Great Yarmouh, The Opening of the Bure Bridge
The suspension chain bridge was built by R. Cory at a cost of £4,000.
On 2nd May 1845,disaster struck.
In a widely advertised publicity stunt which was designed to draw in the crowds, Nelson the Clown, a performer with William Cooke's Circus, had undertaken to swim in a barrel drawn by four geese from Haven Bridge at Hall Quay to the Suspension Bridge at North Quay. An estimated 300-400 spectators had rushed onto the suspension bridge in an effort to get a better view as he passed beneath. When one of the rods gave way a cry went out to evacuate the bridge, but it came too late and as the chains began to snap along one side, the bridge tipped over, catapulting its occupants into the waters below.
Seventy one people were killed in the accident.
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