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IN THE NEWS
TOUR OF THE MONTH
ON THIS DAY IN LONDON
16th July 1985 Bill to abolish Greater London Council receives royal assent
16th July 1939 Born today: Corin Redgrave, London, actor (Excalibur, Man For All Seasons)
16th July 1924 Conference over German recovery payments begins in London
16th July 1877 Spencer Gore wins the first ever Wimbledon tennis tournament - after 3 days rain delay.
16th July 1377 The Coronation of Richard II in Westminster Abbey.
Earls Court Big Wheel
This was where the first London Eye used to be before the wars.
Location: Earl's Court, London
Description: Here was the pre-cursor to the London Eye, built for the exhibition at Earls Court in 1894 and capable of carrying 1,200 passengers within its 40 carriages. It was modelled on the original one in Chicago. This wheel stayed in service until 1906 by which time it had carried over 2.5 million passengers.
It was built by two young Australian engineers named Adam Gaddelin and Gareth Watson and was the first of over 200 ferris wheels that they built world-wide.
One night the wheel got stuck and those in the upper carriages who couldnt climb down had to stay there all night. Coffee and sandwiches were hoisted up and the prisoners were brought down by the fire brigade the following day and compensated.
Historical
Disaster
Ranking This Month: 640/2801
Pages Hit This Month: 45
Link to This Page: http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location/492
Credits: http://www.studygroup.org.uk/Journals/Content/The%20Gigantic%20Wheel%20and%20Recreation%20Towers%20Co.htm
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This was where the first London Eye used to be before the wars. |
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