Why Were Victorian Beach Holidays So Deadly? | Hidden History | Absolute History

The popular Georgian "Health Retreat" on the Brighton seaside was blooming into a full-blown resort town in the Victorian era. Millions flocked to this small coastal village every year seeking fresh sea air. But "Dr. Brighton" was secretly serving up heavy doses of cholera, typhoid, and venereal disease.
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[@isabelmelo3327]

"Why Were Victorian Beach Holidays So Deadly?" I wonder if there was anything about victorian era that wasn't "so deadly"

[@philipibaugh2925]

I think it's a title used to attract people who maybe aren't interested in history as much as hearing about disaster. It could just say Victorian beaches and I'd watch but most need more to grab attention. I could be wrong

[@pjaybasmaignee]

@@philipibaugh2925 I think you hit the nail on the head.

[@leslietonn3181]

There's no Era in history that isn't without death.

[@lindsey9728]

There's a pretty good chance future people will look at our time period and think the same thing about our apathy towards micro plastics.

[@indiosveritas]

They did not attempt to make little boys into little girls and visa versa ( such as presently the case ).

[@conclavecabal.h0rriphic]

I love they tracked down someone that actually has lived long enough to remember it themselves. That 102 year old gentleman was as quick as any 35 year old. Absolutely amazing

[@eddiesroom1868]

0:19 M&Ms

[@ashleelarsen7765]

@@eddiesroom1868 thanks mom!

[@karenbrown4524]

And so very dapperly dressed and handsomely groomed, of course, as well.

[@mrsbluesky8415]

He was a joy to watch for sure. And a nice fashion sense.

[@ashleelarsen7765]

@@mrsbluesky8415 fun

[@lisasternenkind6467]

10:00 What a good looking 102 year old man! He looks younger than most men, who are good 30 years younger than him. And he is still mentally so young. Wonderful!

[@ingridakerblom7577]

It's often like thatz if they reach 100 y they are often clear in ther mind & indipendent, they often have the "go with the flow" mentality, little things just don't upset you when you been around for so long. I work i elderly care.. It's wierd to go from a 103 y old lady, so fast on her feet that us staff have a hard time keeping up with her.. to a 60 something, with multiple severe conditions, barely able to move.. I've had a few 100+ y old clients, they are similar in many ways

[@WhatsCookingTime]

He's probably continue to exercise and keep himself busy long after conventional retirement age that's usually the case with all of these men and women

[@lorrie9462]

Every time I see something about the Victorian era, the word deadly is attached to it

[@einwurm]

Or lethal.

[@chiquitabanana2272]

i think because a lot of todays tech was invented in this era, the victorians was the test dummies so we could be some what safer today 🤷🏾‍♀️ gotta admit they were both smart and incredibly stupid lol

[@willmfrank]

@@chiquitabanana2272 "From the evidence, I believe his wisdom must walk hand in hand with his idiocy..." -- Dr. Zaius, "Planet of the Apes"

[@chiquitabanana2272]

@@willmfrank bout sums it up 👏

[@willmfrank]

@@chiquitabanana2272 Every time I see the words "Victorian" and "Deadly" together, I think "Yay! Susannah's back!" Not saying I'm disappointed with this one, but... I did kinda sorta say "Oh. Who's this guy?"

[@UntappedShesources]

102 year old gentleman was sharp and looked so young for 102! Cheers to him!!

[@takeohtyme]

"why do you go in this very cold water?" "STICK!" I laughed so hard I had to pause.

[@ingridakerblom7577]

My dad is a veteran "winterbather" he gos & swims in the sea every day of the whole year. We live in Finland, so maybe 3momths out off a year, the water is not freezing.. but he dislikes it when it's a nice temp, it's better when there is an ice sheet to him..

[@c.s.7266]

I can't imagine how cold it would be but I understand that many people ice-bathe..

[@bingbingbaobei]

My Finnish aunt use to bring us for ice baths in Maine. I have fond memories of it.

