Contents (plate number): Handwritten captions under images.

1. A portside near beam view just aft of the broadside of HMS Resistance (1861), a Defence class broadside ironclad, at anchor. The image is not dated but is probably pre-1880 as she is still equipped and rigged for seagoing service.
2. A starboard quarter view of HMS Minotaur (1863), a broadside ironclad, under way. The image is not dated but falls within the date range of this album (the masting arrangement is the one carried between 1869 and 1888).
3. A portside near beam view just aft of the broadside of HMS Achilles (1863), a broadside ironclad. The masting and rigging arrangement suggest that this image was made in 1877, after the alteration to her funnels but apparently before the restoration of her royals.
4. Formal group photograph taken on the quarterdeck of HMS Achilles (1863) looking aft. The group consists of the ship’s naval and marine officers and midshipmen. Two of the figures have been identified as Captain Sir William N. W. Hewett, V. C. and Midshipman G. A. Bellard. A similar photograph of this group is in Album 5.
5. A port bow view of HMS Sapphire (1874), a wooden screw corvette. The location and date are unknown, but the white hull paint and appearance of the local craft suggests she could be on the China Station. The presence of machine gun [four-barreled Nordenfelts in this instance] mountings on the forecastle and quarterdeck indicate that the photograph was taken in the 1880s. The identification of the place is supported by the fact that HMS Sapphire first commissioned for the China Station from January 1883 to July 1886.
6. A formal group photograph taken on the upper deck of HMS Sapphire (1874). The cameraman is positioned looking aft at the group, who are assembled in front of the compass platform. The groups consists of the ship’s naval and marine officers [the chaplain is also present]. None of the group have been identified by name, but the caption dates the photograph to 1883. The guns to the left of the picture are two of the ship’s 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifles.
7. A portside view of HMS Martin (1850), a brig, at moorings in Portsmouth. The photograph is not dated, but in the context of this album could have been taken while she was serving as a tender to HMS St. Vincent, a training ship.
8. A starboard beam view of HMS Esk (1877), a Medina class flatiron gunboat. The white hull and junks in the background confirm that this photograph was taken while she was on the China Station, a deployment that lasted from 1881 to her sale at Hong Kong in 1903.
9. Group photograph taken on the upper deck of HMS Esk (1877). The cameraman is on the portside looking aft at the mixed group of officers and men who are assembled at the break of the quarterdeck. The caption dates the photograph to 1884.
10. A formal group photograph of the officers of HMS Achilles (1863), taken on the starboard side of the quarterdeck looking aft. The weapon to the left of the group is a Gatling gun on a land carriage. The caption dates the photograph to 1878.
11. An informal group photograph of a group of men ashore [and a dog]. Some are in naval uniform and appear to be seaman from HMS Achilles (1863), while the rest are in civilian clothes. The caption reads ‘Glengarrif[f, Cork, Ireland] – 1880’.
12. A group photograph of six young men grouped around a muzzle-loading field gun, with a naval rating standing by to the right. The photograph is captioned ‘Sub’s class – 1882’, suggesting the men in white are on their Sub-Lieutenant’s course. The print was made by the firm of West & Son, Gosport, so the image is likely to have been taken at one of the naval establishments at Portsmouth.
13. A formal group photograph of the midshipmen of HMS Sapphire (1874). This particular print is not captioned or dated.
14. Formal group photograph of instructors, naval and marine officers taken at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. The caption dates the photograph to 1881. A similar print of the same group is housed in the 80.2 series boxes.
15. A view of Eastney Royal Marine Barracks, Portsmouth.
16. A view of Eastney Royal Marine Barracks, Portsmouth.
17. A photographic reproduction of a watercolour showing the interior of HMS Thunderer (1872)’s following the accidental explosion in the forward turret on the 2nd of January 1879.
18. Blarney Castle, Cork, Ireland.
19. Blarney Castle, Cork, Ireland.
20. A formal group photograph of men and women grouped around an elaborate Chinese headstone. All save a British sailor in the background are in civilian clothing. The caption identifies the place as Swatow [Shantou], China, and the date as 1885.
21. A battalion of Tsarist Russian infantry formed up in double line with their colours. The men out in front are a mix of officers and skirmishers. The caption identifies the location as St. Stephano, near Constantinople and the date as 1878. This is probably early in the year, when Russian troops were still present on Turkish soil in strength, a move opposed by Great Britain, who countered diplomatically and by moving troops and naval units of her own into the area.
22. A photographic reproduction of a landscape painting depicting the port of Madeira, Portugal in the mid 19th Century.
23. A panoramic view of Constantinople. This is believed to be a commercial print as duplicates have appeared in other albums, including Album 652.
24. A panoramic view of Constantinople. This is believed to be a commercial print as duplicates have appeared in other albums, including Album 652.
25. A view of the interior beneath the dome of the mosque of St Sophia, Constantinople. This is believed to be a commercial print as duplicates have appeared in other albums, including Album 652.
26. A view of the interior beneath the dome of the mosque of St Sophia, Constantinople. This is believed to be a commercial print as duplicates have appeared in other albums, including Album 652.
27. A view of Kyrenia, Cyprus.
28. A view of Kyrenia, Cyprus.
29. An exterior view of the mosque of St Sophia, Constantinople.
30. A view of Malta from the upper Barraco Gardens, Valetta, looking across at Fort St Angelo. The mouth of Dockyard Creek is visible beyond the fort.
