Sailors sat at sewing machines

A black and white landscape photograph of two sailors sat at sewing machines on board a ship. They are both facing the camera and have their hands wresting on the tops of treadle-operated Singer sewing machines. The machines are threaded for use; folded fabric can also be seen on their tops, as well as a pair of scissors (on the one on the right of the image). Behind them, visible in the gap between them, are two more sailors, one holding a tape measure over the right shoulder of the other. 'HMS LANCASTER' is visible on their cap tallies. On the left of the image, behind and next to a ladder can be seen six other sailors facing the camera. Original caption (typed, beneath): '(No: 164) - Ship's Tailors -'.

Sewing machines used on ships were sometimes referred to as 'donkies'. It is possible that the men at the sewing machines are sat there for the purposes of a posed photograph.