DRY PLATE GLASS NEGATIVES
The dry plate glass negatives invented by Doctor Richard L Maddox were first introduced by him in 1873.
They were in common use from around 1880 to 1920. The glass negatives in this collection date from late 1800's to early 1900s. Glass plate negatives were fragile created on dry plate glass that were thin glass. Although easily transported and requiring less time to be exposed to a light source.
This collection of dry plate glass negatives date from 05 June 1905 taken on a holiday from Fleetwood to the Isle of Man. Using the steam railway travelling to Port Erin, the negatives were believed to belong to a family friend of one of the lighthouse keepers at Chicken Rock Lighthouse and are 5 inches by 4 inches.
The set has been added in black and white as they would have been taken. Below you will see an example of the negative followed by the positive image. As you scroll to the bottom you will notice they have been transformed using the latest digital technology to colour to see more of the unusual detail captured in the negative.
They were in common use from around 1880 to 1920. The glass negatives in this collection date from late 1800's to early 1900s. Glass plate negatives were fragile created on dry plate glass that were thin glass. Although easily transported and requiring less time to be exposed to a light source.
This collection of dry plate glass negatives date from 05 June 1905 taken on a holiday from Fleetwood to the Isle of Man. Using the steam railway travelling to Port Erin, the negatives were believed to belong to a family friend of one of the lighthouse keepers at Chicken Rock Lighthouse and are 5 inches by 4 inches.
The set has been added in black and white as they would have been taken. Below you will see an example of the negative followed by the positive image. As you scroll to the bottom you will notice they have been transformed using the latest digital technology to colour to see more of the unusual detail captured in the negative.
How the negative looked before transformed into a positive (photograph image).
How the negative looked before transformed into a positive (photograph image).
The view across the farmland almost the same view today from Ballafesson Road looking North towards Fleshwick Bay. Isle of Man.
The view from the rocks near Langness Lighthouse towards Derbyhaven.
The boatman from Port St Mary Isle of Man transfering the keepers to the Chicken Rock Lighthouse. The view behind towards the Drinking Dragon Rock.
Getting closer to the lighthouse.
The keepers meet the landing party from the boat and the dog is a welcome visitor too.
Part of the keepers duty was to keep down the build up of seaweed, barnacles and other items from the slipway and landing areas. This was done by using what can be seen in this image scrapers and chemicals.
The keepers standing for a photo opportunity. The staff stationed at the lighthouse during this period were: Thomas Dawson 1985-1906 Principal Keeper. ALK's - Donald Tait (1897-1902), Charles J MacNish (1898-1902) and James Stevenson (1898-1905).
The keepers along with the boat crew are celebrating the capture of crabs after the fishing experience.
The view from the boat looking back to the Chicken Rock lighthouse with the south tip of Calf of Man and Drinking Dragon rocks on the right, the main headland of southern Isle of Man in the back ground to the right.
The keepers can be seen here at the top of the steps waiting the arrival of the boat. Notice this is the back end, south facing with steps leading up to the platform.
The view for passing ships as the lighthouse lines up with the others on the Calf of Man seen in the back left of the picture.
A similar view to that above, as the lighthouse lines up with the others on the Calf of Man seen in the back left of the picture.
The view as the boat approaches the Chicken Rock Lighthouse over 100 years ago.
View toward Port Erin from Calf of Man.
Calf of Man landing point on the South.
COLOUR ADDED TO PHOTOGRAPHS
It surprises me while collecting these fragile items that they lived through World War one and World War Two, and allow us to view and handle them today over 100 years later. Adding colour to the photograph provides more details to be see.
The golden rays of sunshine are clear in this image as the hay stooks are in the fields. This provides an indication to the time of year the collection of images were taken, perhaps between July and September, clouds can been seen in the distance too.
Notice the finger or thumb print on the top right of the image.
In this image the blids can be seen to be closed so as not to start a fire through the lens glass which could happen on very sunny days like this one shown.
Notice the differences in this image at the top of the tower, the door is open out to the landing, the side has rods from each end, these were hoisted up and lowered down to attach flags from to signal to the shore station. A book on display at the Northern Lighthouse Board training room shows this type of signal in use.
Trinity HouseTH0001 TH0002 TH0003 TH0004 |
Commissioners of irish lightsCIL0001 CIL0002 |
Northern Lighthouse boardNLB0001 NLB0002 NLB0003 |
Clyde Lighthouse
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