1854 - The Arrival of the Railway

It was proposed as early as 1836 to build a branch line from the main London to Norwich main line to Harwich. Nothing however came of it and it was not until 4th August 1854 that the line was completed and the first train arrived in Harwich.

The official opening was on 15th August when a train left Harwich for Manningtree and the first train from London arrived. The Mayor and other distinguished guests boarded the train at Dovercourt, to be greeted at Harwich by a huge crowd. On the decorated platform the band played 'See the conquering hero comes' and the guns at the Redoubt fired a salute.

The first railway station was built at the seaward end of George Street. A railway line ran along the quayside to the Corporation Pier (Ha'penny Pier) so that steamers could be bunkered from coal trucks pulled alongside by horses.

In November, nearly 4000 shareholders of the Eastern Counties Railway came from London in four special trains, each being greeted by a salvo from the Redoubt's guns. A public dinner was held on the new Ha'penny pier, which seemed to be tempting fate considering the time of year!

The Spa

When a spring rich in minerals was discovered in the grounds of Cliff House, the owner John Bagshaw built a spa. It opened in 1854 and incorporated a pump room, reading room and library. Dovercourt was set to rival Brighton and Tunbridge Wells! The Essex Standard of 31st July 1856 reported:

"Visitors to Dovercourt Spa" : The Earl of Stradbroke, the Duke of Wellington, Lord Stanley, Sir Fitzroy Kelly and his friends, with the Honorable William Beresford, came by the Atlanta steamer, specially engaged for the occasion, from Ipswich and left after visiting the town and Spa.

Bagshaw, however, was adjudged bankrupt in 1859 and his estate, including the Spa, was sold off. It was demolished in 1920 by the Corporation.