The Wellington Suspension Bridge
1510 Aberdeen from Torry, showing the Wellington Suspension Bridge.
In 1799 a turnpike road was established between Aberdeen and Stonehaven and the Menzies of Pitfodels and the inheritors of the church at Nigg created the Wellington Suspension Bridge to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the new road.
The engineering of the bridge was carried out by Captain Samuel Brown and the architectural features designed by John Smith.
The bridge, which replaced the Craiglug Ferry, opened to pedestrians in November 1830 and full traffic six months later.
It required refurbishment in 1930 and then had to close to vehicles in 1984. In 2002 it was completely closed but after restoration it re-opened for pedestrians in 2008.
It is now a category A listed structure Grandholm Mills
1715 The dinner hour, workers crossing the bridge over the River Don.
The history of the mills in Woodside has gone through prosperous and bad times with several being closed in the mid-1800s and subsequently reopened towards the end of the century. The success especially of the paper and cloth mills of the area has provided work for many generations of Woodsiders.
A linen and cloth factory moved to the Grandholme mills site in mid-18th century from Gordon Mills and was taken over by James and John Crombie in 1859. J&J Crombie went on to produce the famous worldwide Crombie cloth at the Grandholme Mill, leading to the long association between Woodside and the fabric. The mill at one point employed up to 3000 people.
J&J Crombie were included on a list of government suppliers and one tenth of all coats worn by British officers of the First World War were made with the Crombie cloth. By World War II 467 miles of the cloth was being produced at the Grandholme mill per year.
By 1960 Grandholm was the largest supplier of tweed in the UK and also produced silk, wool, cashmere and yarns. Sadly the business has now been moved away from the Woodside area to the Borders.
Premises of George Roberts, Upholsterers
1719 Local historian A. G. Duthie has been in touch to identify this shop as being located at 474 Union Street. It features at this address in the 1910-11 Post Office directory for Aberdeen.
The basement access, raised steps, and metal railings are all long gone from the building. This is the case of most of the buildings around this area. There are some that remain further east along Union Street.
The edge of a building that can be seen on the extreme left of the photo is that of the distinctive Waterhouse. It is a four storey tenemental building designed by John Smith and built in 1830. It contained machinery and a large tank to extract and distribute water from the River Dee. It later served as a fire station, carriage and horse hire premises and various banks. Hay's Views of Aberdeen
1810 A view of Aberdeen and the River Dee from the south west by lithographer John Hay and from 1840.
The view shows salmon fishing in the river and linen bleaching activities on the Torry side.
The spires of the South Parish Church, on Belmont Street, St. Nicholas Kirk and the Tolbooth can be seen on the skyline. The Castle Hill Barracks is also clearly visible. The 'City of London'
2006 The 'City of London' was launched in April 1844 from the yard of Robert Napier at Govan on the River Clyde, having been built for the Aberdeen Steam Navigation Company and designed by John Duthie, Jnr of Aberdeen. She was regarded as 'the largest and most magnificent iron steamship ever yet built in any part of Her Majesty's dominions' - with the exception of 'Great Britain'. She was constructed entirely of iron, but her deck and the ornamental parts of her cabins were fitted out in oak. She was 231 feet long and measured 1116 tons, and was powered by two engines each of 130 horsepower. This would make her one of the fastest vessels on the Aberdeen - London voyage. She had berths for 110 passengers, with spacious, elegant cabins. The salon was furnished with sofas and chairs covered in green Genoa velvet, while ornamental coloured glass and mirrors produced a warm light.
Her first voyage to London was in July 1844, when her cargo included 600 boxes of salmon and 215 cattle. Her return voyage was completed in under 38 hours - five hours faster than any other vessel had achieved.
By 1870, she was taken off the run, and disposed of. A new 'City of London' was launched in 1871, and she was an even faster vessel and used about 100 tons of coal on each return journey. Alexander Ledingham Portrait of Fanny
2139 This studio portrait is of a young woman called Fanny. The stamp on the lower right of the image indicates it was taken by Ledingham of Rosemount. The easel and brush design of the stamp suggests Ledingham's artistic aspirations as a photographer.