[@sacrilegioussasquatch]

@@c.s.7266 saunas make it fun. You have to cut a hole in the ice sometimes tho

[@audreymuzingo933]

I've been to one really crowded beach (Mediterranean Sea, Italy) and for the life of me I can't understand how anyone could enjoy it. All the magic of the waves and sand is completely erased by having people so close to you on all sides that you could almost touch them, and have to listen to their conversations, arguments, whining kids, etc. I couldn't wait to leave; even the boring hotel room was better than that.

[@LathropLdST]

Sorry, but that is on you. There are beaches in Italy that you can actually enjoy, if you only researched enough. I hate the most prominent places and found several cheaper, hidden jewels just by the simple act of doing my research.

[@classyalien9722]

It depends, if you go to a more tourist prone area or to a "famous" beach then yeah it can get pretty crowded especially in August. I don't really mind it tho i think it's part of the experience 🤣 I'm from Southern Italy.

[@audreymuzingo933]

@@LathropLdST I'm sure you're right about about better beaches in Italy, but in this case it wasn't on me; I was the guest of someone else who was making all the decisions.

[@joydixon3440]

It's not just Italy it's all over the world at any resort, if you don't want to be around all those people and get sick from the crowd.🧏🤒 Yes your right you don't have a choice if you're a guest. But if you have a choice research google and KZbin and pick a beautiful beach with very few people but it has more things/ activity to do. 🏖️🧳🏄🏊🤿🩱🩳🌃🌭🍾🥂🍹

[@n.p.5810]

In my 28 years of life never habe i Met someone with same opinion . Nightmare for me and i will never understand people

[@tuomasronnberg5244]

I like how articulate the old people they interviewed were. Each word is pronounced clearly and with deliberation!

[@patconstantinou1846]

All school children had to read aloud on an everyday basis from about 8 - 11 years old, if my memory serves me, and woe betide us if we mispronounced a word, gabbled or mumbled. I don't think that happens today, more's the pity.

[@jonc4403]

@@patconstantinou1846 So it was essentially tortured into them as children. How sad.

[@patconstantinou1846]

@@jonc4403 Not at all. The teachers were dedicated to helping children reach a modicum of reasonable speech because the world was so class divided in those days that no matter how bright the child, doors remained closed to them the minute they opened their mouths, such was snobbery then. Subsequent generations benefitted from this as this upward mobility, however slow, allowed for more opportunities for all. Don't deride attitudes from which you have probably benefitted. It is very short-sighted.

[@roselee4445]

@@jonc4403 well, depends upon teacher and how she presents it

[@WhatsCookingTime]

Up until probably 20 or 30 years ago we were all taught that we were judged on how we spoke people would talk to speak properly in schools and to conduct themselves a certain way

[@arianaink100]

I remember watching a video on William Morris wallpaper where people escaped to the beach to be able to breathe air free of arsenic

[@GOGOSLIFE]

That gentleman brought back a fond memory of my grandmother, in those days. When I was a kid, I asked her why she didn't go swimming with me(at my great uncles cottage), and she always said, she wore the knees out of her bathing suit, and didn't have another one. gramma had a lot of funny stories RIP gramma and grampa, I miss you. Peace

[@possiblychey]

It’s so wonderful that you were able to feel a piece of your grandmother after she’s passed. I’m truly sorry for your loss, but I’m glad you can relive those happy memories and keep her spirit alive.

[@amberblack6908]

I think my favorite part is when the little girl looks super disgusted that 'Boris' was stabbed. Lol. 😆 I think modern kids probably don't get that sort of humor.

[@jax211]

I never realized that piers were such a big deal? I grew up in Brooklyn NY. The coney Island pier is still standing. I was there daily. It was free it's also not beautiful anymore. But nothing is in coney Island. Their hay day was the victorian era by far.. then there are the piers in Manhattan.. just tons of them. And in NJ shore.. I guess I took it for granted. I simply had no idea it was a big deal!

[@lehewitt]

This is a ridiculous come-on title for a piece that had very little “deadliness” in it and was instead a nice historical review of the history of beach-going in Britain.

