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IN THE NEWS
TOUR OF THE MONTH
ON THIS DAY IN LONDON
20th October 1968 Comedian Bud Flanagan died in Kingston, London, aged 72.
20th October 1953 Actor Sir John Gielgud was arrested for cruising in a public lavatory.
20th October 1904 Born today: Anna Neagle, London Engld, actress (London Melody, Nurse Edith Cavell)
20th October 1862 Murderer Catherine Wilson hanged at Newgate Gaol, the last woman hanged in public in Britain.
20th October 1822 1st edition of London Sunday Times
20th October 1714 The Coronation of George I 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: 1671/2740
Pages Hit This Month: 44
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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