200 Years Ago in Norwich : Packet Boat Trip to Rotterdam
I rather liked this advertisement from the Norwich Mercury 200 years ago this month.
“It having been intimated that a Trip over to the Dutch Coast, the ensuing Summer, would be very desirable, the Directors beg leave to inform the Friends to this Establishment, that on Saturday, the 18th of June, at Six o’clock in the Evening, the LOWTHER will leave Yarmouth for Rotterdam, where she will arrive early the following Morning, and will return on the 25th, at the same hour. The Packet will be solely fitted up for Passengers. The After-Cabins will be entirely appropriated for Ladies, and the Fore-Cabin and Holds will be fitted up for Gentlemen, and every arrangement will be made to secure a pleasant passage
Fare to Rotterdam and back …. £2. 2s.
As a limited number can only be accommodated, all desirous of going will apply for Births as soon as possible to Messrs. Boardman and Harmer, Norwich; Mr. William Borrett, Yarmouth; or to Mr. Richard Clay, at the Company’s Office, Selby.”
Although this packet ship most likely usually carried cargo, I liked that there was an element of this being entirely a passenger trip where people could see Rotterdam. In today’s money that’s about £150 return so not unreasonable, although it’s somewhat cheaper and quicker to fly 200 years later. I’d rather like to know who went on this trip, was it tourists wanting to see the Netherlands, was it business people or was it the idle rich?
