Help please to date photo of Group aboard a ship

[isobelw]

Looking for help dating this photo. Not exactly sure who the people are but is linked to a couple who married in South Africa in 1917. The groom was from England and the bride was born in Ireland ( both born around 1894 ) and it could be a photo from either side of the family. I think it is taken onboard a ship- would others agree?

Thanks,
Isobel

[tomkin]

                        " I think it is taken onboard a ship- would others agree? "

                Unless there is something seriously wrong, of course it is

[Jool]

Isobel, can you read what is on the sign at the top of the photo?  If you could post a high res scan of just the sign we may be able to help, it may provide clues to the name of the ship.

[mckha489]

My theory

I think the woman with the baby on the knee must be the mother of all those children.  My pick for her husband is the tall man with the cap.
And they are the emigrants. The others have all dressed up to come on board and see them off.

Are the crew visible deliberately or were they early photo bombers?

1900-1910  

[Milliepede]

I thought the same about photo bombers! 

Not sure on the date, I thought around 1913 but could be earlier. 

[Treetotal]

I'm not sure about this one as the sleeves of the ladies dresses are an early 1890s fashion yet there are mixed fashions indicating that the date is later, almost as if they are dressed up for the photo? The crew members look more modern and so does the girl on the front row wearing a hair band, also the crew members at the back look out of place and of a later era.
The plaque I would say would most likely be the Ship Builder's name. It would help to see the whole photo and the back.
Carol

[Gadget]

I've been puzzling about this one too, Carol 

I recall that wedding group which we thought looked 1910-sh but Jim correctly dated it as circa 1917. Could it be the same vintage or even a bit later?

Gadget

[isobelw]

I’m posting on behalf of someone I’m assisting on another forum so don’t have the original photo. She believed she had found the family in 1911 but has been told by other family members that the family emigrated around 1898. I am fairly sure the photo was taken at the time of emigration. I think we are looking at sometime shortly pre 1900 or post 1911 which is why I was hoping the dress might offer some clues. I hadn’t thought about some of the group not actually being emigrees but just seeing them off.
Thanks,
Isobel

[Treetotal]

Could you ask her if it is a postcard back please Isobel.
Carol