Account of Sandgates Sensational Soil Subsidence 1893

SANDGATE SENSATIONAL SOIL SUBSIDENCE (1893)
TOM MALTBY'S GUIDE

Upon your arrival at Sandgate Station, and enquiring the road to the ruins, any man on the station, from the courteous Station-master, Mr. Caudell, to the boy who collects tickets will direct you to "Keep to the left". Presuming you are here met by a Guide to whom the locality is known, he will first - at a short distance from the Station - point out to you a vacated residence known as Littlebourne Lodge. In reality Littlebourne Lodge has borne a great deal, and is considerably dislodged, the walls and ceilings bieng badly cracked. Turning up an opening on the left you are shown Cheriton Cliff Villa. The doors of this domicile are owning to the Landslip rendered unfit for opening and shutting, and furniture and goods were at considerable risk lowered to the ground fro the windows.

On the sea front opposite you'll notice a badly damaged groyne. Re-crossing the road and still keeping to the left you reach a terrace of seven houses, known as Sunnyside. The tenants here mainly depended on summer boarders for maintenance and support but owing to severe damage to the houses - both inside and out - it is scarcely likely, unless repairs are rapidly proceeded with, that the usually comfortable and charming apartments therein will this year be occupied by visitors.

At the back of Sunnyside Terrace you may be shown one of the gardens belonging to Tavenor Bros., fruiterers and florists, of Sandgate. This garden is in a generally upheaved condition. Adjacent stands Wellington Place, situated on an elevation at the rear of Wellington Terrace. The houses on the Terrace and in Wellington Place are also deserted by the tenants. The apartments in Wellington and Gloucester Terraces have for years been among those most sought after by visitors, and the calamity means a terrible loss to thier late tenants.

Keeping to the left of Wellington Place you reach the Clarendon Inn, which, notwithstanding the dilapidated condition of the houses on either side, stands tolerably firm in comparison. Business, up to the time of writing, is still carried on, though very great inconvenience has been caused to the landlord and his wife not having been able to procure proper food, in consequence of the damage done to the stoves. Neighbourly assistance has, however, been forthcoming.

Adjoining the Clarendon stands (so far) three cottages, the lower two being completely parted. The gardens in this neighbourhood are also in a terrible condition. While inspecting the Clarendon Inn and adjacent cottages you stand on Brewer's Hill, a much frequented road leading to Shorncliffe Camp. Almost exactly half-way up this Hill a spacious gap in the path occurred, and for some time the water from a broken drainpipe rushed with great violence towards the sea. Men have been at work here since Sunday, the the roadway is now partially restored.

Descending Brewer's Hill and turning again to the left Castle House is brought to view. This house was occupied by Mr. Mark Judge, a gentleman of influence who since the catastrophe has come prominently and worthily forward in the interests of the sufferers. The east wall of this residence is parted in the centre, and the ceilings and floors are in a state bordering on collapse. On the left of Castle House stands Prospect Place, consisting of five houses, each being more or less damaged, and , like the others, deserted. Three other smaller houses at the rear of Prospect Place are in a similar condition. In a garden immediately at the rear of the houses referred to above the visitor will be surprised at the sight of greenhouses and vineries fallen and falling, flower beds upheaved, and stone steps and palings laying in startling confusion. This garden is also the property of Tavenor Bros.

Retracing your steps and bearing to the left you reach Farleigh House, which, though considerably damaged inside and out, has been purchased since the disaster by Mr J J Jones, of Beach Rocks. On the left of Farleigh House you enter the gates of Encombe, the property of Miss Reilly, by whose kindness visitors have been enabled - by paying sixpense at the gates - to witness some of the most strange and serious results of the Landslip. The money paid for admission is added to the Relief Fund, and it may with satisfaction be chronicled that during the first four days the grounds were thus opened to the public nearly one hundred pounds were in this way collected.

On leaving the grounds of "Enchanting Encombe" and again turning to the left, you will not fail to observe that more than ordinary attention is directed towards spring House and the cottages on either side. Spring House is the sensation of the subsidence, and by the time this pamphlet is n the printer's hands it may have collapsed altogether.

With but a shed intervening stands the house and bakery, built by the late occupier, Mr. Ludlow, for whom much sympathy is felt, the house and bakery having been but recently completed. Barton House and the Rose Inn are but slightly affected, and are still occupied. On the opposite side of the street you will notice the Station till lately occupied by the Sandgate Coastguards, who are now in safer - though less official - quarters. The flagstones in front of the outer wall were thrown completely out of place, and the appearance of the wall itself is at present decidedly ziz-zag.

By observing the wall facing the sea and the condition of the row of houses, it is made evident that the authorities were wise in directing the men to remove their families and goods into other quarters. Adjacent stands M. Offredi's Cafe, which is considerably damaged, as is also the sea wall and surface of the Esplanade round about.

Recrossing the road, the much talked of ruins in Chapel Street, will be witnessed. It is difficult and unnecessary to describe the prinks played by Nature in this locality. Considerable attention has been given it, by the illustrated press, by reporters, and photographers.

Retracing your steps in the High Street, you will pass on imposing building, known as Beach Rocks convalescent Home, which is in a perfectly safe and sounds condition.

A little further on, you'll stop and refresh at The Alexandra Hotel, which adjoins that favourite public resort well known as Malby's Mansion of Mirth, the New Alhambra Theatre of Varieties, where every evening, throughout the year, may be witnessed a first class entertainment of refined variety.

Having reached this Haven of rest, you reward your guide, who leaves you to Wander at Will.

PRICE ONE PENNY,

THE NET PROCEEDS OF SALE OF THIS GUIDE WILL BE GIVEN TO THE RELIEF FUND.