AA-2026-71CCB4
On the image
A man in an official-looking uniform and cap, possibly naval or merchant marine, stands on the deck of what appears to be a ship, a small child at his side. In the mid-20th century, many careers involved wearing a uniform and carrying yourself with a certain gravitas, even when a child was present.
The child, bundled in a bright red hooded coat, looks directly at the camera, apparently unfazed by the stern demeanour of her uniformed companion. Bringing children aboard working vessels was a common enough practice then, a way for families to connect with the often distant, regulated lives of their seafaring relatives, probably before safety regulations became overly insistent on the concept of 'hazard identification'.
The ship's deck, with its utilitarian covered equipment and heavy chains serving as railings, offers a stark contrast to the casual family presence. This combination of official duty and personal life was just how things were done, blending the serious business of maritime operations with the occasional, slightly awkward family outing.
The historian's note
The image captures a man in a naval or maritime uniform alongside a child on the deck of a vessel. The man's uniform includes a peaked cap with an emblem, characteristic of military or official service attire from the mid-20th century.
The scene likely depicts a family member visiting a serviceman or merchant sailor on duty. Such visits were a common way for families to maintain connections in professions that often required prolonged absences, especially in the post-war period.
The setting on deck, with exposed equipment and robust chain railings, reflects the practical nature of working ships of the era. The presence of a child highlights the intertwining of personal and professional lives within these structured environments during the 1950s.
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Uniformed Man and Child on Ship Deck, 1950s. 1950–1959. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-71CCB4. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/uniformed-man-and-child-on-ship-deck-1950s.
@misc{aaAA202671CCB4,
title = {Uniformed Man and Child on Ship Deck, 1950s},
year = {1950–1959},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-71CCB4},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/uniformed-man-and-child-on-ship-deck-1950s}
}TY - ART TI - Uniformed Man and Child on Ship Deck, 1950s PY - 1950–1959 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-71CCB4 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/uniformed-man-and-child-on-ship-deck-1950s ER -
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