Woolwich hulks - convicts scraping shot
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Woolwich hulks - convicts scraping shot
The Woolwich hulks (prison ships) - convicts scraping shot. Date: 1862
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 7178687
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10512952
Convicts Hulks Pauper Prison Scraping Shot Woolwich Workhouse
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures a moment in the daily life of the Woolwich Hulks, a collection of decommissioned ships moored in the Thames Estuary off Woolwich, England, which served as makeshift prisons from the late 18th century until the mid-19th century. In this photograph, taken in 1862, a group of convicts can be seen hard at work, scraping shot from the hulls of the ships. The shot, which were round iron balls used in cannons, had been discarded and were now being collected for reuse. The laborious process involved the convicts using long iron hooks to pull the shot from the ships' hulls, which had been submerged in the Thames for years. This backbreaking work was a common punishment for convicts, who were often sent to the hulks as an alternative to transportation to Australia or as a means of punishment after serving their initial sentence. The Woolwich Hulks were notorious for their harsh conditions, with overcrowding, disease, and poor sanitation leading to high mortality rates. The convicts lived in cramped, unsanitary conditions, and were subjected to long hours of hard labor. Despite these challenges, they were expected to work diligently, as the shot they collected was a valuable resource for the British military. This photograph provides a glimpse into the grim reality of life on the Woolwich Hulks, highlighting the harsh punishment and labor that was inflicted upon the convicts. It also serves as a reminder of the important role that these ships played in the British penal system and military, as well as the human cost of maintaining them.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.