Author Topic: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?  (Read 20794 times)

Offline Nick29

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Re: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?
« Reply #18 on: Sunday 09 January 11 12:28 GMT (UK) »
Underground excavations were usually 'cut and cover', which was a different technique.  My guess would be sewer construction, which would explain the two foremen, the the two different styles of dress.  My grandfather was a master bricklayer, and I have a picture of him in similar attire (jacket, waistcoat and bowler hat), whilst his men wore jacket, waistcoat and flat cap.  The men in the shirt sleeves were probably labourers who were employed to dig the holes and maintain the supports.
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Offline Nick29

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Re: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?
« Reply #19 on: Sunday 09 January 11 12:36 GMT (UK) »
I blew the picture up, and noticed the two pipes sticking up, with a 90 degree bend at the top.  I'm wondering if they were laying gas pipes ?
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Offline ScouseBoy

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Re: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?
« Reply #20 on: Sunday 09 January 11 12:46 GMT (UK) »
I do not think they are gas pipes. I think they are steel bars.
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Offline Jocie

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Re: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?
« Reply #21 on: Sunday 09 January 11 12:49 GMT (UK) »
Fascinating photograph.

Have a look here

http://www.ltmcollection.org/resources/index.html?IXglossary=Public+transport+in+Victorian+London%3A+Part+One%3A+Overground

If you scroll down this page there is picture of tramlines being laid.  Looks much more as if they are working on the surface. However there are other similarities in dress etc.
LANCASTER - London Kent Sussex Croydon
CLEMMANS - London Kent Sussex
ROCHE - London
WARE - Kent
SPENCER - Kent
NEWNHAM - Sussex
FISHER - London Norfolk
DENNINGTON - London
MONTAGUE - Kent

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Offline nigelp

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Re: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?
« Reply #22 on: Sunday 09 January 11 13:05 GMT (UK) »
Fascinating photograph.

Have a look here

http://www.ltmcollection.org/resources/index.html?IXglossary=Public+transport+in+Victorian+London%3A+Part+One%3A+Overground

If you scroll down this page there is picture of tramlines being laid.  Looks much more as if they are working on the surface. However there are other similarities in dress etc.


I don't think it is tramlines being laid as the hole is much too deep. There also appears to be bricks to the right of the workmen.

A very large number of cross-sewers were installed in London in the 1890s and early 1900s and I would guess that it is one of these that is being laid. Laying of gas pipes is also possible (I can't see any street lighting in the photo and perhaps gas pipes are being installed to provide lighting).

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Offline kath davis

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Re: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?
« Reply #23 on: Sunday 09 January 11 17:28 GMT (UK) »
Try this one
http://www.swopnet.com/engr/londonsewers/londontext1.html - again scroll down.  I'd say sewer. But where?
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Offline Jocie

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Re: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?
« Reply #24 on: Sunday 09 January 11 17:47 GMT (UK) »
Looking behind the man who is standing at the back I think I can see a bicycle wheel. My husband has just looked at it and says the group of people in the background look more Edwardian to him. He also pointed out that he couldn't see any gaslamps.
Not at all sure if any of this helps but just ideas
Jo
LANCASTER - London Kent Sussex Croydon
CLEMMANS - London Kent Sussex
ROCHE - London
WARE - Kent
SPENCER - Kent
NEWNHAM - Sussex
FISHER - London Norfolk
DENNINGTON - London
MONTAGUE - Kent

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Offline Nick29

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Re: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?
« Reply #25 on: Sunday 09 January 11 17:51 GMT (UK) »
He also pointed out that he couldn't see any gaslamps.

That's what the pipes were for, that they were installing !  :)

P.S. Only joking - on reflection, I think the photo is too late for gas lamps.
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Offline Redroger

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Re: Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?
« Reply #26 on: Sunday 09 January 11 17:56 GMT (UK) »
The pose of the young man at the back seems consistent with sitting on a bicycle while watching tyhe proceedings; however if it is a bike then what is the linear object through the wheel at an angle of approx 50 degrees to the ground?
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