Alexander Ledingham ran a photographic studio at 101a Rosemount Place from 1911 until well into the 1950s. He took over these premises from John S. Greenacre who opened his studio in June 1899. Prior to this Greenacre had worked with G. W. Wilson & Co.
Ledingham's father, another Alexander, run a newsagent and took a prominent part in public life. He ran his shop from 27 Bank Street, Ferryhill for 10 years before moving in 1890 to premises at 41 Victoria Road, Torry. He eventually retired from business in 1904. He played a large role in the incorporation of Torry into the city of Aberdeen and was involved in many improvements to the area.
Ledingham Senior died in August 1926 and his obituary is available to view on the Silver City Vault. It gives further details of his involvement in politics, the church and his work as an author - many of his titles are held by Aberdeen Local Studies. Aberdeen Cinemas: Regent / Odeon
3417 The Regent was opened as the second, companion cinema of Jack Poole, after his transformation of the Palace on Bridge Place that had opened in 1931. The Justice Mills location was selected and the cinema was constructed on the eastern end of the historic Upper Mill. A cinema was able to utilise the sloping nature of the site in the way few other projects could.
Michael Thomson in Silver Screen in the Silver City (1988) states that work progressed on the new cinema at an excellent rate with virtually all material and labour coming from local sources. The sparkling Rubislaw granite frontage was the work of masons Edgar Gauld of Gilcomston Terrace. Wood for the joinery work came from Sweden and Finland.
The Regent was Aberdeen's first all-new cinema since the Torry Picture House a decade before. It was also the first cinema designed by Thomas Scott Sutherland, who had previously been a designer of, and dealer in, houses, notably the granite bungalows of the Broomhill estate.
The impressive new cinema opened on Saturday 27th February 1932, to an audience mostly of guests, with the main feature being a melodrama called Over the Hill. Reporting on the opening, the Evening Express wrote the following:
"Even though Aberdeen has many magnificent edifices, there is nothing quite so distinctive as the modern design of the front of the new Regent. Fine use has been made of straight lines and curves placed in sharp contrast, and the face that looks through the entrance to Justice Mill Lane on Holburn Street has an imposing dignity about it and yet an elusive gaiety in its composition. It is built of grey granite decorated with bands of red terracotta, and a polished black granite base."
The frontage was floodlit by night and outlined by Aberdeen's neon display. Above the gantry was the large, neon "Regent" sign which made the cinema a beacon at night. The Regent and the Palace were then advertised as "Aberdeen's Super Two".
The Regent's manager John K. Stafford Poole, son of Jack Poole, was aged only 21 when the Regent opened and his innovative promotion and displays became a signature of the cinema. The younger Poole regularly invited the Gordon Highlanders to screenings and in return they would afterwards march, pipes a-skirl, through the cinema and along Union Street back to their barracks.
The Regent proved hugely popular and was soon out-performing the Palace. The success of Poole's Regent prompted Aberdeen Picture Palaces to undertake the creation of their own super-cinema, the Capitol, which would open in 1933. The same year also saw the release of King Kong and the publicity stunt of a human dressed as an ape rampaging on the frontage of the Regent.
On 16th July 1936 it was announced that another southern company called County Cinemas had acquired all the Poole picture houses, those in Devonport, Derby and Plymouth, as well as the Palace and Regent in Aberdeen. In 1939 County Cinemas merged with the larger Odeon chain. In July 1940 the "Regent" sign came down to be replaced with one that read "Odeon". As part of this powerful national circuit, the cinema could rival any in Aberdeen for showing major features.
[Information primarily sourced from Silver Screen in the Silver City (1988) by Michael Thomson] Commercial Road
3514 Image looking east along the floor of the graving dock on Commercial Road. This dry dock is shown in the Aberdeenshire LXXV.11 Ordnance Survey 25-inch map published 1902.
