Lowestoft, Suffolk, England

Notes:
"LOWESTOFT, a parish, market and seaport town, in the hundred of Mutford, county Suffolk, 10 miles S. of Yarmouth, 39 N.E. of Ipswich, and 113 from London by the turnpike road, or 117 by the Great Eastern railway, which has a branch line to this town. It is situated on the easternmost point of the county, overlooking the German Ocean, and is a packet station, a much-frequented watering-place, and a principal seat of the herring fishery. Until recently the town was little better than an insignificant fishing village. It was anciently called Lothwinstoft and Laystoft, either derived from the name of a Saxon earl who resided here, or from "Low-toft," a market formerly held beneath the cliffs. In 1349 the great plague, which devastated the continent of Europe, raged here with such malignity that not more than one-tenth of the inhabitants escaped the contagion. It suffered much, also, from the plague in 1603, and was nearly destroyed by fire in 1645. In 1665 a naval engagement took place off shore between the English and Dutch fleets, when the latter were defeated. Since the construction of the harbour and the opening of the railway, this place has made rapid advancement, having increased in population from 6,580 in 1851 to 10,663 in 1861. The town is clean, well-paved, thoroughly drained, and lighted with gas. It has a good water supply. The main thoroughfare is above a mile in length, and on the heights are many terraces and villas overlooking the sea. The shore is well adapted for sea-bathing, consisting of sand and shingle of a close, firm nature."

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