It is certainly not a Hong Kong scene but nevertheless an interesting photograph to view. For it to be a Singapore river scene, it seems to me the buildings on the right appear to be more "Western influenced" and taller than the Chinese godowns that one would normally expect to see lining the river away from the city centre. Just my thoughts for now.
Thanks very much for your replies Chinarail and Moddsey. I have consequently looked at post cards of Singapore (online) and I think this could be a view of the Boat Quay area. However I did not see any bridges that match the one in my father's photograph, or buildings, that would confirm to me, the location.
Several years ago I viewed an almost identical photograph, and vaguely recalled it was a scene in China. After a bit of research I found that this photograph to be of the Soochow (or Suzhou) Creek on the Suzhou River, which I believe is also called the Wusong River which I understand passes through the heart of Shanghai being a branch of the Yangtze River.
All a bit confusing, so take your pick as to what you want to title this photograph!
I am uploading a modern photo showing Boat Quay , Singapore which I still believe to be the approximate location of the view in your old photograph.
The bridge in the background is New Bridge and just beyond this is the arched structure of the next bridge known as Elgin Bridge.
Both bridges have been rebuilt since the 1920's-1930's and will therefore not match your photo perfectly. However, the other clue is the position of the tower of the Victoria Memorial Hall visible in the old and new photos .
Singapore - North Bridge seen from North Boat Quay- (Google Maps), by Chinarail
Looking at the pinnacle of the distant tower, this seems to match the old photos of Suzhou creek better than Singapore. The tower belongs to the old post office and I believe is a post office museum today. Google comparison here, but you'll need to zoom in to see the tower.
Of course it could be somewhere completely different altogether.
After doing some more searching , I now throw in the towel and defer to the opinions of first, moddsey then Adrian F and later philk . This is Soochow Creek with the post office tower in the distance. I failed to take into account the design of the riverside buildings . I owe you all a drink.... or two
That said, to me, the bridge in the main photo appears to have more of a curvature to it, slightly higher in the river and the bridge supports appear to be angled rather than shallow and rounded. Thus, I am not really sure of the location of the photo.
The photographer does appear to be standing on another bridge whilst taking the picture. Perhaps a@r can advise where he thinks his father was based at the time during his travels. Thanks.
Looking from the other end of the creek (see here) - actually this looks like the same angle Chinarail has just posted - the main section of the tower (first section proud of the roofline) in the original image seems to be taller than the Post Office one in both recently posted comparisons...so it's not necessarily a match after all. Food for thought anyway. Are there any other treaty ports that might contain similar architecture?
Thanks so much for your thoughts and research everybody.
Looking at the photos here and studying other photos and maps, I am in agreement with Adrian.F, that my photo shows the He'nanlu bridge over the Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, with the Post Office tower in the background. That is my best guess at present.
My father was in the Merchant Navy. His discharge book shows he was on China Japan Mail voyages in 1939, voyages during the war were described as foreign or trooping, China Mail in 1952.
Comments
Is this Hong Kong? - Singapore Boat Quay
I would suggest this was in Singapore on the Singapore River at Boat Quay looking eastwards.
The blurry building with a tall tower (top left) is probably the Victoria Memorial Hall, still preserved and serving as today's Victoria Concert Hall.
The distant bridge across the river is probably what is known as "New Bridge" .
Interesting Photograph
It is certainly not a Hong Kong scene but nevertheless an interesting photograph to view. For it to be a Singapore river scene, it seems to me the buildings on the right appear to be more "Western influenced" and taller than the Chinese godowns that one would normally expect to see lining the river away from the city centre. Just my thoughts for now.
Thanks very much for your…
Thanks very much for your replies Chinarail and Moddsey. I have consequently looked at post cards of Singapore (online) and I think this could be a view of the Boat Quay area. However I did not see any bridges that match the one in my father's photograph, or buildings, that would confirm to me, the location.
Thanks again
Soochow Creek, Shanghai, China.
Several years ago I viewed an almost identical photograph, and vaguely recalled it was a scene in China. After a bit of research I found that this photograph to be of the Soochow (or Suzhou) Creek on the Suzhou River, which I believe is also called the Wusong River which I understand passes through the heart of Shanghai being a branch of the Yangtze River.
All a bit confusing, so take your pick as to what you want to title this photograph!
Is this is Hong Kong?
I am uploading a modern photo showing Boat Quay , Singapore which I still believe to be the approximate location of the view in your old photograph.
The bridge in the background is New Bridge and just beyond this is the arched structure of the next bridge known as Elgin Bridge.
Both bridges have been rebuilt since the 1920's-1930's and will therefore not match your photo perfectly. However, the other clue is the position of the tower of the Victoria Memorial Hall visible in the old and new photos .
Suzhou V Singapore
Looking at the pinnacle of the distant tower, this seems to match the old photos of Suzhou creek better than Singapore. The tower belongs to the old post office and I believe is a post office museum today. Google comparison here, but you'll need to zoom in to see the tower.
Of course it could be somewhere completely different altogether.
Soochow/ Suzhou Creek
After doing some more searching , I now throw in the towel and defer to the opinions of first, moddsey then Adrian F and later philk . This is Soochow Creek with the post office tower in the distance. I failed to take into account the design of the riverside buildings . I owe you all a drink.... or two
Re: Soochow/Suzhou Creek
Soochow/Suzhou Creek does deliver possibilities.
That said, to me, the bridge in the main photo appears to have more of a curvature to it, slightly higher in the river and the bridge supports appear to be angled rather than shallow and rounded. Thus, I am not really sure of the location of the photo.
The photographer does appear to be standing on another bridge whilst taking the picture. Perhaps a@r can advise where he thinks his father was based at the time during his travels. Thanks.
Post Office Tower, Suzhou
Looking from the other end of the creek (see here) - actually this looks like the same angle Chinarail has just posted - the main section of the tower (first section proud of the roofline) in the original image seems to be taller than the Post Office one in both recently posted comparisons...so it's not necessarily a match after all. Food for thought anyway. Are there any other treaty ports that might contain similar architecture?
Made the Image Darker
Made the image darker for comparison with the original.
Thanks so much for your…
Thanks so much for your thoughts and research everybody.
Looking at the photos here and studying other photos and maps, I am in agreement with Adrian.F, that my photo shows the He'nanlu bridge over the Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, with the Post Office tower in the background. That is my best guess at present.
My father was in the Merchant Navy. His discharge book shows he was on China Japan Mail voyages in 1939, voyages during the war were described as foreign or trooping, China Mail in 1952.