Launch Day

 

This crowd of people is waiting for the launch of the Brazilian Battleship, Sao Paulo, in Barrow-in-Furness, on April 20th, 1909. Perhaps they were invited guests, or maybe just local dignitaries and their families. I'm not sure who took the photo, but it appears on a postcard at Barrow's Dock Museum. The launch of a vessel in Barrow was a gala day for the whole town, so it's no wonder these expectant folks were dressed in their Sunday best. (I can see only one person not wearing a hat!). Do you think this well-dressed bunch included those who had actually built the ship? 

There were some significant events nationally in 1909, but during a shutdown of iron and steel works in Barrow that year, 2 million meals were provided by soup kitchens in Hindpool, one of the town's poorest areas.

Writing prompts:

• Write about a time, maybe from your childhood, when you wore your 'Sunday best'. 
• Have you ever been in crowd of people waiting for a big event? Write about what you remember and how you felt.
• Choose one person in the photo. Imagine you are that person and write down what it is like to stand in this crowd, waiting for the ship launch. 

Don't forget to explore further by clicking on the links above. Please share your comments below.