[@willmfrank]

I was expecting an episode of Susannah Lipscombe's series "Hidden Killers."

[@DragonsAndDragons777]

@@willmfrank She is a great show host!

[@willmfrank]

@@DragonsAndDragons777 Absolutely!

[@lynnflynn5591]

I agree. Unfortunately, this channel often uses misleading titles. Sensationalism. The real topic of this program was much more interesting than the title. 👏

[@jameshaury2716]

They did not need to lie. This was interesting stuff.

[@Exodus26.13Pi]

That was a long introduction. I thought it was the Superbowl.

[@tamarrajames3590]

This was enjoyable and informative. I do wish they would consider restoring the pier as it once was.🖤🇨🇦

[@AbsoluteHistory]

I hope so too!

[@jessknuteson7633]

The ice cold water is very similar to the cryogenic booth. Also you’ll find athletes take “ice baths” to help rejuvenate their bodies after working out as well as after their games.

[@CartoonHistory]

ahhh cholera and the victorians - a genuine love affair

[@keving1318]

I remember going onto the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, N.J., USA when I was a child. It was spectacular. I can only imagine what this great pier must have been like.

[@natalie9884]

Wow this doc is so well done. I would have never understood her actions had I not listened and empathized with both parties. Thank you.

[@G_Robb]

Arson is such a terrible thing. Even if a fire is put out the water damage usually finishes destroying a building. Many times the building isn't even the worst loss. Irreplaceable and sentimental items are lost forever. If/when an arsonist is caught I think a 20 year, minimum, prison sentence should be applied. Depending on what was burned or if lives were lost life without parol maximum. Btw, I believe in exceptions to every rule/law. That means if say someone is charged with arson for burning down their collapsing barn cuz it's cheaper than tearing it down, maybe a fine is more appropriate.

[@coffeeNTrees]

The video title is wrong?

[@mommonald224]

Len Goldman looks 75, not 102. He is a human history book.

[@susanfurlong2002]

MY MUM USED TO BE ON BRIGHTON BEACH WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL , AND SHOWED ME A PHOTO! THIS VIDEO WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO ME. MY MUM WENT THERE EVERY YEAR AS SHE LOVED THE MEMORI

[@susanfurlong2002]

........MEMORIES SHE HAD..

[@RoundBaguette]

OKAY WE HEARD YOU

[@susanfurlong2002]

@@RoundBaguette GOOD!

[@angelam3517]

Dear Susan, typing in all upper case letters on the internet means you are shouting.

[@susanfurlong2002]

MAYBE TO YOU, NOT TO ME.......STOP JUDGING WHAT I DO & FOCUS IN ON YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

[@laughoutloud7844]

Thank you for these quality videos.

[@AvalonDreamz]

21:51 I'm sorry I had to laugh! He just sounded so horrified is the most polite way possible!🤣

[@friendlypiranha774]

That was so interesting and enjoyable. Thank you.

[@rogersledz6793]

Thank you so much for uploading this video. It is helping me get through the pandemic!

[@adimeter]

Wonderful history details. Thank you.

[@xxsparrowxx8568]

As an English woman, I find the accents of our elders so lovely. It’s a shame our world has no pride in itself anymore. We are losing so much.

[@653j521]

A lot of people look back with rose-colored glasses.

[@dittohead7044]

Too much immigration

[@Litephaze2000]

This is an extraordinary video/documentary! While I do live in the States, I have deep sentiment for Brighton. This video, the various persons you have interviewed, as well as yourself, really radiate the passion for such a wonderful Seaside location. Good health and special appreciation to the 102 yr-old gentleman! Lastly, the incredible lady that lost her father is undoubtedly a quality human being, that words cannot adequately describe. Thank you for your wonderful work! 💯%

[@colincofield3747]

Boy, l could go to Blackpool right now and eat a 99. No beaches here in Arizona. I miss that so much.

[@Graciesmom-gp5ng]

Love a 99.

