Memorials of Shrewsbury: being a concise description of the town and its environs, adapted as a general guide for the information of visitors and residentsPidgeon, Henry
Science
Memorials of Shrewsbury: being a concise description of the town and its environs, adapted as a general guide for the information of visitors and residents
Pidgeon, Henry
Shrewsbury (England) -- Guidebooks
comprise five separate districts, viz. Coton Hill, Castle Foregate,
Frankwell, Abbey Foregate, and Coleham, containing a population equal to
that within the walls.
In noticing these, it is purposed to commence where our walk terminated
without the walls, viz. the Castle Gates, from whence the Castle Foregate
and Coton Hill diverge. Taking the latter thoroughfare, to the left we
enter Chester Street, into which a new line of road is opened,
communicating with Mardol, and carried over the ancient fosse and through
a portion of the wall erected by Robert de Belesme. A few yards further
are
THE WATER WORKS,
which supply every house in the remotest part of the town with water for
domestic purposes, being raised from the river by means of a steam
engine, capable of throwing up 22,000 gallons in the hour. The Company
was established under an act of parliament in 1830. {186}
Nearly opposite are
THE ROYAL BATHS,
[Picture: The Royal Baths, Coton-hill]
affording conveniences equal to any which are to be found in the
first-rate establishments of this kind in the kingdom, while the moderate
terms and strict attention to cleanliness and comfort will, no doubt,
ensure to them the patronage and support of the public. Hot air, vapour,
shower, warm, salt, medicated, and fresh water baths are in constant
readiness, and the pleasure bath is of sufficient dimensions to enable
persons to learn the art of swimming.
The building is of a chaste design, the front being ornamented with a
portico, supported by two Ionic pillars and two pilasters.
From the road, winding on the banks of the river, an imposing view of the
town may be obtained, with a considerable portion of the walls by which
it was formerly encompassed. A bold clump of trees on the right denotes
BENBOW HOUSE,
where the gallant Admiral Benbow was born in 1650, whose distinguished
deeds in arms have rendered him an honour to our town and country. This
brave sailor not only stood against the enemy in the memorable action off
Carthagena, in August, 1702, until every hold was gone, but had to
encounter the unparalleled treachery of those under his command. The
operation of amputating his leg, which was shattered by a chain-shot in
the late engagement, added to the deep mental anxiety occasioned by the
base conduct of his captains, brought on a fever which terminated his
career of glory November 4th, in the same year, universally lamented.
His remains received the rites of sepulture in Kingston church, Jamaica.
{187}
In the year 1828, a subscription was commenced in this town for the
purpose of erecting some memorial in St. Mary’s church (the parish in
which he was born) commemorative of this distinguished Salopian, towards
which our no less courageous townsman, Admiral Sir Edward Owen, K.C.B.
with that frankness and honourable feeling so characteristic of the true
British sailor, munificently contributed.
We now arrive at
COTON HILL,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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