1855, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk
Lowestoft chapter, page 552
From the dryness of the soil and the absence of all damps and noxious vapours arising from low marshes, the air of Lowestoft is highly salubrious, as is evident from the general longevity of its inhabitants.
In the adjacent country are many delightful walks and drives; and at the junction of the old and new parts of the town the Norwich and Lowestoft Navigation enters the ocean by a short cut from Lake Lothing, and opens a communication for sea-borne vessels to Norwich and Beccles.
The Act of Parliament for making this navigation was obtained in 1827 by a company of shareholders chiefly merchants and manufacturers of Norwich, desirous of making that city a port for sea-borne vessles instead of having its merchandise conveyed in small craft to and from Yarmouth.
The work was commenced in the same year, and was finished September 30th, 1833, at the cost of about £87,000. The proprietors obtained another act of parliament in 1832. This navigation pursues the deepened channel of the river Yare form Norwich to Reedham, whence by a cut about 2 1/2 miles in length, it is carried across the marshes to the river Waveney, along which it pass to Oulton Dyke, whence by another artificial cut of about two miles, it enters the western division of Lake Lothing, commonly called Oulton Broad, as noticed at page 530.
This lake is about three miles in length, extending eastward to within a little more than a mile of Lowestoft, and now communicating with the ocean by a deep channel cut through the sea bank, and terminating in a lock 400 feet long and 50 broad, crossed by a handsome swing-bridge, of cast iron.
At Mutford Bridge, an embankment and another lock divide Lake Lothing into two nearly equal parts; the Oulton side containing fresh water, and the Lowestoft side salt water, and forming a spacious harbour of the average depth of 15 to 20 feet.
The fresh water protion is commonly called Oulton Broad, and upon it several Regattas, or water follies and boat races, are held every summer. They are numourously attended, and enlivened by bands of music, and a gay display of highly decorated pleasure barges.
The lake abounds with all common species of the finny tribe, and parties may at all times procure boats at the Wherry Inn, Mutford Bridge, either for fresh or salt water angling, or for pleasure.
The sea having receded considerably from the north end of the town, has left a broad tract between the sands and the cliffs called the denes, extending northward to Corton, and forming a pleasing ride and promenade, affording many botanical specimens, and in some places good pasturage for cattle; but those parts near the town and often covered with the nets and other tackle of the fishermen spread out for the purpose of being dried or repaired.
Lowestoft Regatta, held on the ocean opposite the town and the piers every summer, is a gay and splendid holiday, in which several prizes from 20 to 100 guineas each are competed for by first-class yachts, clipper-schooners, cutters, yawls, &c. from all parts. These prizes are raised by the subscriptions of the tradesmen and gentry of the town, who liberally contribute to all improvements and amusements that may tend to the comfort and pleasure of the thousands of visitors who throng here in the summer; and that may maintain Lowestof in the high position to which it has risen as a fashionable watering place.
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