IDNO

N.130842.HNL

Description

A French workman operating the sluices of a fish-farm at Arcachon. In the background are two further workmen, as well as a group fashionable dressed, who are probably visiting with James Hornell to the oyster park and may include Dr. Andre Hameau? and Monsieur Louis Michelet? and one of their wives and daughters. [JD 06/09/2022]

Place

W Europe; France; Gironde; Arcachon

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

?Dr. Andre Hameau; ?Monsieur Louis Michelet

Photographer

Hornell, James

Collector / Expedition

Hornell, James

Date

21 June - 7 July 1909

Collection Name

Hornell Collection

Source

Hornell, Charlotte (Mrs)

Format

Glass Negative Quarterplate

Primary Documentation

Other Information

N.17813.HNL - N.17820.HNL and N.130842.HNL were found unaccessioned in Drawer C.41.22 of the Photo Store, in a cardboard box, now numbered C691/.

Bibliographical Reference: In Hornell, James, 'The Practice of Oyster Culture at Arcachon and its lessons for India' in Madras Fisheries Bureau, 1910, Volume II. Bulletin No. 5., Hornell acknowledges, "My stay at Arcachon extended from 21st June to 7th July 1909; during this period through the kindness of Dr. Andre Hameau, President of la Societe Scientifique d'Arcachon, and of Monsieur Louis Michelet, the son of a pioneer in oyster-culture ranking perhaps next after Coste, I was enabled to see everything possible and of consequence pertaining to the industry. Dr. Hameau placed the motor boat belonging to his Society at my disposal in order to visit whatever oyster parks I might wish and gave me facilities to examine at leisure the
valuable series of culture exhibits in the museum and aquarium forming part of the fine Biological Station of which Arcachon is deservedly proud. To the Rev. Mr. Radcliff I am also greatly indebted for much patient assistance while in regard to Monsieur Michelet I can only say that I can neither sufficiently acknowledge his extreme kindness in accompanying me day after day in my wanderings nor express my admiration for the patience he showed in answering my apparently interminable string of questions. I remember, however, that I had extreme difficulty in finding any further queries on the last day of my stay. But everyone I came into contact with afforded me assistance to the utmost; this universal courtesy and helpfulness to a stranger is most pleasant to record, and the more remarkable as I went with no introductions whatever (p.2)." [JD 06/09/2022]

Named Person: Reverend Samuel Radcliff was a learned British clergyman with a distinguished beard. He emigrated to Arcachon in 1866 for health reasons after contracting pneumonia in England,where he became one of the figureheads of a lively community of British expatriates. Radcliff became such an authority on Arcachon that he penned a guidebook for fellow Britons who might be thinking of visiting or even moving to the town. The book was released in 1883 by the London publisher Thomas Laurie and went by the title of “Handbook to Arcachon”, coupled with this subtitle: “Arcachon, in the department of Gironde, France, its advantages as a health resort”. Radcliff died in Arcachon in 1911. [Source: https://invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com/2012/07/arcachons-place-fleming-part-1-reverend.html, JD 06/09/2022]