War & Bedlam

[MPerson]

The building which accommodates the Imperial War Museum in London, was formerly the central portion of Bethlem Royal Hospital, or "Bedlam", as it was commonly known. Designed by James Lewis, it was completed in 1815. Sidney Smith’s dome was added in 1846 and contained the chapel. The east and west wings were demolished in the early 1930s to make room for the park which now surrounds the Museum.

Bethlem is the world's oldest institution caring for people with mental disorders. It has been a part of London since 1247, on various sites. The hospital was housed in this building from 1815 to 1930. Patients have included Mary Nicholson who tried to assassinate George III in 1786; Jonathan Martin, committed in 1829 after setting fire to York Minster and the architect A W N Pugin who designed the Houses of Parliament and St George’s Roman Catholic Cathedral opposite the Museum.

The two 15 inch Naval guns are from HMS Ramillies and HMS Resolution. They weigh 100 tons each and can fire a half ton (1016Kg) shell 16.5 miles (2.5Km).


MP | Summicron 35/2 | Fomapan 100 @ 160 iso | Diafine 3+3 | Coolscan

2009-05-05-mp-nokton50-foma160-009-2.jpg

[JohnPaul]

An excellent photo and a very learned commentary!

[Max Alfy]

Very impressive subject and capture.

But the maths need refining: a half ton is 11OO lbs, and 16,5 miles is 25 km.

Max

[pauledell]

Andy,

Nice capture with good composition,sharpness and tones.

Paul