[@roselee4445]

99 ?

[@meman6964]

Arizona has plenty of "beach", the trouble is no ocean!! After 19 years on New Mexico, I finally moved to Cocoa Beach... finally water to go with all that sand🌴🌞

[@cynthiahogan4598]

From the Cadbury website: An Ice Cream served in a cone with a Flake 99 is the UK's favourite ice cream. In the days of the monarchy in Italy the King had an elite guard consisting of 99 soldiers. Subsequently anything really special or first class was known as "99".

[@Myriako]

Thank you for this video! 😀💐

[@blondegiraffe2023]

All I could think of when the video was introduced was Lydia in the Pride and Predjudice BBC movie "OOOOOOOO I WANT TO GO TO BRIGHTON!!"

[@silverthread178]

This is such great material and I love every episode, however I think it would get more views if there weren’t so many ads and so much repetition. It’s distracting.

[@spiritualtruthseeker1947]

You may need to install an ad blocker.

[@animeloveer97]

@@spiritualtruthseeker1947 the repetition is the worst part to me i dont wanna watch the same thin g 2x in the same vid yknow

[@dittohead7044]

@@spiritualtruthseeker1947 yes but everyone and everything on YT wants money for stuff. I just can’t

[@phoenixrising573]

EVERYTHING History Hits does ends up being annoying even if they stole good videos in the first place!!

[@caitlintiulenev9156]

The set up for this episode was a rollercoaster!

[@nancyM1313]

Jolly good show, tyvmuch👤 Imagine after a hard day of work you can come here for some leisure💓

[@natalie9884]

Newfound love for this narrator. (New to channel and not from UK)

[@barrydysert2974]

Excellent. Thank you !:-) 💜🙏⚡️

[@sueioannides7739]

A very interesting programme.

[@esmeraldagreen1992]

They should restore it or rebuild it exactly.

[@ophiuchusoversoul1785]

this video has almostt NOTHING to do with the title

[@marcieeaton9006]

Thanks!

[@DragonsAndDragons777]

The man with the stick is so authentically British

[@dibutler9151]

I dislike Boris Johnson, too, but damn. This is pretty awful.

[@ktlipshitz3212]

Yeah, I nearly died from cringing so hard.

[@sarahwatson3192]

I want to bring back the promenade.

[@roselee4445]

And old gentlemen

[@kathrynharker3986]

I live in a resort town year round. I am on the very southern tip of New Jersey...[NO I DON'T LIVE IN WILDWOOD] I said the very southern tip of New Jersey. Cape May which has a massive amount of Victorian homes. The beach is always crowded and loud [so no l don't go to the beach] but there are a multitude of out of the way beaches. However...to get a slice of this one has to walk quite a distance and lug in provisions for the day. Not worth my time or effort. But those who do this love it emensely.

[@urgurljulesl9986]

For some reason I thought this was going to be due to arsenic haha its always arsenic

[@jameshaury2716]

I was overseas after mobilization. Where I was they had a 50 meter indoor pool unheated. After about 2 laps you would warm up. I do not know if the pool was at 9 degrees celsius , we were in the desert but it was definitely cool at the indoor pool. So I guess the men in that swimming club warm up a bit after some time swimming.

[@michaelmcgee8543]

Interesting!

[@natalie9884]

Damn that woman is so strong and intelligent. She is iconic in her healing path

[@dogue7338]

Interesting

[@rdifede89]

I hope I look as good at 80 as this man does at 102 🙌🏻

[@grahamchivrall30]

Sadly no mention of "Daddy Longlegs" the off shore Volks electric railway.

[@gic8849]

Everything in that era was deadly lol

[@tophat3157]

0:11 Why does that sound like something an interrogator says before they get started with a suspect?

[@ktlipshitz3212]

That bit with the Boris Johnson puppet was strange and off-putting. It would have been more fun to see someone recreate a period puppet show that ripped on a Victorian Prime Minister or something. I'm no Boris fan, but stabbing him in front of children? Who came up wit that?

