When was this picture of Ostend taken?

Question

(I originally [erroneously] posted this on Travel SE, but it was recommended that I repost here.)

I found this postcard at a flea market (in the US) and am very curious when it was taken, or if any of the buildings remain.

Clearly it is a picture of Ostend; the French in the corner translates to "Towers and Turrets". I am relatively confident that the cathedral in the background is Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk, which was completed in 1908.

Based on the angle on the church spires, I have gone to the location where I think this picture was taken from (Leopold III-laan or Natiënkaai, looking NW) on Google Streetview, but it seems like all the buildings pictured have been knocked down. Aided by some commenters on Travel SE, I have discovered that the other Gothic-esque turret to the left of the church is the Zeevaartcommissariaat or Maritime Commissioner's Office.

I don't have a flatbed scanner but I tried taking a few pictures with macro mode on my camera:

Boat labeled "Antwerpen".

A few stores.

With a magnifying glass I can read some of the English text on the buildings:

• Far left white building: "THE NORTH STAR ??? RESTAURANT"
• Building directly below the church is advertising "Short Sea Routes: Ostend-Dover-London / London-Dover-Ostend"
• Rightmost building with awning: "Cafe Restaurant a la Gare Maritime"; the Maritime Station remains today and would make sense with the location I am thinking. It was built in 1904 (or maybe 1913, the current building?), per the French Wikipedia article on the station (translated).
• Next building over (to the left of the boat): "Atlantic Hotel"

There are some French and Dutch signs which I can't read.

I'm not seeing any cars, which suggests this must have been pretty early in the 20th century. I see some people walking down the street, and the water is rippling, so this couldn't have been a super long-exposure shot.

On the original post, some commenters pointed out:

• This thread, depicting the Zeevaartcommissariaat. Seems like this building was destroyed at the beginning of the war.
  • I think it was built around 1900, so the postcard must be from between 1900 and 1940.
• More postcards from Ostend.

Can anyone narrow down the date of this photograph any more?

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The back is empty besides a few lines for the address, a small printed "k", and some discoloration in the corners that seem to suggest the postcard was kept in a frame for the last few decades.

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Updates

• Per @njuffa's suggestion, I took a bunch of macro photos of the boat and applied a median filter: MUSBOOT?

Answer 1

Some more breadcrumbs to aid in searches.

Unclean results. Don't have more time now, but didn't want this all go to waste.

Either help clean it up to make into a proper Community Wiki, or feel free to use the info here and take it into a properly formatted answer…

We see the Vindictivelaan, which was so renamed after in 1918 the British HMS Vindictive was sunk there to block the port for German operations. Previously, it was called Keizerskaai or Quai de l'Empereur. We seem to be looking away from the train station towards the church and the wharf with that street.

The church itself and the 'Waterhouse' (General Drink Water Supply/Waterhuis) are stil standing, the t'Waterhuis now being a restaurant with house number 35.

https://wikimapia.org/street/15577540/Vindictivelaan

Van Stockholmstraat and Kanunnik Dr. Louis Colensstraat to Sint-Petrus- en -Paulusplein. Street running west-east north of the marina, only built on one side (north). In the second half of the 18th century so-called "Keizerskaai" or "Quai de l'Empereur" after Emperor Joseph II: name for all streets and quays around the trading basins. The northern part of it was given its current name in 1919, after the old cruiser that was sunk in 1918 in the harbor channel of Ostend. Construction is part of the southern urban expansion of 1781-1782 after the dismantling of the southern fortresses and construction of three trading docks (1776-1783). Creation of a new commercial residential area with first buildings between 1785-1789. Part east of Zuidstraat until 1871 belonging to Visserskaai.

The Maritime Commissariat was located on the southeastern corner with Zuidstraat, also known as "Pilotage", built in neo-Flemish Renaissance style in 1898-1899 after a design by architect C. Dewulf (Bruges), damaged in the Second World War and demolished in 1990. Southwestern side originally occupied by third trading dock west. Lg is partly filled in after the First World War for the construction of the "Panorama" (1924) on the corner with Stockholm Street, a round pavilion in which the panoramic painting "The Battle of the Yser" by A. Bastien. In the late 1940s, complete damping of the third dock and demolition of the panorama (1951). Here location of new town hall (1956) in function of post-war geographic city center cf. urbanization plan (1945) by J. Eggericx in collaboration with city engineer A.

In the 19th century on the western side of the street, mainly hotels located at "Hotel du Commerce", "Hotel de la Couronne" (19th century) (used for a time as a purse) and "Hotel Cosmopolite", later z.g. "Stella Maris" (interbellum); between Zuidstraat and Sint-Petrus- en -Paulusplein, mainly inns and agencies, ("British Continental Agency", "Agence Southern Railways of England"). Remaining two-storey neoclassical buildings under a tiled hipped roof from the second half of the 19th century with an older core: no. 21 with white-painted brick cornice and chamfered door bay, renovated in 1959 (parement and joinery) to a design by architect M. Dinnewet (Ostend).

