Cholera Outbreak in Bridgwater in 1849

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.  It affects both adults and children. Most people infected with the bacterium do not have any symptoms but the bacteria are present in their faeces for up to 10 days after infection, potentially infecting other people.  A minority of people who are infected develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if left untreated.  

Cholera was common in Asia and reached Europe in 1829. The first death from cholera in England was in Sunderland in October 1831.  There were outbreaks in many other towns and cities in Scotland and England in the following months until the end of 1832. 

There was a second epidemic of cholera in Britain, which started in Edinburgh in 1848 and lasted until the end of 1849, by which time it had killed more than 53,000 people in England and Wales. There was third epidemic of cholera in Britain 1853-54 and smaller outbreaks in 1865 and 1893.

In 1849 a cholera outbreak in Bridgwater killed more than 200 people. 88 of the dead lived in the Eastover area of the town and they were buried in a mass grave in the graveyard of the church of St John the Baptist. The site of the grave is marked by an original (now broken and almost illegible) headstone and a modern replacement.  The wording is as follows:

In Memory of the decease of 88 persons from cholera, 1849.                                                    From plague, pestilence and sudden death, Good Lord deliver us.

Original headstone

Replacement headstone

Combwich and Bridgwater Buoys

A pair of restored 19th century buoys are on display at Combwich Wharf and Bridgwater Docks. 

The plaque on the buoy at Combwich Wharf says this:

"This buoy, one of only a few remaining examples, was constructed in Carvers Boatyard, Bridgwater in about 1860 for use in the Bristol Channel.  The original oak timbers were nearly 4 inches thick and some of these are still intact in this buoy.  

When in use the buoy would have been the other way up and anchored to the sea bed with a light and bell attached to the flat topside.

This buoy was previously sited at Harbour Garage with its pair, now at Bridgwater Docks and was given to the village by Mr Colin Wilkins, who bought the site.

This restoration and resiting was carried out with the help of Nuclear Electric PLC at Hinkley Point and the base was provided by Combwich Cruising Club.

This project was organised by Otterhampton Parish Council August 1991.                      

Further refurbishment sponsored by Otterhampton Parish Council completed in 2016 by Burnham Marine and Combwich Motor Boat and Sailing Club."

The plaque on the Bridgwater Buoy says this:

"The Bridgwater Buoy was refurbished in 2017 with the support of local people, organisations and companies led by Patricia Robinson.  The bricks on which it sits originated from the old Workhouse."

Combwich Buoy

Plaque on Combwich Buoy

Bridgwater Buoy

Plaque on Bridgwater Buoy