This series of photos comes from some recently discovered glass plate negatives taken from around the turn of the 19th century, when PS Lord Elgin was operating for the Bournemouth & South Coast Steam Packets Ltd company. It shows Lord Elgin on a day out from Bournemouth and is an interesting record of the boat, its passengers and personnel at the time. If anyone can give me a more prescise indication of the date (perhaps based on the fashionable clothes worn by the ladies?) I should be pleased to hear from you at tom.lee@virgin.net. Tony Cooper suggests around 1905; Derek Warriner agrees as leg of mutton sleeves were in fashion between 1890 and 1906.
The captain surveys his domain at Bournemouth Pier
The passengers await departure
Lord Elgin backing off from Bournemouth Pier
The excursion begins!