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Survivors of Titanic disaster

Survivors of Titanic disaster

27 January 2014

Eight days after the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg the Gazette was able to reveal that the ill-fated vessel had at least

Torpedoes trigger war in Medway

Torpedoes trigger war in Medway

27 January 2014

Fishermen went to war when torpedoes began causing problems in the River Medway more than 140 years ago. And they won.

Archbishop given gift of sturgeon

Archbishop given gift of sturgeon

20 January 2014

A 4ft sturgeon was caught by a fisherman named Hill in the River Medway near Rochester Bridge.

Crinoline calamities

Crinoline calamities

20 January 2014

In today’s world, it’s difficult to imagine anyone wanting to wear something as cumbersome as a crinoline as part of their everyday wardrobe.

Defending against iron ships

Defending against iron ships

20 January 2014

A gun emplacement for the defence of the Thames and Medway at Garrison Point, Sheerness, was nearing completion.

Eight sailors die in pinnacle disaster

Eight sailors die in pinnacle disaster

20 January 2014

A gale was raging as the 14 men, known as bluejackets because of their uniforms, clambered aboard the pinnacle which was to take them ashore.

Entire family die in Christmas Day disaster

Entire family die in Christmas Day disaster

20 January 2014

With Christmas just a few days away, a wooden merchant ship, left London with 22 passengers and a crew of 34

Gruesome discovery under church

Gruesome discovery under church

20 January 2014

The gruesome discovery of a pit “filled to within inches of the top” with human remains was made in a church.

Kent weathers storms and tornado

Kent weathers storms and tornado

20 January 2014

Our fascination for the weather was as strong then as it is now and the papers regularly told stories of storms, floods, blizzards, heatwaves and drou

Proving candles and gas just do not mix

Proving candles and gas just do not mix

20 January 2014

A woman lodger woke up in the middle of the night and could smell gas coming from the parlour of her home in Maidstone.

Scientific breakthrough to remove pain

Scientific breakthrough to remove pain

20 January 2014

Victorians who dreaded having a tooth out could pop along to dentist Albert Anderson who had a scientific breakthrough to help.

Sunday pub opening illegal

Sunday pub opening illegal

20 January 2014

Sunday opening for pubs was against the law – but nevertheless seemed popular.

Whatever ails you just keep taking the pills

Whatever ails you just keep taking the pills

20 January 2014

Watch television. Read a magazine, comic or newspaper. Catch a bus or train. Go on the internet. Walk along a street. Big or small, garish or gorgeous

Traction engines on a roll

Traction engines on a roll

13 January 2014

The testing of traction engines and road rollers that were being built in Medway was a great spectacle for the public.

Charles Dickens escapes crash

Charles Dickens escapes crash

16 December 2013

Foreman Henry Benge had done this kind of repair job many times before in his 10 years with the railway.

Death of Queen Victoria

Death of Queen Victoria

16 December 2013

When Queen Victoria died on January 22 1901 at the age of 81 the nation, and much of the Empire, was plunged into gloom.

Goodwin Sands scheme

Goodwin Sands scheme

16 December 2013

More than 150-years ago someone dreamt up a Boris Island-style idea to make safe one of the great perils of England – the Goodwin Sands.

More Bank Holidays

More Bank Holidays

16 December 2013

Until 1871 the hard-working citizens of England were entitled to a mere two days off each year – Christmas Day and Good Friday.

New telephone invention

New telephone invention

16 December 2013

Although it was March, the sound of “Auld Lang Syne” played on a violin could be heard from a few streets away.

Shakespeare in Maidstone

Shakespeare in Maidstone

16 December 2013

Did the townspeople of Maidstone have the chance to see William Shakespeare on stage in 1588?

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