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This film of the 1901 Trafalgar Day celebrations in Liverpool, was commissioned by
the exhibitor Ralph Pringle from the Mitchell and Kenyon Company. Pringle's
rather confusingly named North American Animated Photo Company covered a circuit
extending from the Midlands all the way to Scotland and down to the South West.
The film of this elaborate public event was intended to be shown locally in
Liverpool.
Trafalgar Day is an annual celebration of the great victory of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson's British fleet over the combined French
and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805. It was widely
commemorated by parades, dinners and other events throughout much of the British
Empire in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Liverpool, as one of the great
British ports, would have particular cause to display its patriotism on this
day. It is notable that the merchant navy is prominently included in the parade,
which would explain the multiracial mix.
Trafalgar Day survives to this day as a focus for the Navy to celebrate and a
day for the naval cadets to parade in Trafalgar Square. It was widely celebrated
during the bicentenary of the battle in 2005, including a full review of the
Fleet at Spithead by the Queen.
Bryony Dixon
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Mitchell and Kenyon 404 (2:45)
