1855, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk

Lowestoft chapter, page 554

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The fishing boats lie generally alongside the north and east piers. Upwards of 3000 feet of excellent wharfage, with powerful cranes and extensive ranges of warehouses, graneries, &c., have been provided.

The old or inner harbour is connected with the outer by a lock of 30 feet wide, and is about two miles in length, comprising all the salt water portion of Lake Lothing, as already noticed.

A powerful bucket dredging machine, of 200 tons burden, and 20 horse power, is employed in cleansing and deepening the harbour, and is capable of raising 1000 tons per day ouf of 20 feet depth of water.

In immediate connection with the harbour, an extensive range of cattle stabling has been built for the accommodation of the large and numerous cargoes of foreigh cattle now imported here from Denmark.

The company have also erected a Custom House and other official buildings; a large ice house, and a wholesale fish market. The depots, and timber, coal and stone yards, &c, on both sides of the large inner harbour, have been considerably extended during the last few years; and here are now extensive coke ovens for supplying the Eastern Counties and Norfolk Railway engines with fuel.

Lowestoft Railway was opened in June, 1847, and since then the population and trade of the town has rapidly increased; improvements have been made in all directions, and men of enterprise and capital have been induced to devote their energies and resources to advance its interests. A large new Railway Station is not erecting by Messrs. Lucas Brothers, the contractors, who are about to erect a handsome Crescent in South Lowestoft, and near it a Mechanics Institution and "Sailor's Home".

In 1845, the total number of vessels that entered the port, was only 410, of the aggregate tonnage of 21,730 tons; and of these vessels only eight were from foreign ports. In 1851, the number of vessles that entered the port was 1636 of the aggregate tonnage of 134,944 tons; and of these 85 were from foreign ports. In 1853, the number of vessels from foreign ports, which discharged cargoes here, amounted to no fewer than 144, of the aggregate burden of 39,100 tons. thirty two of these vessels were laden with timber.

During the last five years Lowestoft has enjoyed a considerable and increasing trade in the importation of cattle from Denmark, which is now much facilitated by three large and handsome steam ships, which belong to the North of Europe Steam Navigation Co., and run weekly between Lowestoft and Denmark. Each of these three steamers is from 600 to 700 tons burden, and from 200 to 300 horse power. They are fitted up for passengers as well as cattle and goods, and generally leave Lowestoft for Tonning, in Denmark, every Saturday, from April to December.

In 1853, they brought to Lowestoft 14,998 oxen, 10,886 sheep, 89 horses, 63 pigs, 1370 casks of butter, 300 barrels of beef and pork, 1100 quarters of grain, 115,000 cheeses, 5000 bundles of osiers, 500 sacks of potatoes, and 12 calves; most of which were forwarded by railway to London.

The number of foreign vessels and their amount of tonnage which cleared outward with cargoes from Lowestoft, were 20 vessels and 7940 tons in 1852 and 41 vessels and 13,783 tons in 1853.

On April 6th, 1852, Lowestoft was made a Port, independent of Yarmouth, to which it had previously been an out station; and in the following year it was made a bonding port.

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