Crater

 

The city of Crater lies within the crater of the old volcano and was the centre of commerce of Aden, housing many business institutions, shops and the dwellings of local inhabitants.

Here are some of my photographs taken in the city and its surrounds.

 

St Mary's Garrison Church sitting high on the hill overlooking Crater city, March 1965.

The church was completed in 1871. Sadly I have read that the roof collapsed some years after this photograph was taken by me. Seemingly it was repaired but now sits on a lower level between the walls than seen above.

 

The Aden Minaret was originally believed to be part of the Manara Mosque and is located near to the GPO building. It has 6 stories and is 21 feet high. The very low roof height on the top story would have made it extremely difficult for the Muadin to call the faithful to prayer as he could not have stood upright, February 1965.

 

The Public Library in Crater, February 1965.

 

Shops in a street in Crater, March 1963.

 

Adamally & Co in Crater sold a range of top quality tools including those from the British 'Britool' manufacturer. I still have a number purchased from this shop that have served me well over the past 45 years. There was very little one could not purchase in Aden from these quaint old shops, March 1963.

 

The Chartered Bank, Crater, January 1965.

 

The offices of Luke Thomas Shipping Agents, April 1965.

 

Chaos! April 1965.

 

The car park adjacent to the Police Barracks, close to Crater Pass.

(Note the shacks in the gash in the rocks.)

(My thanks to Jack Morgan who identified the location of this photograph and the two that follow.)

 

The Police Barracks.

 

The Police Parade Ground.

 

Petrol and service station on the road out of Crater leading to Crater Pass and Ma'alla. In this photograph it can be seen that the bridge across the pass, as seen in the Ma'alla approach pictures, has been destroyed by the rock blasting to accommodate the new two lane road, February 1965.

 

Ras Marshag Lighthouse. The original lighthouse on this site was first built in 1866 and made operational in 1867. It is located at latitude 12º 46'North, longitude 45º 03' East.

 

Holkat Bay with the W/T masts at Khormaksar just visible in the distance.

 

Holkat Bay.

 

A view of Sirah Island with the W/T masts of Khormaksar just visible in the background.

This picture was taken on the road from Ras Marshag and Holkat Bay, looking to the north.

 

Another view of Sirah Island and the fort from Holkat Bay, looking to the north.

 

Sirah Island and Fort from the causeway linking it to Crater, February 1965. The Sirah Fort on top of the island dates back many hundreds of years and played an important historical part in the defence of the old port of Aden at Front Bay.

 

Sirah Island from Front Bay, looking to the south, January 1965.