31. A panoramic view of Smyrna, Asia Minor.
32. A panoramic view of the outskirts of Smyrna, Asia Minor. The print has been stamped ‘Frith Series’.
33. Ruins near Smyrna. The print has been stamped ‘Frith Series’.
34. The remains of the Roman aqueduct at Ephesus with the substantial remains of the Byzantine fortress in the background. The print has been stamped ‘Frith Series’.
35. The remains of the Byzantine fortress at Ephesus. The print has been stamped ‘Frith Series’.
36. A ruined gateway, Ephesus. The print has been stamped ‘Frith Series’.
37. Ruins bearing Christian (probably Byzantine) symbols, Ephesus. The print has been stamped ‘Frith Series’.
38. A ruined archway, Ephesus. The print has been stamped ‘Frith Series’.
39. The tomb of St. Polycarp at Smyrna. The print has been stamped ‘Frith Series’.
40. A view of a town. The location is unknown, but it is likely to be a location in or near Smyrna. The print has been stamped ‘Frith Series’.
41. The Rock of Gibraltar, seen from the African shore.
42. A starboard near beam view just forward of the broadside of HMS Achilles (1863) at anchor. This photograph shows the vessel in her 1866 to 1869 configuration, where her foremast has been moved forward to replace the removed bow mast and her bowsprit has been restored. The funnels are still of the older pattern and are painted black. The photograph was probably taken while she was assigned to Portland as a coast guard ship.
43. A port beam view of HMS Resistance (1861) at anchor. The configuration of the bowsprit and bridge indicates this photograph was taken between 1875 and 1886.
44. A view of the Pump Room, Cheltenham.
45. A view of the promenade, Cheltenham.
46. A view of Cheltenham College.
47. A view of Cheltenham College grounds.
48. A photographic reproduction of a painting showing HMS Achilles (1863) under sail. The painting shows her with three masts, suggesting a date of 1869 onwards.
49. The altar of All Saints Church, Cheltenham.
50. A group photograph of five men in civilian clothing on the steps of a Chinese residence, Swatow [Shantou], China.
51. A stream near a wall, location unknown.
52. A view of Victoria on Hong Kong Island, taken from the east. The Peak is visible in the background.
53. A street in Hong Kong, probably in Kowshing.
54. Four Japanese girls in kimonos sharing a meal. The establishment is probably a tea house, but it is not clear whether the girls are geishas.
55. Four Japanese girls in kimonos sharing a meal. The establishment is probably a tea house, but it is not clear whether the girls are geishas.
56. Four Japanese girls in kimonos. The establishment is probably a tea house, but it is not clear whether the girls are geishas.
57. A Japanese girl in a kimono with a lyre. The establishment is probably a tea house, but it is not clear whether she is a geisha.
58. A portside near beam view just forward of the broadside of HMS Edinburgh (1882), a Colossus class turret ship. This photograph was probably taken between 1887 and 1894 when she was deployed with the Mediterranean Fleet. In any case, the lack of any visible QF (Quick Firing) secondary armament would suggest this image is pre-1898.
59. A formal group photograph of the officers of HMS Edinburgh (1882), with the men and two pet dogs assembled before one of the ship’s 12” turrets.
60. A view down the port side of HMS Edinburgh (1882), looking aft from the forward flying deck (or forecastle). The crew are at ‘Man and Arm Ship’ stations, with all available guns trained out and armed ratings lining the side with Lee-Metford bolt-action rifles to repel torpedo boat attacks. This exercise is being conducted while the ship is at anchor in an unidentified Mediterranean harbour (probably Malta).
61. A photograph of the barber and his assistants at work on HMS Edinburgh (1882). This image is an interesting demonstration of the logistics involved in this task aboard ships of this era.
62. The crew of the 6-pounder QF gun at the portside break of the after flying deck (or quarterdeck) exercise at their gun under the direction of one of the ship’s officers. A rating is visible on the upper deck standing ready to hoist targets as required. The battleship in the background is Edinburgh’s sister HMS Colossus (1882).
63. A lady examines the small Christmas tree aboard HMS Edinburgh (1882). One of the ship’s dogs is asleep at the base.
64. A fairground-style shooting gallery, presumably set up for visitors to HMS Edinburgh (1882) on Christmas Day. Targets have been set up on the upper deck beneath the forward flying deck (or forecastle) facing towards the bow. Four Lee-Metford bolt-action rifles have been made ready for use.
65. Looking aft down the port side of the upper decks from a position amidships at crewmen holystoning the deck of HMS Edinburgh (1882). This image has been copied to negative P39575.
66. Looking aft down the port side of the upper deck from a position at the base of the funnel. A group of seamen and officers (and the ship’s ever-present dog!) are grouped around a table and some open barrels. At least one of the party is a Royal Marine. The nature of the activity is not clear, although one of the officers may be the Purser.
67. The launch of HMS Melita, a Mariner class composite screw sloop, at Malta, 20th March 1888. This image has been copied to negative P39574.
68. Another view of the launch of HMS Melita (1888), taken from the landward side. The battleship in the background is either HMS Edinburgh (1882) or HMS Colossus (1882).