[@cynthiahogan4598]

Pretty funny considering the events of this week! Punch and Judy shows have always been violent!

[@FrogsForBreakfast]

Funny that the narrator associated piers with old people. I associate them with roller coasters and overpriced seafood.

[@ursalaminor8457]

So the art of immersing oneself in beach nature has turned into an expensive industrial indoor high in the sky immersive environment. Sounds like so much that’s happening in U$A. Creating a nation of wealthy indoor fat cats vs. the homeless and the poor who are “forced” into occupying outdoor spots. Loved the narrator.

[@kellyhill1265]

What kind of stupid question is that?!?! How did you feel in the aftermath of your father being killed? REALLY !! That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard asked to someone.

[@meman6964]

"Lovely sunny day", looks overcast and grey to me. 🌴🌞🌴

[@MagdaleneDivine]

I think England has the worst beaches ever. Cold and gray. Wow

[@KyaniMosaic_Crone]

Did anyone else notice the little girl's face during the Stabbing of Boris? On telly or not, that's not going to be a fond childhood memory at the beach.

[@raccoon874]

5:18 what an eyesore

[@mrsbluesky8415]

People dressed so well for being at the beach. I feel we have become slovenly compared to them.

[@mattjack3983]

They look overdressed for being at the beach. I wouldn't want to be that covered up. It looks hot and uncomfortable

[@poorthing]

Ha...they look quite elegant but.... Give me a modern bathing suit or shorts and a tee shirt! Especially at a beach

[@roselee4445]

Well , just walk down the street, dress is horrible

[@dittohead7044]

@@roselee4445 And too much of it. It’s tasteless

[@deborahshallin5843]

@@mattjack3983 the clothing wasn’t that hot because of the materials used, such as linen. The color white was important also when used as a reflective versus dark colors which would absorb the heat. Finally, clothing can act as an insulator against the heat and sun.

[@vitsirosh3722]

Next how Victorian lovemaking was deadly

[@michaelklein3148]

Prior to this, my knowledge of British piers was limited to the 1957 Alec Guinness movie, All at Sea.

[@monedameow]

¡Gracias!

[@aydellpen4323]

It's a wonder anyone made it out the Victorian Era alive😆

[@ritaparker478]

This is an interesting video but the title is misleading. The I360 is not a 21st century phenomenon, Vancouver, BC has a similar place that was built in the 70's-80's, Niagara Falls has had same for years as well. Seattle, Wash has had the Space Tower for even longer. Would be so wonderful if they would rebuild that Pier. Have been to the Santa Monica pier, it was a fun experience. Delicious food. I love that they are restoring the Lido. On my list when I go to Britian.

[@msiobhanhiggs]

I would say those towers are different since they use a central elevator up to a spinning platform instead of an entire donut that goes up and down. Though I don't know what the Niagara one is like, just the Vancouver and Seattle ones.

[@roselee4445]

Seattle a dump compared to 70s

[@jasonsummit1885]

As a true rockhound, I'm just loving seeing the rocky beaches there. Wonder what kind of rocks I'd find there? Edit: apparently just flint, that's all they have. But a useful stone it is.👍

[@jameshaury2716]

The Donut is shiny because it's a glazed Donut.

[@laschagga8886]

British people dont seem to look very well after their public places (i am talking about the Lido and the rusty remains of the Promenade) Also the streets behind the beaches dont look so welcoming. If you go to the german seaside resorts on the baltic sea, everything is maticulary looked after with flowerbeds, benches, playgrounds and so on. Is the impression i have wrong?

[@onespiceybbw]

Meticulously or particularly?

[@laschagga8886]

@@onespiceybbw i am not nativ english, lets just say "nicely".

[@dawnemyers8873]

@@laschagga8886 There is always someone correcting our wording or spelling for some reason or other. You just can't make a statement without somebody doing corrections . I think they feel superior to make such rewording ones statement.. always that person waiting to critic .