The photograph depicts multiple steamships set up for maintenance. The third boat along is the Maggie Gault (INS 126). The Aberdeen Built Ships website states that the boat was built by John Duthie of Torry for James and William Gault, Lossiemouth. It was a steam herring drifter that launched in April 1910. Matthews' Quay
3532 A photograph taken from Matthew's Quay looking east into the Tidal Harbour and beyond.
The image depicts multiple docked fishing vessels with registrations from Kirkcaldy, Methil, Banff, Inverness and Aberdeen.
The last ship in the first row is the fishing liner Sickle (BF1787) which was built by George Innes & Son in 1894 in their Three Creeks yard in Portknockie. It was later broken up in 1919.
Seen in the second row of ships is the Favourite (INS163) owned by W. Cormack. This is an Inverness registered steam drifter which operated from 1907 until it was scrapped in 1937.
The last ship seen in the second row is the fishing drifter Diligence (BF172) built by John Duthie, Sons & Co. in Aberdeen in 1906. Its first owner was George Falconer in Banff which explains the BF designation. After coming into the ownership of Thomas and Andrew Adam in Kirkcaldy it was re-registered with the designation KY164 in 1913. The Diligence was later broken up in 1936.
To the right can seen the steam liner White Rose (A149). A Buckie Advertiser article from 23rd November 1899 mentions it being built for a client in Aberdeen and being towed to the city by its sister ship the Caledonia. It was renamed the Silverna on 8th July 1922. On 14th February 1929 it was sold for breaking up. It was the first steam powered fishing vessel built in the Buckie district.
In front of the White Rose can be seen the Unity (INS450) which was launched from Buckpool in 1896 and belonged to J. Ralph and W. McPherson.
The presence of the Diligence with the designation BF rather than KY suggests that this photograph was taken before 1913 while the presence of the Favourite (INS163) suggests the photograph was taken after 1907. Matthews' Quay
3533 Photograph taken from Matthew's Quay looking east into the Tidal Harbour and beyond.
The photo depicts multiple docked fishing vessels with registrations from Kirkcaldy, Methil, Banff, Inverness and Aberdeen.
The last ship in the first row is the fishing liner Sickle (BF1787) which was built by George Innes & Son in 1894 in their Three Creeks yard in Portknockie. It was later broken up in 1919.
Seen in the second row of ships is the Favourite (INS163) owned by W. Cormack. This is an Inverness registered steam drifter which operated from 1907 until it was scrapped in 1937.
The last ship seen in the second row is the fishing drifter Diligence (BF172) built by John Duthie, Sons & Co. in Aberdeen in 1906. Its first owner was George Falconer in Banff which explains the BF designation. After coming into the ownership of Thomas and Andrew Adam in Kirkcaldy it was re-registered with the designation KY164 in 1913. The Diligence was later broken up in 1936.
To the right you can see the steam liner White Rose (A149). An 23rd November article from the Buckie Advertiser mentions it being built for a client in Aberdeen. It was towed to Aberdeen by its sister ship the Caledonia. It was later renamed to Silverna on 8th July 1922. On 14th February 1929 it was sold for breaking up. It was the first steam powered fishing vessel built in the Buckie district.
In front of the White Rose can be seen the Unity (INS450) which was launched from Buckpool in 1896 and belonged to J. Ralph and W. McPherson.
The presence of the Diligence with the designation BF rather than KY suggests that this photograph was taken before 1913 while the presence of the Favourite (INS163) tells us that the photograph was taken after 1907. Torry
3587 Facing south-west, towards the church hall, this shot shows sailing fishing boats moored mid-stream in the Torry Harbour.
A skiff approaches under partial sail in front of the leading light house. From the right of this lighthouse the edge of a building peeks out with the name "Miller".
David Miller ran a popular spirits shop on the corner of Sinclair Road and Baxter Street. He appears in the Aberdeen Post Office Directories from 1904.
The shop changes hands in 1906 to John P. Miller, a presumed family member.
See image GN12_05 for more details regarding an approximate date of 1916. Winter Gardens
3809 A photograph of the interior of the Winter Gardens at Duthie Park. This image likely dates from the 1970s.
The indoor gardens shown here were constructed as a replacement for an earlier structure on the same site.
