A cache to commemorate one of the darkest tragedies in Great Yarmouths history. Many lost their lives here as on the 2nd of May 1845 a crowd gathered on and around the suspension bridge over the river Bure to see an advertising stunt as a clown, named Nelson, was pulled by geese up the river. Lots of the town folk turned out to watch.
a transcript of the original newspaper report of the 10th of may 1845
"On the afternoon of the day on which this narration bears date... as early as 5 o'clock, although raining smartly, thousands of spectators had already assembled to witness the feat on both sides of the river... there were many persons on the bridge, and as he drew near, the multitude upon it endeavoured to obtain a full view as he (Nelson the clown) should pass underneath - when one or two of the rods were observed to give way, an instant alarm was given to quit the bridge, alas the caution came too late - the chains broke, and as quick as the passing thought, one entire side fell and the whole mass of the human beings, whos numbers were estimated from 300/400 were swept into the river below. the traffic road of the bridge, which but an instant before was horizontal, had become nearly perpendicular."
what makes this tragedy particularly sad is of all those who died, nearly all were children. A memorial is now placed here due to a local woman, Mrs Julie Staff, who felt this tragedy should be fittingly remembered.
N52 (Issac Bradberry + Caroline Church). Robert Adams, Charles Dye, David Ebbage
E001 (Elizabeth Manship +Elizabeth Fulcher). James Seaman Buck, Ann Becket, Matilda Livingstone