[@laschagga8886]

@@dawnemyers8873 yes but no real Argument If i am wrong or anything. Its not about superiority, maybe i dont See Something. ;)

[@roselee4445]

@@onespiceybbw I'm sure the corrector changed his words

[@icemeoutlikeelsa]

Victorian times seem like absolute hell

[@roselee4445]

Especially for poor

[@newgabe09]

well at 12.20 its pretty clear that without piers, Brighton beach is bleak. Walking on stones by flat grey water? Blech

[@catvonderahe1836]

And you went down the sewers without a hazmat suit or even a mask where pipes covered in “poo?” 😱

[@ToolGirl616]

Everytime I hear the name of Brighton, I think of Coraline

[@austinquinlan8137]

"the stabbing of boris..... a fantasy" 🤣

[@frenchartantiquesparis424]

I think there are around 80 piers in California alone...

[@arfinjalal4563]

The man in the video is like an older Gordon Ramsey

[@Atoasterinthedesert]

What was deadly about it?

[@poorthing]

Duh...cholera, typhoid, scarlet fever, TB Did you actually watch this?

[@roselee4445]

@@poorthing sewer sores etc etc

[@chocoboasylum]

I don't like that donut they show at the end. Not really the same feeling of strolling across the sea, is it

[@mariek9892]

More piers than any country in the world? I’m pretty sure we have more in California…

[@Blue_Star_Child]

In Victorian times tho?

[@raeableo]

Why don't they rebuild it?

[@gamingwithkev8208]

I'm subbed but get no videos. This is one of my favorite channels by the way so wth?

[@jd-ku3iw]

I wish I could my in-laws to that beach.

[@Alex-cb2gf]

And drop them off?

[@roselee4445]

@@Alex-cb2gf funny

[@roselee4445]

Thise old men swimming, awesome, I don't know how. However, in Torquay they empty raw sewer , be careful

[@rebuilt11]

I love doc. But I can’t watch this at all way too slow.

[@janicevictor7414]

Why aren't they rebuilding it for the next generation?

[@amyaaron7141]

Brits always went on holiday to the shore. There are lots of little colorful changing huts. That's what you did back then.

[@JamieDoer]

"You were not allowed to go bare topped, even men" PLEASE can we go back to this

[@kristinarobinson5277]

Seems odd to me that at the saltine lido the first thing the renovated was the pool. Seems to me you would restore the hotel first, because without the hotel you really are not going to have patrons for the pool, not many people are going to spend money to swim at a pool with a dilapidated building in the background

[@barriewatson]

I was born and lived many years in Brighton in my youth it was a nice town (now city) with not only the seaside also very well looked after lovely parks , now in 2022 Brighton has become the opposite to nice, it is dirty , the parks have nothing to do with what they once were , some how the political elite in Brighton have managed to run Brighton into a unrecognisable hole and money is spent on the woke standing of Brighton and not on Brighton itself.

[@jaybird2791]

We are living the same reality in Boston Massachusetts, the truth is, it points directly to one person in America and his disgusting abandonment of our people and what he's done to our country. Our country will never be the same.

[@tonib.3016]

@@jaybird2791 👋🤖

[@krisharms2537]

Oh God Hahaha humans what a trip It's so sad there's so much bad.

[@orfamayQ]

I mean, it is all very interesting and cute, but is the title mere clickbait? This seems to be mostly about different periods than the Victorian era. Not sure that I want to finish watching it.

[@tomlovejoy2141]

Too bizarre with the host doing a simulating stabbing of Boris Johnson via Punch and Judy for the children. What was he thinking?!???

[@lisapop5219]

I was reading the comments to see if it was just me. I'm not even from England yet thought it was in poor taste

[@jonc4403]

I thought it was absolutely lovely.

[@cynthiahogan4598]

Actually very funny considering the events of this week. Punch and Judy shows have always been inherently violent!

[@hannahmeaker4595]

it also had suitcase murders!

[@masterblaster9123]

Did you see how big that guys nose is 🤣.

[@RWernsing]

I don't see anything about Victorian times?

[@springsogourne]

Click bait title.