The Harbour and Docks, Bristol

Photograph taken October 1924 © Historic England Archive Aerofilms Collection ref: afl03/aerofilms/c18207

An oblique aerial view across Bristol with the Clifton Suspension Bridge in the background. The photograph shows how water from the River Avon is channelled into the docks. A large lock controls the water level and allows ships into and out of the docks. Ships and cargo can be clearly seen whereas today (2010) the docks have gone and been replaced largely with housing. More aerial photographs.

Location

Bristol Bristol

Period

1920s (1920 - 1929)

Themes

"Wills, Shaw and Friese-Greene Ready to Film". This was a publicity shot for the foundation of the Aerofilms aerial photography company. It was taken at the London Aerodrome, Hendon. Francis Lewis Wills was a former Royal Naval Air Service Observer and co-founder of Aerofilms. Claude Friese-Greene, holding the cine-camera, was technical director for Aerofilms in its early days, but is best known as a pioneering cinematographer. We know very little about Shaw, the pilot, probably an AirCo employee.

The Harbour and Docks, Bristol

Location

Period

Themes

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