No. 35/ Sint-Petrus- en -Paulusplein so-called "'t water house", formerly completely detached on the quay. Under this building, since 1623, there was a cistern for drinking water intended for ships. In the second half of the 20th century, the ground floor with fixed terrace from the 1990s was renovated.

Nos. 26-27, 28 , 29, 30, 31, 32, 34. Historic reconstruction after the Second World War while preserving 19th-century parcelling and volume, hotels and apartment buildings of three to four storeys with catering function on the ground floor. Current street scene mainly determined by commercial and apartment buildings up to ten storeys from the third quarter of the 20th century.

— Vlaanderen Inventaris Vindictivelaan ID7005 URI https://id.erfgoed.net/themas/7005

In 1903: Beschrijving: vooraan gemeerd : O.25 Augusta. Dit is een stoombak welke in de vaart werd gebracht door de rederij S.A. des Chalutiers à Vapeur. In 1903 werd het vaartuig overgenomen door Henri Aspeslagh en Florimond Zonnekein. Op 21-07-1904 is de O.25 Augusta gezonken. https://www.beeldbankkusterfgoed.be/m/9463dae081e6416e9ef2fb677e32d5e1178f5022d5f24b1f942ff7073ff23066

Photo : Sketch of the Keizerskaai housing block (1900) and Keizerskaai, now Vindictivelaan (1904) Sketch of the block of houses bordered by Keizerskaai, now Vindictivelaan, Werfstraat, now Hendrik Serruyslaan, Euphrosina Beernaert- and Aartshertoginnestraat. This block was demolished for the construction of the Hendrik Serruyslaan around 1905. The buildings nos. 3 and 4 can be seen in the photo below. On the right the Aartshertoginnestraat. https://www.deplate.be/foto-schets-van-het-huizenblok-keizerskaai-1900-en-de-keizerskaai-thans-vindictivelaan-1904

undated: Postcard: Visserskaai Description Postcard Marco 62. Ostende -Panorama des quais et des basins. To the right, the Visserskaai. In the middle, the Sint Petrus- en Pauluskerk and the Keizerskaai on the left with the Waterhuis on the corner (on the right) and the Maritime Commissariat with a turret. https://www.deplate.be/postkaart-visserskaai-17

undated Postcard: Handelsdokken Albert, N° 39. - Ostend - Vue à vol d'oiseau des basins et du bld Vindictive. - Upper lock head of the lock trading docks, you can see the empty door cabinets from before the extension. In the background the Keizerskaai, now Vindictivelaan. From the Zuidstraat to the Sint Petrus en Paulusplein. On the left the Maritime Commissariat, with a turret, and on the right, on the corner, the Water House, where the ship's stock of potable water was collected. https://www.deplate.be/postkaart-handelsdokken-36

undated postcard – Nels. - Ostend - Bassin du Commerce et pilotage . - Fishing vessels moored in the first trading dock along Vindictivelaan. Right, brasserie "Waterhuis". Left, the Maritime Commissariat, also called "Pilotage". In the background, part of the towers of the Saint Peter and Paul Church and next to it the spire, or "De Peperbusse", of the Saint Peter's Church destroyed by fire https://www.deplate.be/postkaart-handelsdokken-48

Postkaart : Handelsdokken (1919) Omschrijving Postkaart Neurdein 293. Le bassin de commerce https://www.deplate.be/postkaart-handelsdokken-28

Photo : Keizerskaai (1910). Now Vindictivelaan near the Kapellestraat. The Civil Guard marches on the left. https://www.deplate.be/foto-de-keizerskaai-1910-nu-vindictivelaan-ter-hoogte-van-de-kapellestraat-links-marcheert-de-burgerwacht

Postcard: Lock to the first trading dock Nels, series Ostende, no. 77. Ostende - Une écluse. The lock, built in 1821, which gave access to the first trading dock. The lock was 58.50 m long and 12 m wide. In the background, the Keizerskaai, with the Water House on the right with the inscription "General Supply of Drink Water" and in the background with the tower "Pilotage". The background on the left, the second railway station. https://www.deplate.be/postkaart-sluis-naar-het-eerste-handelsdok

Postcard: Handelsdokken (~1900) Ostend - Un coin du port. - The brigantine "KJARTAN" from Kragerö Norway supplied wood for L. Carbon. In the background, the Keizerskaai, with on the corner of the Zuidstraat, the Maritime Commissariat also called "Pilotage" and on the right, the "Royal Mail Hotel". Several steam trawlers are located along the quay. https://www.deplate.be/postkaart-handelsdokken-23

