FOLLOWING his appeal for information regarding photos of the Lowestoft fishing fleet circa 1890, photo historian Dudley Booth has been provided with a wealth of useful details from Journal readers.

FOLLOWING his appeal for information regarding photos of the Lowestoft fishing fleet circa 1890, photo historian Dudley Booth has been provided with a wealth of useful details from Journal readers.

Mr Booth, who lives in Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada, stumbled across the local fishing fleet images as part of a recently found collection of old glass negatives.

“To think that these photographic treasures were discovered at a yard sale on the west coast of Canada and that they are in exceptional condition is truly remarkable,” said Mr Booth.

After seeing the images and the request for information, Lowestoft-resident Adrian Wincup contacted Dudley regarding the fishing vessel LT330.

“Adrian has been searching for years without success to find a photo of his great grandfather's boat. He asked me if the name, the Emblem, was visible on the bow of the ship. Indeed it was clear to see on the original negative, and an enlargement of the photo also permitted the discovery that there was a man on deck wearing a bowler hat,” he said.

“In that era, only the captain or owner of the ship would be so dressed. So there, looking out from the deck of the ship was John Thomas Belton, owner of the ship and great grandfather of Adrian Wincup.”

Following this discovery, Adrian put Dudley in touch with Jamie Campbell of Lowestoft. Jamie is part of the Excelsior Trust, which has the only remaining fully restored and operational ship from this fleet of more than 100 years ago.

Providing a variety of information to Dudley, he was also able to inform him that the photos were taken by famous Lowestoft photographer H Jenkins.

“The Jenkins family were active in the business of photography for 100 years, and I am told, some descendants may still live in the area. I would dearly love to be able to make contact with any members of the Jenkins family,” Dudley said.

Another contact, Stanley Earl, was able to contribute additional historic information regarding another of the fishing boats, the Primus, LT71.

The boat was a Wooden Dandy Drifter built in Lowestoft in 1882 by Fuller & Saunders for Edward Hall and was ultimately lost on North Beach of September 15, 1901.

Following this success, Dudley is keen for more people to come forward, with any new discoveries set to be published on his website.

“I am hoping that other readers will have some connections to the Lowestoft fishing fleet and be able to add to the historical record. I pursue every lead I can find with the hope of building an historic record of every photo in my collection,” he said.

To help Dudley in his quest for further information on his old photos or the Jenkins family, visit www.historicphotos.ca or email frazertwo@telus.net