The Fall of Yarmouth Suspension Bridge: A Norfolk Disaster

On May 2nd 1845 one of the most shocking disasters of the Victorian age took place, when the Great Yarmouth suspension bridge collapsed, tipping hundreds into the water and drowning 79. They were all spectators of a circus promotional stunt, with Nelson the clown made his way down river in a wash tub pulled by geese. Gareth Davies records the building of the bridge, the events of the day and the inquest, and the social background of Great Yarmouth at that time.