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Tram on Madeira Walk, Ramsgate, Kent
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Tram on Madeira Walk, Ramsgate, Kent
Tram on Madeira Walk (operated by The Isle of Thanet Electric Tramways and Lighting Company), Ramsgate, Kent with view outward the Harbour. On 3 August 1905, car 41, during a routine descent of the precipitous, and adverse camber leading down Madeira Walk hill into Ramsgate harbour, suddenly careered out of control, jumping the tracks, causing it to crash straight through the railings, so that it then dropped over the 30 feet (9.1 m) cliff edge adjacent, causing injury to the driver. Date: circa 1908
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Media ID 23373460
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Atmospheric Corner Dangerous Electric Isle Lighting Madeira Precipitous Quay Ramsgate Rooftops Scenic Seafront Steep Thanet Tramlines Tramways Turning Walk Tram
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EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: A Perilous Descent: The Tram Disaster on Madeira Walk, Ramsgate, Kent, 1905 This evocative photograph captures the scenic beauty and charm of Ramsgate Harbour in Kent, England, as a vintage tram, operated by The Isle of Thanet Electric Tramways and Lighting Company, navigates the steep and winding Madeira Walk. The atmospheric image, with its rooftops and quaint buildings lining the seafront, transports us back to the early 1900s, when trams were an essential mode of transportation in coastal towns like Ramsgate. However, this seemingly idyllic scene holds a darker past. On a fateful day in August 1905, car 41, as seen in the photograph (circa 1908), experienced a catastrophic incident while descending the precipitous and adverse camber of Madeira Walk hill. The tram, with its passengers on board, suddenly careened out of control, jumping the tracks, and plunged through the railings, plummeting over the 30-foot (9.1 m) cliff edge adjacent to the harbour. The driver sustained injuries in the tragic accident. The steep hill, with its narrow corners and adverse camber, presented a significant challenge for the tram drivers. Despite the danger, the electric trams continued to operate on Madeira Walk, offering a thrilling ride for passengers while also posing a risk to their safety. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the past, showcasing the allure and perils of Ramsgate's coastal townscape during the early 1900s.
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