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Drought
This picture from the Illustrated London News, dated the 5th of July 1884, gives a vivid example of a hot summer when flooding of the river was far from people's minds. In previous centuries, drought would prevent sewage from washing away downstream, and so was a major health risk.
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The bed of the Thames at Twickenham |
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The dry bed of the Thames |
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5th July 1884
At Twickenham, the channel between the Middlesex shore and Eelpie Island has been quite dry, so that hundreds of people walked across to the island; and in other parts there was, in the bed of the river, a large space of gravel where crowds of folk of the neighbourhood assembled day after day. A table and chairs was set out upon this ground for a luncheon party, who drank their champagne in perfect safety where the water flows some feet thick in ordinary seasons. Another party measured out a cricket-ground, pitched their wickets, and had a regular game surrounded by a close throng of spectators.
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Introduction
Drought
