Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol - A lovely view of Brunel's inspirational engineering spanning the Avon Gorge, as completed by John Hawkshaw in cooperation with William Henry Barlow (the resident engineer being Mr. T. Airey) in December 1864, the year prior to Mr. Hawkshaw's Penarth Dock opening!

The p.s. 'Bristol Queen' is moored awaiting departure to Penarth and Cardiff no doubt. The identity of the 'Bristol Queen' can be confirmed in comparison to her sister the 'Cardiff Queen' by the twin lifeboat davits at her stern. The postcard is held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]

Hotwells Landing Stage - River Avon - A Victorian scene at the landing stage as passengers alight for a trip down the river Avon bound across the Severn Sea for Penarth and Cardiff. The date of this charming stereo-view is not known but a hand written note at the edge states : 'Clifton landing and steamer leaving for Cardiff'. Another heritage image held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]

The area was formerly a spa which attracted the well-to-do (including composer Joseph Haydn) to sample the local 'hot-wells' renowned for it ability to cure their ills, but apparently, only at low tide and after wading through the claggy muds of the river Avon!

The landing stage at 'Hotwells' permitted steamers to land and collect passengers without the need to enter locks into Bristol Harbour.

With regard to the qualities of celebrated 'spa waters' using modern analysis techniques, well, I wouldn't if I were you because they have proven to be noxious and including ionising radiation! I wonder if those aristocratic Victorians, and before, took the waters so that they glowed in the dark in order to impress!

The enlargements have been colourised. At the sea end of the pier is a fine view of the Bijou Pavilion which was destroyed by fire during August 1930.

The lower enlargement shows the p.s. 'Devonia' of the Barry & Bristol Channel Steamship Company approaching the pier whilst the lower enlargement features people posing for the photograph whilst carriages await for the steamer's monied passengers.

The photograph can be dated to later than 1905 when the p.s. 'Gwalia' and p.s. 'Devonia' were purchased for the 'Red Funnel Fleet' of the Barry and Bristol Channel Steamship Company ; p.s. 'Westonia' followed during 1907. The fleet was disbanded during May 1910. Hence, the date of the photograph is between 1905 and early 1909 when this postcard was sent!

I wonder if this photograph has been taken from the tower of the Seawater Baths across the road?? The postcard is held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]