Woolwich hulks - guards give escape signal
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Woolwich hulks - guards give escape signal
The Woolwich hulks (prison ships) - guards give the escape signal. Date: 1862
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Media ID 7178675
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10512956
Escape Give Guards Hulks Pauper Prison Signal Woolwich Workhouse
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures a pivotal moment in the history of the Woolwich hulks, a collection of decommissioned ships moored in the Thames Estuary that served as a makeshift prison from the late 18th to the mid-19th century. In this photograph taken in 1862, we see a group of guards giving the signal for an escape attempt by the pauper prisoners confined within. The hulks, which were primarily used to house the homeless, the infirm, and the destitute, were infamous for their harsh conditions and high mortality rates. The prisoners, desperate for freedom, would often attempt to escape, leading to frequent clashes between the inmates and the guards. The signal in this photograph indicates that an escape is imminent, with the guards preparing to sound the alarm and give chase. The prisoners, who are out of the frame, would have been hiding in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment to make their break for freedom. Despite the risks involved, the allure of freedom was too strong for many, and the hulks became a symbol of the harsh realities faced by the most vulnerable members of society during this period. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the human spirit's resilience and the lengths people will go to in pursuit of their freedom.
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