Welcome to the Morrab Library photographic archive catalogue. We are in the process of digitising our collections, and so not all entries will have photos attached to them. Find out more about our digitisation project.
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Featured Collection
Stanley Opie Archaeology
The Stanley Opie Archaeology collection (1001 quarter plate glass negatives) covers archaeological sites and excavations from the 1920s to 1950s. It…
Featured Exhibit
Serena Wadham
Serena Wadham (1930-2006) was a photojournalist who was based in Islington from the late 1960s until 1987, when she retired...
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A lifeboat being launched from a wooden slipway, location unknown.
A lifeboat being launched from a wooden slipway, location unknown.
Lowestoft steam trawlers in harbour, possibly Newlyn.
Lowestoft steam trawlers in harbour, possibly Newlyn.
Sailing ship at Penzance harbour
On the 18th of June1909 Alfred Vingoe was returning to Penzance in his pilot boat when he noticed that a large sailing ship was low in the water and flying distress flags. He and his two crew members sailed over to the craft which was the “Leon Burau” to find that the ship had been holed on a rock off the Scilly Isles and was fast taking in water. Climbing aboard Alfred told the captain to put on full sail, and when this was done Alfred piloted the ship into Penzance where he beached her just outside the harbour. The next day was a Sunday and people were amazed to see this fully rigged sailing ship ashore just outside the harbour entrance. Alfred arranged for most of the cargo to be discharged into small ships and then at high tide the ship was towed into the harbour to be repaired.
Sailing ship at Penzance harbour
On the 18th of June1909 Alfred Vingoe was returning to Penzance in his pilot boat when he noticed that a large…