Weekend of 4th November 1882.
One the the worst floods to affect much of England occurred during the weekend of 25th October 1882. By kind permission of The British Newspaper Archives, we have transcribed and reproduce below an extract taken from The Yarmouth Independent on 4th November 1882.
WALBERSWICK
This place was quite a sea, and the ferry crossing was attended with considerable risk. The railway traffic had to be suspended. Sunday morning’s report stated that three feet of water were over the metals at Blythburgh; this, of course, was an effectual blockade. Every effort was made by the staff to repair the road as opportunity offered. The water at Potter’s Bridge was very high, and the wood footpath (raised some bit above the road) owing to the bad condition of the hand rail, being broken in several places, was extremely dangerous. The rain commenced on Friday night, and continued without cessation until Sunday morning, and was heavy during the greater part of the time. Had it not been for the concrete in front of the Long Island Cliff, the sea would have done irreparable damage, it making an inroad at that particular point. The new breakwater proved of great service, but the three jetties had large pieces snapped off them like matchwood. The boats had to be removed from the beach in front of the town, and at California they had to be secured at the back of the beach, the sea scouring away quite up to the Crabs. During Sunday the sea fell considerably, although at times the rollers were very lofty and frequent.
Dick's key for the uninitiated!
Potter's Bridge is on the B1127 between Reydon and WrenthamLong Island Cliff is infront of the Reading Room, Southwold
California is the beach area south of Gun Hill, Southwold
the Crabs are the winches at the top of the beach to wind the boats up.
The three jetties = anybody's guess!