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Memories of the Earthquake of 1884

1961 , Wivenhoe (Essex)

Cat no. 214000

Mrs Wadley shares her memories of the 1884 earthquake.

Anglia Television item, illustrated with archival photographs, commemorating the Essex earthquake of 1884. Felt as far afield as Middlesex, London and Suffolk, the earthquake badly effected areas south of Colchester, with Langenhoe and Wivenhoe suffering serious damage to many buildings, as the tremor hastened the death of the infirm, and left many others homeless. Memories of that alarming day in 1884 are shared by Mrs Jane Wadley, a thirteen year old school teacher at the time, and now the oldest native inhabitant of Wivenhoe. Mrs Wadley recalls her first reactions - 'I thought it was these Sinn Feinners blowing up the school' - and describes the evacuation of the school. She also shares anecdotes about her husband's father, left hanging from the rain troughs of his house when the earthquake shook away his ladder; the village's fear of a tidal wave; and an old lady who, having fetched her cashbox, claimed that 'the judgement day has come'.

Featured Events

Essex Earthquake of 1884

Keywords

Earthquakes; Natural disasters

Other Places

Langenhoe, Essex

Manifestations

Memories of the Earthquake of 1884

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