The original winter gardens were known as the Palm House. It was designed by the then city architect, John Rust, and erected from 1899. It was constructed from St. Petersburg redwood and cost £1,550 in total. It officially opened on 1st August 1900.
The roof of the Palm House suffered extensive damage during a storm in May 1969 and after 70 years of public use the building had to be demolished and rebuilt. The new Winter Gardens, those shown here, were opened by Lord Provost Robert S. Lennox on 8th April 1970.
This photograph shows a large number of people enjoying a large garden to the east of the building. Duthie Park's lodge and the park's northern entrance can be seen out the windows at the back.
In 2002 the Winter Gardens were renamed in memory of David Welch. He was an influential director of parks in Aberdeen and is generally credited with transforming the city's parks and gardens during the 22 years he held the post.
This image comes from a collection of slides donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's publicity department. Treasure 50: Heroines of Shakspeare
221 Celebrating 400 years since the death of the literary great, one of our April treasures looks at an unusual publication concerning the works of William Shakespeare.
Published in the mid-19th Century, this wonderful volume was donated to Aberdeen Public Library by Miss Emily Jane Duthie, a retired teacher living on Skene Terrace.
Born in India in 1868 Miss Duthie was the daughter of Robert Duthie, Superintendent of the Scottish Orphanage in Bombay during the days of the British Empire. The school was founded in 1847 by Scottish Christian Missionaries to educate the daughters of Scottish Presbyterian Soldiers based in India. Since then, the school has continued to thrive and is now one of the most prestigious in Mumbai.
It is highly likely that Miss Duthie's early years based at the institution, followed by her own studies and subsequent career would have introduced her to the world of Shakespeare and perhaps piqued an interest in the many female characters depicted therein. The kind donation clearly demonstrates her continuing desire and passion to educate others in later life, once her career as a teacher had come to an end.
"The heroines of Shakspeare" is chiefly an art book; a means to showcase the forty-eight imagined portraits of the Bard's fictional characters. The attempt to capture a visual representation of the prominent female characters provides a neat bridge between Shakespeare's contemporary audiences (who would have seen female roles assigned to young boys), and our modern age of television and film which is frequently dominated by physical appearance.
Although educated Victorian audiences would have been familiar with the written words, the illustrations attempt to capture a definitive image of each character, including approximate age, costume, physical features and demeanour as revealed by the playwright.
The images are portraits of Hamlet's Ophelia, Othello's Desdemona, Romeo and Juliet's Juliet and of course - Lady Macbeth (from the Scottish play!)
The illustrations are printed on thick paper from original engravings by portrait artists including Augustus Egg, John Hayter and John William Wright. The book is bound with gilt edges and also contains sturdy decorated endboards.
The curious spelling of Shakespeare in the title reflects the fact that during the Bard's own lifetime there was no single accepted form - the man himself spelling his own name differently in various editions of his work. Although this may seem strange to modern readers the tradition harks back to an era when language was much more fluid, and established forms of spelling simply did not exist in the way that we know today.
Aberdeen Harbour plans by John Smeaton
522 A plate showing two plans, titled Plan of the Harbour of Aberdeen as it was in 1769 and Plan of the Harbour with its Alterations, as proposed 1787 by J. Smeaton.
This plate (no. 2, from opposite page 38) features in the book Reports of the late John Smeaton, F.R.S. made on various occasions, in the course of his employment as a civil engineer, volume III, (London, 1812). It accompanies a report by Smeaton about Aberdeen Harbour, dated to 19th February 1770, outlining the engineer's proposed measures, including estimated costs, to prevent the silting of the harbour and improve its access, particularly for larger ships.
The main element of Smeaton's improvements, as proposed in his report and shown on both plans, was the construction of the harbour's North Pier. Completed by around 1780, the pier was subsequently extended first, on the advice of Thomas Telford, between 1810 and 1816 and again between 1869 and 1874.
The shown plans are credited to J. Smeaton, with J. Farey Jun. given as the delineator and W. Lowry as the engraver ("scupl.").
The three volume book contains Smeaton's reports from various engineering projects. A copy of each volume is available in the Local Studies reserve stock at Aberdeen City Libraries. |