In 1903, Mr. F.W. Bradwin, of Hamilton, Ontario traveled first-class on a transatlantic cruise from New York to Liverpool, with a stop in Queensland, Ireland and an excursion to Berlin.
Bradwin was an excellent amateur photographer, and captured corners of the world in a distinctive way. Every piece of vernacular photography is a complete original, which is why it’s my favorite medium. It’s ephemeral and unrepeatable, just like the moments it freezes.
I’m always amused & fascinated by what vintage photographers chose to memorialize – and what they left out. Bradwin’s compositions offer a window into his soul – his sense of humor, his cognizance of his Canadian identity, his fascination with the technology & routine of oceanliners, his interpretation of sites of cultural importance. We may never know much more about this man. But this is his travel album.
These White Star Line stamps are revelatory in determining Bradwin’s course. “SS Cymric” indicates that the Cymric departed from the US (SS = steam ship, an American label).
Likewise, RMS (Royal Mail Ship) was a British term, so the return voyage on the RMS Oceanic likely departed from Britain.
Passenger lists confirm Bradwin was aboard the Cymric’s June 1903 voyage from NY to Liverpool.
Feat. Edwardian finery & Nestle’s Milk adverts.
Very serious employment.
Built only several years before in 1897, and, according to the National Parks Service, still the largest mausoleum in North America.
Reads: “Let Us Have Peace”
Built in 1902 to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII, the Canadian Arch encouraged Londoners to emigrate to Canada, citing it as “Britain’s Granary.”
The opposite side read: “Canada / Free Homes for Millions / God Bless the Royal Family”
This photo takes on added significance when we consider that Bradwin was from Canada. I wonder if his family had emigrated from Britain, and at what point?
All is well. Thank God! But wait…they look confused. What exactly are they inspecting? It looks like they’re listening to an oracle through the porthole. Should we be worried? Nah…There are plenty of lifeboats…for now….
The Cymric didn’t sink until 1916, when she was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland THREE TIMES by the SAME U-boat captain who got the Lusitania! 🙁
Apparently the wreck has never been found…
I’ll be waiting.
White Star Line should’ve stuck with whatever inspection method THIS is ^^^
Or maybe that was the problem.
Either way, I’m glad Bradwin cared enough to immortalize this moment. I definitely would have also been *that* passenger, making sure the inspection was actually happening.
Hamilton – Ontario.
Vistas taken in June 1903 crossing the Atlantic.
Sept 17/1903″…
with a weird pencilled code that looks like “1949” ?
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Thanks for joining me and Mr. Bradwin on this journey.
Damn the torpedoes!