Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Novel Mode of Transport!

"Clown on the Thames"
"Clown on the Thames"

Diana found this snippet of news in the Isle of Wight Observer dated 21 June 1856:

“NOVEL MOVE – Mr Nelson, the clown in Bridges’ circus, brought together an immense crowd on the Esplanade on Thursday afternoon to witness his aquatic feat of being drawn by four geese in a washing tub from the pier to the end of the Esplanade. He made his appearance in the tub with the geese harnessed to it, but instead of being drawn by them, he propelled the whole with a couple of small paddles”.

The illustration is an adaptation of a drawing called “Clown on the Thames” from PeoplePlay UK website. It is not a picture of Mr Nelson, but is, perhaps, what he might have looked like.