In the 21st century, we’ve all heard about self-driving cars, but what about driverless coaches – led by horses..? In 1816, by sheer accident, a horse- drawn coach started without its coachman. The horses carried their coach, containing two passengers, three miles before it got into difficulty! Astonishingly, neither the passengers or horses were harmed.
“On Monday afternoon the Peterborough Perseverance Coach stopped, as usual, at the Royal Oak public-house in Walton, and the coachman entrusted his horses to the care of a man who attends to give them water, whilst he and the guard went into the house. From some cause unknown, as the man was adjusting the reins, the horses set off towards Peterboro’, and went at so regular a pace, that the two inside passengers (a lady and a gentleman) were not aware that they were without a coachmam, until they reached Peterboro’, where, in passing the corner of Westgate-street into the Long Causeway, the coach (in consequence of the sharpness of the turn) was upset. The passengers escaped without the least injury, as did also the horses; and we understand that the lady and gentleman do not attribute any blame either to the coachman or guard; indeed, they declared so to one of the proprietors and several other persons at Peterboro’. The distance which the horses drew the coach without a driver is about three miles, and they passed through two toll-bars.”
Stamford Mercury, 13 September, 1816.