A meeting of two maritime eras in bustling Portsmouth Harbour '“ Nostalgia

This marvellous picture, although somewhat dark, comes from John Mackett's The Portsmouth-Ryde Passage '“ a Personal View and we see something I have never seen in this type of photograph before.Â
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Nov 2018, 16:12 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2018, 17:21 BST
When steam met sail in Portsmouth Harbour. A crowded Portsmouth Harbour with PS Albert Edward in the foreground and PS Heather Bell behind her. The ship and barque are unknown.When steam met sail in Portsmouth Harbour. A crowded Portsmouth Harbour with PS Albert Edward in the foreground and PS Heather Bell behind her. The ship and barque are unknown.
When steam met sail in Portsmouth Harbour. A crowded Portsmouth Harbour with PS Albert Edward in the foreground and PS Heather Bell behind her. The ship and barque are unknown.

For we see sailing vessels, in this case a fully-rigged ship to the rear, and a barque this side of her with masts leaning.

The only time we see sailing vessels of that nature these days is if the are arriving on a special occasion or during international sailing ship galas. I am still amazed that they are in the photograph at all.

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They are moored in Portsmouth with Isle of Wight paddle steamers and in this case the nearest to camera is  PS Albert Edward. Behind her is PS Heather Bell.

A former London Underground train arrives at Fishbourne from Portsmouth to replace steam on the Isle of Wight railway.A former London Underground train arrives at Fishbourne from Portsmouth to replace steam on the Isle of Wight railway.
A former London Underground train arrives at Fishbourne from Portsmouth to replace steam on the Isle of Wight railway.

The steamer belonged to a company with a rather long name '“ The Port of Portsmouth and Ryde United Steam Packet Company Limited.

The company came into being on January 1, 1852, and had five vessels to begin with and provided 11 services on weekdays between the two ports, eight of which also called at Gosport.

The company remained in business until March 31, 1880 when it was acquired by the L&SW Railway and the LB&SC Railway for the princely sum of  £38,000. 

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'¢Â  In December 1966 the steam-hauled train service in the Isle of Wight came to an end and the line, already electrified, was replaced with former London underground trains.

Peter Snook was the son of Charles Snook, the eggs and butter importer. Here he is in the Anchor caf on Southsea Common.Peter Snook was the son of Charles Snook, the eggs and butter importer. Here he is in the Anchor caf on Southsea Common.
Peter Snook was the son of Charles Snook, the eggs and butter importer. Here he is in the Anchor caf on Southsea Common.

The trains came from London and were placed on to low loaders, I believe at Fratton yard, and then taken to the Isle of Wight car ferry for transporting to the island. At Fishbourne the stock was taken by road to Ryde St Johns Road where they were placed back on tracks. They have been running ever since with few problems and easy maintenance.

'¢Â Â A fortnight ago I published a photograph of Charles Snook's premises in Oyster Street, Old Portsmouth. He was an eggs and butter importer.

Mr Snook's great grandson Peter sent me this photograph of his father, also Peter who was born in 1916. Like all sons who were brought up in a business he had to do his bit and Peter Jnr told me his father used to make deliveries in a horse and cart as far out as Wickham. 

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In later life Peter Jnr  worked in the Anchor café on Southsea Common and this is where we see him in the 1970s.

Who were PWC FC?Who were PWC FC?
Who were PWC FC?

'¢Â  An MS Garlick sent me the picture of the football team asking if anyone recognises the PWC on the ball? Portsmouth Water Company perhaps? With a member of the clergy in the picture it may be a church team.  I'd also welcome some names should anyone be able to recognise faces.

Related topics:Portsmouth HarbourIsle of Wight