Contributions of the group History

Bench at the Purton Hulks

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Mon, 04 May 2026 07:58:16 +0000

HBM - a photo from the overcast day out at the Purton Hulks ship graveyard on the river Severn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purton_Hulks).

Paul Barnett, a local historian, has documented a lot of research about the hulks, and has campaigned to provide them some form of protection from complete destruction. As a result, the vessel in the background - the Kennet barge Harriet" has been scheduled as an ancient monument, and included in the UK National Register of Historic Vessels". This is why it has a fence around it.

A view along the Purton Hulks

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:11:35 +0000

Gavin Johnson has posted:

On the only gloomy day in April, we visited the largest ship graveyard in mainland Britain. Over several years in the last century, around 86 vessels were deliberately grounded to reinforce the bank of the river Severn at Purton.

Most of the wooden boats have decayed away through natural weathering, though many were partly dismantled shortly after grounding by local people for use as construction materials and firewood. The best preserved are the vessels made of ferroconcrete.

Some other views and detail shots in the PiPs.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purton_Hulks

Neptune's Fountain, Cheltenham, over the years

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:59:32 +0000

Gavin Johnson has posted:

A composite image of the same area through time - Cheltenham, England.

At the top, a photo taken today, of “Neptune’s Fountain” in front of commercial offices at the end of the block of Municipal Offices in the town centre.

In the middle picture from the 1950s, the same fountain, but behind it used to be the Regal Cinema, opened in 1939, renamed as the “ABC Cinema” in 1962, closed in 1981 and demolished in 1986.

At the bottom, a restored and colourised photograph originally from around 1880, showing the Imperial Rooms at the same site. The building pictured used to be the Imperial Spa, and was originally located about 250m away from the fountain. The Imperial Spa was demolished in 1837 to make way for the construction of the Queen’s Hotel (which is still in operation) and the building was reconstructed brick by brick at the site shown.

Troopship Zeelandia, "Ship That Brought Us Home", First World War

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 17:54:55 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

These real-photo picture postcards were sold to returning U. S. soldiers as souvenirs. The photographers got pictures of the troopships being used to return the military, and then marked them up with words like "ship that brought us home".

See:

swansongrp.com/collect/wwi/postcards/index.html

Original photographer unknown, probably from 1919.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Zeelandia_(ID-2507)

Walls of Valletta (HWW)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 18:52:11 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

This is a wide crop of the original photo. The walls of Valletta are quite impressive! They have seen many centuries of military action.

Seen during our 2016 cruise of the Mediterranean.

Image processed with GIMP.

1898 Map of South America Showing Patagonia

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Fri, 08 May 2020 14:54:52 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Scan of a map printed in 1898.

Click to view more detail.

Wall on Monaco Fortress

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 17:37:42 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

This fortress overlooks the harbor at Monaco.

Quite impressive.

Image processed with GIMP.

Dubrovnik Wall (HWW)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:06:41 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

During our visits to Dubrovnik, we were told to try a walking "tour" of the remarkable walls. However, we discovered that it was too big a climb for us.

Better to stand near the bottom of the wall, and take a photo of the other tourists looking down on us.

Image processed with GIMP.

Postmaster Office, Bar Harbor, Maine

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 20:04:18 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

The beautiful wood interior of the Post Office has been restored.

1898 Map of Alaska Showing Panhandle Area

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Fri, 08 May 2020 14:54:28 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Scan of a map printed in 1898. Note the areas marked with red, they are the gold fields of the 1898 rush.

This map shows Sitka as the capital; it was later moved to Juneau.

I have had the pleasure of cruising these passages on the Alaska State Ferry (and a few cruise ships, too).

Just some of the maps I have online (for Sunday Challenge too!)

PiP for another detail of the Inside Passage area.

C-130 - Hercules MK1 aircraft [from 36 squadron, RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire]

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 22:05:11 +0000

StoneRoad2013 has posted:

Black & white image of an RAF Lockheed C-130 Hercules MK1 aircraft. A member of No. 36 squadron, based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
.
One of my memories - the number of flights involved in the evacuation from Cyprus in 1974 ...
.
Webfind, not my image, fair use & public education.

Roman Theater, Aspendos, Turkey

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:06:08 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Remarkable condition.

My photo for the Sunday group with the theme "theatre". Standing inside this area brings back visions of gladiators fighting, actors bellowing, spectators cheering or booing.

It is still in use for special music and theatrical events.

Image processed with GIMP.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Theatre_of_Aspendos

Historical Sign in D'Hanis, Texas

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 20:37:28 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

The flag-in-boot display (memorial?) was at the base of this historical information sign in D'Hanis, Texas.

We were getting ready for the pass-by of the huge UP steam locomotive (4014, "Big Boy"), when I took these pictures of the locale.

Image processed with GIMP.

Lonely Sentinel (HWW)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 17:52:06 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Taken at the fortress in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This watch tower overlooks the ocean.

Image processed with GIMP.

For the Sunday Challenge, this is an attempt to use "rule of thirds" in the cropping.

Inside The Kufstein Castle (PoV 5e)

nobody@ipernity.com (Bergfex) — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 20:05:56 +0000

Bergfex has posted:

This is a picture of horror. For prisoners had to go on this hamster wheel.

~~~~~

Dies ist ein Bild des Grauens. In diesem Hamsterrad mussten nämlich Gefangene gehen.

~~~~~

~~~~~

Tour map with PoV's:

Inside The Kufstein Castle (PoV 5d)

nobody@ipernity.com (Bergfex) — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 20:05:57 +0000

Bergfex has posted:

In the roof truss of one of the towers.

~~~~~

Im Dachstuhl eines der Türme.

~~~~~

~~~~~

Tour map with PoV's:

View Down From Kufstein Castle (PoV 5b)

nobody@ipernity.com (Bergfex) — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 20:05:59 +0000

Bergfex has posted:

View from Kufstein Castle to the southwest, towards Innsbruck (Capital of Tirol, Austria).

~~~~~

Blick von der Kufsteiner Burg nach Südwesten, Richtung Innsbruck (Landeshaupstadt von Tirol, Österreich).

~~~~~

~~~~~

Tour map with PoV's:

Sublimity

nobody@ipernity.com (Bergfex) — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 08:05:20 +0000

Bergfex has posted:

Inside the Barcelona Cathedral.

~~~~~

In der Kathedrale von Barcelona.

~~~~~

Historic Log Building, Fairbanks, Alaska (HWW, HBM)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 15:58:08 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

On the grounds of Pioneer Park, Fairbanks, are several historic buildings. They were moved there from their original sites.

This is a large log building (not really a cabin....)

Image processed with GIMP

Kettle Falls Visitor Center (HBM)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:45:51 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Enjoy a rest on the benches at the old Kettle Falls, Washington, railway station. It is now the local Visitors Center.

Image processed with GIMP.

A photo of the city WELCOME sign, very amusing:

www.ipernity.com/doc/2543754/51755992