Donate SIGN UP

Stevenson's Rocket

Avatar Image
pleasehelpme | 17:59 Wed 27th Sep 2006 | History
5 Answers
I read once that when the competition that Stevenson was involved in took place , organisers built fences up around the track because they feared people would die a gory death travelling at such high speeds and the organisers didn't want spectators to see this.
Is there any internet site that verifies this?
Thanks in advance.
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 5 of 5rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by pleasehelpme. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
... and here is Stephenson's Rocket ....
I think you are getting confused with Richard Trevithick's "Catch Me Who Can", which was set up in Euston. As it was a commercial concern, he didn't want anyone to see the new fangled invention without paying their 1/-. See here http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp ?image=10300077&wwwflag=2&imagepos=2
The Rainhill Trials, where Rocket beat, amongst others, Sans Pareil and Novelty, were held on a section of track of the Liverpool - Manchester Railway at (surprise, surprise) Rainhill! As this was an open section of track, I can't imagine (and have certainly never heard) of the track being fenced off. (BTW, its spelt Stephenson)
Pleasehelpme

I seem to recall Adam Hart-Davis mentioning this in one of his "Local Heroes" programmes. Unfortunately, I can't remember enough about it to enlighten you, nor do I know the extent of the veracity of the story. But it's there somewhere in my occipital lobe, if that's of any moral support.
Hi Pleasehelpme

It seems that it might not be true. Accoirding to this site a grandstand was even erected for people to view the contest.

http://www.newcomen.com/excerpts/rainhill/inde x.htm

Bekki
Question Author
thanks for all the responses.

1 to 5 of 5rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Stevenson's Rocket

Answer Question >>

Related Questions

Sorry, we can't find any related questions. Try using the search bar at the top of the page to search for some keywords, or choose a topic and submit your own question.