Postcard: Handelsdokken : Ostend - Le torpilleur Français Alarme. The French warship called at our port on August 14, 1901. Here in the second trading dock. Right : "Hôtel de Barcelone", Keizerskaai 16 Inventory 2020/1286 and 2020/1285 photo archive D2 album 3 origin Simoens (copy) https://www.deplate.be/postkaart-handelsdokken-11

Photo : Kapellestraat, intersection with Keizerskaai (now Vindictivelaan) (1901). - Festive decoration on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul on August 5, 1901. With a lot of people and a carriage https://www.deplate.be/foto-de-kapellestraat-kruispunt-met-de-keizerskaai-thans-vindictivelaan-1901-feestelijke-versiering-ter-gelegenheid-van-de-eerste-steenlegging-van-de-sint-petrus-en-pauluskerk-op-5-augustus-1901-met-veel-volk-en-koets

1910: The Keizerskaai, with the Waterhuis on the right (general supply of drinking water), and the Maritime Commissariat on the left, or "De Pilotage" (with turret). In the background the Saint Peter and Paul Church.: https://www.deplate.be/foto-de-keizerskaai-thans-vindictivelaan-1910

1912: Description Centrally the café 't Waterhuis, located on the corner of Keizerskaai and Sint Petrus en Paulusplein (right). The ship's supply of potable water was collected there. The building dates from 1632 and still exists today. In 1988, the cafe's facade was embellished, giving the building a new look. On the left, the hotel Atlantic, which was then run by Mr C. Kerkaert. https://www.deplate.be/foto-de-keizerskaai-thans-vindictivelaan-circa-1912

Modern view https://earth.google.com/web/@51.22932974,2.92468,2.91754866a,0d,60y,-105.98h,89.9999t,0.0003r/data=IhoKFnBETTdDd01vNzhDdHpWSjlWWkxvU2cQAg?hl=en

Better here?: 51°13'44.13" N 2°55'24.37" E

Beschrijving 1895 (Circa). De KEIZERSKAAI (Thans VINDICTIVELAAN). De Keizerskaai, gezien vanaf het tweede Handelsdok. Centraal de Kapellestraat, met op de linkerhoek het HOTEL DE LA COURONNE en op de rechterhoek het HOTEL DU BASSIN. Op de achtergrond de toren van de Sint PIETERSKERK (bijgenaamd De PEPERBUSSE) waaraan herstellingswerken worden uitgevoerd. Datum: 1895 Plaats: Oostende Auteur Anoniem in Van Caillie (1989) http://www.vliz.be/nl/multimedia/wetenschatten?album=3647&pic=58656

Beschrijving 1910. De KEIZERSKAAL (Thans VINDICTIVELAAN). De Keizerskaai, vanaf de Zuidstraat tot aan het Sint Petrus en Paulusplein. Links het ZEEVAARTCOMMISSARIAAT (met torentje). Rechts, op de hoek, het WATERHUIS waar de scheepsvoorraad drinkbaar water werd opgedaan. Datum: 1910 Plaats: Oostende Auteur Anoniem in Van Caillie (1985)

http://images.vliz.be/55392_van-caillie-1985-pl-93.jpg

https://mheuropehot.blob.core.windows.net/mediahaven-saas-browse-main/KUSTERFGOED/9463dae081e6416e9ef2fb677e32d5e1178f5022d5f24b1f942ff7073ff23066/browse.jpg

The town saw some damage in WW1 and much more in 1940 https://www.genialogic.de/en/pictures/belgium-historic-pictures-and-postcards/ostende-historische-bilder-und-impressionen.html

https://www.genialogic.de/en/pictures/belgium-historic-pictures-and-postcards/image.raw?view=image&type=orig&id=4213

Foto : De Tweede Wereldoorlog. De Vindictivelaan (1940-1945) The ruined hotels and restaurants located opposite the station. On the left the Maritime Commissariat, or "Pilotage", whose facade was destroyed. https://www.deplate.be/foto-de-tweede-wereldoorlog-de-vindictivelaan-1940-1945

Resulting in such lovelies:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Residentie_%22Josmar%22_Vindictivelaan_18-19_Oostende.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=Vindictivelaan&title=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image

A postcard survives with advertising for Hotel Atlantic in Ostend, Quai de l'Empereur 57 (owner: Kerckaert) dating to 1913: https://www.abebooks.com/Ansichtskarte-Atlantic-Hotel-Ostende-Werbepostkarte-Kerckaert/30711873282/bd#&gid=1&pid=1

Taking into account photographic technology does not lead to a meaningful narrowing of the time frame for this picture beyond what is provided in the question. The question points out that a relatively short exposure time was needed to depict moving pedestrians and ripples on the water without visible blurring. Rapid advances in shutter technology in the late 19th century already allowed exposure times of 1/100 sec pre-1900, and by 1912 a professional SLR produced by Graflex sported a top shutter speed of 1/500 sec.