Researching the historical facts for Plagued was a learning curve The research took longer than the writing. Finding out what Southampton was like over a hundred years ago was helped by old maps, Kelly’s Directories, history sites and a great deal of reading and walking. The one thing that really brought Northam in 1918 to life though, was the wealth of old photographs I found. Today I’m going to share a few of them with you.
If you’ve read the book you’ll understand immediately why the photographs above spoke to me. The Northam wharf and the Belvedere shipbuilder’s yard on the banks of the Itchen, within sight of the gasworks might not be Bert Porter’s yard, but the ramshackle buildings, piles of wood and tattered old gaff cutter certainly gave me a feel for what his little ship repair yard might have looked like. Looking at the photograph of a ship repair yard in the early 1900’s, I could imagine him limping across the shingle in his thick fisherman’s jumper, patched trousers and flat cap.
Another shipyard in the area was Day, Summers and Co, close to Northam Bridge. They began in 1839 as the Northam Iron Works and made iron steamers and tugs. In the latter half of the nineteenth century they expanded into ship repairs, luxury steam yachts and steam ferries for the floating bridge. In 1929, they were taken over by Thorneycrofts. A wonderful photograph of their yard, complete with men and horses helped inspire the characters of Bert and his cousin Frank.
Bert’s yard is, of course, imaginary, but it was loosely based on Shamrock Quay, just off Milbank Street. The mean tumbledown terraced houses looking over it, with their damp walls and doors that opened straight onto the street were inspired by the houses of William Street. They’re now all long gone, but someone thought to capture them in a few photographs before they were demolished and those photographs, along with pictures of Milbank Street in the early 1900’s helped me set the scene in my imagination.
Northam Road has changed a bit since 1918 too, although some of the houses and the monkey puzzle tree are still recognisable today. I remember my grandfather telling me that the roads were dirt rather than tarmac when he came to Southampton and the photographs I found showed what this must have been like in wet weather. They also showed the tramlines running down the middle of the street. This was where Hetty would have queued for cheese while worrying about zeppelin raids and her poor aching feet.
The alignment of the road was completely different before the modern bridge was built. The new bridge was actually built beside the old and the road altered accordingly. This was quite difficult to envision, until I saw a photograph of the bridge taken in 1910. The current bridge would be on the left of the photograph. The shops and houses to the left were knocked down to change the road layout.
Thomas and Mary’s house was in Radcliffe Road, between Union Road and Summers Street. Many years ago I worked on the little industrial estate there so I knew the area well. That industrial estate is built on reclaimed land though and back in 1918, the river lapped at the end of the road and the water was full of timber being seasoned. This ready made adventure playground was like a magnet to the local children, with disastrous consequences on some occasions.
Walking along the river path it is still possible to see some of the old retaining posts for the timber pond but it was the old photographs that really brought it to life in my mind. I especially loved the picture I found of children gathered on the shore. The date is uncertain but I have to admit to scanning the faces looking for any that might have been my dad, who was born in 1913 and would have played there.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and these old photographs, along with many others, really did help inspire the words I wrote and the world I created. I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at them as much as I did, and if you have read the book, hopefully they bring it to life for you as they did for me.
If you like what I write and would like to help me keep doing it, you can now buy me a virtual coffee by clicking on the little orange coffee cup at the bottom right. If you’re interested in my historic novels, Plagued is available now on Amazon.
The book Plagued is brilliant! I could really picture the houses and waterside. Can’t wait for the next one in the Flower Estate – if you could come and talk to our pupils at the local primary about your writing process and the estate’s history we would love this. I think my email is enclosed with this but if not please let me know how I can contact you properly or I’ll have to come to parkrun with my other half to try and spot you! Fantastic writing, I always enjoy your blog.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. The next one is actually set around the docks (the Flower Estate comes a little later) and it should be out in spring. I’ve sent you an email about visiting the school. If you do come to parkrun, please do come up and say hello. I’m there most weeks.
My grandfather was a lorry driver for Travis Arnold in Northam and I would love to see apicture either of the yard in Millbank Street or a typical lorry he would have driven.
I’m afraid I haven’t found any photographs of the lorries or the yard but it is well worth putting a post on any of the local Facebook history groups. In my experience, people often have this kind of photo in their private collections and are happy to share them.
Fabulous photos of Northam in days gone by. I hope to buy Plagued soon.
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the book. Let me know what you think.
I’ve been researching a bit of family history for my next book, and in the 1911 census, my maternal grandfather lived in William St, Southampton. Your photos blew my mind. I live in Australia, so it is a long way from you. What would the best approach be to researching the old docklands and workers?
There are some wonderful history groups on Facebook, See Southampton; Southampton Heritage Photos; Southampton Memories, People and Places; I would say they would be the best place to start.