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Macabre seagoing custom
I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge* explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking. One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects," and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.). Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts- continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The Daily Mail". Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are following the progress of the ground war. A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI. |
Macabre seagoing custom
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Macabre seagoing custom
On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote: I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge* explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking. One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects," and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.). Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts- continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The Daily Mail". Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are following the progress of the ground war. A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI. From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The monies collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's accountant usually took a cut. Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything, boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography, used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs. -- John H ****************************************** ***** Have a Spectacular Day! ***** ****************************************** |
Macabre seagoing custom
"JohnH" wrote in message ... On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, " wrote: I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge* explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking. One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects," and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.). Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts- continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The Daily Mail". Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are following the progress of the ground war. A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI. From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The monies collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's accountant usually took a cut. Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything, boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography, used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs. -- John H ****************************************** ***** Have a Spectacular Day! ***** ****************************************** *Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics? |
Macabre seagoing custom
|
Macabre seagoing custom
JimH wrote: "JohnH" wrote in message ... On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, " wrote: I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge* explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking. One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects," and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.). Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts- continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The Daily Mail". Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are following the progress of the ground war. A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI. From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The monies collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's accountant usually took a cut. Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything, boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography, used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs. -- John H ****************************************** ***** Have a Spectacular Day! ***** ****************************************** *Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics? Now THAT'S "macabre"! |
Macabre seagoing custom
On Wed, 07 Jun 2006 19:04:32 GMT, Don White wrote:
wrote: I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge* explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking. One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects," and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.). Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts- continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The Daily Mail". Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are following the progress of the ground war. A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI. Don't suppose you could 'scan' those photos and post them? I second that! -- John H ****************************************** ***** Have a Spectacular Day! ***** ****************************************** |
Macabre seagoing custom
On 7 Jun 2006 12:13:28 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:
JimH wrote: "JohnH" wrote in message ... On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, " wrote: I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge* explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking. One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects," and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.). Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts- continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The Daily Mail". Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are following the progress of the ground war. A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI. From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The monies collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's accountant usually took a cut. Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything, boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography, used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs. -- John H ****************************************** ***** Have a Spectacular Day! ***** ****************************************** *Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics? Now THAT'S "macabre"! Jees. Most would recognize that as said in jest. Some wouldn't. -- John H ****************************************** ***** Have a Spectacular Day! ***** ****************************************** |
Macabre seagoing custom
LOL! Interesting to invision. It's amazing what you can be forced to use when on the sea for month's at a time, especially when such a comodity may be in a quite limited supply. Who know's , you might have been forced to share with your ship mates, when it's somebodys "turn in the barrel" *ugh!* JimH wrote: "JohnH" wrote in message ... On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, " wrote: I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge* explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking. One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects," and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.). Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts- continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The Daily Mail". Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are following the progress of the ground war. A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI. From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The monies collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's accountant usually took a cut. Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything, boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography, used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs. -- John H ****************************************** ***** Have a Spectacular Day! ***** ****************************************** *Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics? |
Macabre seagoing custom
JimH wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message ... On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, " wrote: I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge* explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking. One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects," and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.). Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts- continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The Daily Mail". Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are following the progress of the ground war. A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI. From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The monies collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's accountant usually took a cut. Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything, boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography, used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs. -- John H ****************************************** ***** Have a Spectacular Day! ***** ****************************************** *Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics? Ummm....Scotsmen? DT |
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