riverlagan

Those cannon look like captured Russian ones from the siege of Sevastopol in the Crimean War (1855). Pairs were sent to every major city in the British Empire - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Sevastopol_(1854%E2%80%931855) . Recently did some digging on two in Sydney, Australia - www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/2362659579/

beachcomber australia They look exactly the same, especially the wheels and the curvy stand thing at the back! These upended cannons are near where I live in Dublin. Have heard all manner of stories about where they came from - Napoleonic Wars, or from a 19th century British frigate... Found this on 1861 Belfast / Ulster Street Directory: "Two Russian guns, taken during the Crimean war at Sebastopol - both 46 pounders, and bearing inscriptions in Russian characters - presented to the town as trophies, are now mounted in a commanding position, upon the front esplanade of this fine suite of public buildings - for ornament alone, of course", though these two were placed near the Custom House.

Is that a Steamship getting built in the Background?

Dave Colthorpe Anyone better acquainted with steamship shapes field this?

The Pilot Office stood on the north side of the Lagan at the entrance to Spencer Dock. Spencer Dock, Dufferin Dock and York Dock were all enlarged, so where the Pilot Office stood is probably under water now - coordinates are about 54.612026,-5.913563. The Pilot Office had been described as "a collapsed telescope in the Tudor manner". The cannon are from the Crimean War. There are two ships being built in the background at the shipyards of Workman, Clark & Co. This company began in 1879 and pioneered the development of the refrigerated steamer. At their peak Workman, Clark employed over 12,000 employees and was described in Belfast as the "Wee Yard". It occupied 80 acres on the north side of the River Lagan and closed in 1935.

All flat caps, but for two bowlers.

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyelightfilms] Foremen?

Belfast News-Letter 8th March 1888: BELFAST HARBOUR STEAM FERRY BOAT THE BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS are prepared to receive TENDERS for the supply of a STEAM FERRY BOAT, with Steel Hull and Direct Acting Engines , in accordance with a Drawing and Specifications, which may be seen at the Office of the Harbour Engineer, T. R. Salmond, Esq, from whom any further information may be obtained. Sealed Tenders, addressed to the undersigned, and endorsed "Tender for Ferry Boat" to be sent in on or before MONDAY, the 22nd proximo. The Commissioners do no bind themselves to accept the lowest or any Tender. W.A. Curry, Secretary. Harbour Office, Belfast. 7th March 1888 The same edition also has a notice from the Harbour Commissioners inviting "TENDERS for the supply of CLOTHING required for the Harbour Police &c". No specific mention of hats.

The minutes of the Belfast Harbour Board, as published in the Belfast News-Letter, April 3rd, 1889, state: "... it was decided to issue a cheque in favour of Messrs. Workman, Clarke, & Company for £342 16s in payment for No 2 ferry-boat, built by that firm." www.gracesguide.co.uk/Workman,_Clark_and_Co In 1890 No 3 ferry boat was reported to have been fitted with fire-extinguishing appliances, having been placed on station in March 1889. But I can't find any mention of No 5.

Getting there... Jan 29th, 1891: "The outlines and build of the new boat, No4, denote safety and swiftness"

It was only built in 1897 so the photo's after that. Unfortunately, it no longer exists as it was blown up in the 1970's.

There's a 1936 photo with some of the history: This club house was opened in 1898 by Mrs W J Pirrie, wife of the managing director of Harland and Wolff; among the well-wishers was Mr Gustav Wolff, also representing Belfast craft of a larger size. The club was 23 years old, and had 300 members to share 'the delightful pastime of rowing'. The lower dock could accommodate the club's 'fleet' of 24 pleasure boats, but racing boats had to tie up at St John's Wharf. A speaker appealed to Belfast Council to complete the scene by building a dock in the Ormeau Park where it bordered the river. The band of the North Staffords provided the music, and the view shows that music was part of the arrangements in 1936.

A picture of the boathouse after the bombing.

The boat club is still here, without this Boat House, on Lockview road. You can see oarsmen at work in this Bing aerial view.

The DIA says it was destroyed by fire and replaced in 1912.

The lock keeper’s house still stands. A lane runs past the house to where there is a cafe, called the Lock Keeper's Inn. It's a favourite place for walkers and cyclists.

Lagan Valley Learning Centre has a pdf with the history of Lock no. 3. It includes a picture of the cottage with a similar looking man outside.

Recently restored? Lots of information - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagan_Canal Flickr is sometimes amazing! In 2010 via shrighley The cottage on the right is way too cute!

There’s another pdf with the history of the cottage, which is the second lock keepers cottage at this lock.

Streetview plods all along the nearby towpaths (fascinating) - the cottage is behind the hedge - goo.gl/maps/ZbC9o6vNfYP2