overcoats

Zachary Erhard; Chester Cornelius Hoff (1891-1998); George Simmons; Bert Daniels; and E. Bergen of the 1913 New York Yankees most likely in 1912 at Pennsylvania Station. "Mike Bergen Pilots Recruits, Who Shy at Photographers at the Station.. The Yankee recruits who started for Atlanta yesterday are the most modest lot of ball players that ever left the city to try for the major leagues. At the Pennsylvania Station yesterday, when Mike Bergen piloted them toward the train, they shied at the photographers like a bunch of debutantes." Source: New York Times; March 3, 1912 People: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Hoff

Thanks for supplying the first names -- we'll add them to the source catalog.

It's so nice!

I remember, as a child, digging down in the sand in Skerries (perhaps 65 years ago). Obviously not digging far, but hitting a layer of black stuff. My parents told me it was oil. It had a very particular smell. I still remember it. I still wonder what it was. It happened more than once.

The answer, according to A.I.:

The Science Behind the 'Black Oil' Layer

The Lack of Oxygen (Anoxia): On popular beaches like Skerries South Beach or North Strand, the top few inches of sand are constantly turned over by waves and the tide, keeping them well-oxygenated and clean. However, just a short distance below the surface, the tightly packed sand particles block fresh water and oxygen from penetrating.

Decaying Organic Matter: Over time, bits of seaweed, marine organisms, and organic silt get buried under the shifting sand. In an environment devoid of oxygen, normal decomposition cannot happen. Instead, specialized anaerobic bacteria take over to break down this organic material.

The Chemical Reaction: These bacteria "breathe" sulfates (which are abundant in seawater) and exude iron sulfides. It is this iron sulfide that dyes the sand grains a deep, jet-black color and gives it a slick, greasy texture that looks identical to oil.

Boo hoo! The Tower Tearooms and The Tuck Shop are no more ...
In February (brrr!) 2023 via Paul McNamara [https://www.flickr.com/photos/pauljmcnamara/52713096446/]

Red Island again

This Faecsbook page reckons "circa 1928" - www.facebook.com
Includes another Eason near the tower with a motor car - catalogue.nli.ie

"looking like paddy's market" was a phrase my mum used to describe any thing that was untidy (like my bedroom) :-) I spotted the Antrim Glen photo immediately - I have one taken from a nearby location from 2006 - little change - the hills have not moved but the farmland/field layout is different

Foxglove I hear you! Our house was broken into once and the Guards were wondering why the burglars had so thoroughly torn one of the bedrooms apart - mine! My mother was so ashamed admitting that it had looked that way before the burglary... :D (have since improved)

lol did you guys see my room before? lol We say "you can lose a camel there". :)

TJ Ooooh, that's a good one! Definitely occasions when the work desk hides the odd dromedary or two.

National Library of Ireland on The Commons lol don't forget the bed and the closet :) ... oh and the lazyboy and the mirror table ..... and uhh .. ok you got the picture i guess :)