Back to 1884

I can’t do the present. It’s too upsetting. Comedy is writing itself, government is making up jobs, the Prime Minister’s new Comms guy has defended him by singing Gloria Gaynor together and publicly saying that he’s not a complete clown. Footballer kick cats and there is more public outrage than when they beat and rape their wives and Bamber Gascgoine died.

I was reminded that Maldon had an MP called Bamber Gascgoyne in the late 1700s and was responsible for some debacle which caused the town to lose its charter.

But I’m not interested in that period of Maldon history, so instead I took refuge in the local newspapers of the 1880s.

I hope this dramatic piece brings you joy too.

Essex Herald 28 April 1884. 

‘Our Maldon correspondent was standing in his bedroom after breakfast, looking out of the window in s south easterly direction, when at 17 minutes past nine by the Union house clock, which he could see from his standpoint, he heard a noise as of a distant rumbling, but increasing to that of a rushing wind. It was followed by six or seven vibrations to and fro apparently to him between the south east and north west and so distinct that he not only felt himself swayed but saw the house oscillate to a considerable extent, as also articles of furniture in the room. Others in the London Road had similar experiences and in some instances Bells were set ringing in houses. Strange to say the effect of the shock seemed to be felt most in what is supposed to be the strongest building in the town, the old Moot Hall. In the police station there Head Constable Wombwell and PC Parrott were engaged, and somewhat alarmed by a great crash at the back of the building and an apparent upheaving of the whole pile. They made up their minds that the place was falling about their ears and ran into the High Street only to see hosts of other people in the same case. The crash was discovered to be the violent colliding of the weights of the town clock, which kept in motion for half an hour afterwards. At the post office a pane of glass cracked. On the hillside of the town, house bells had a joyful time of it, and throughout the town good things were done for earthenware dealers. At Mrs Andrews jewelry shop, High street, a clock fell from the shelf and numerous instances of chimney ornaments falling were heard of. The water in Mr FG Green’s aquarium was much agitated and a watersider at the Hythe observed the tide, which was nearly high to rise three or four inches and assume a wavy motion. At the Hythe too, a baby seated in a high chair was thrown to the floor, fortunately however escaping without injury.

Why didn’t I know about the 1884 earthquake?