The Romans entered this part of Britain when the valleys of
the Yare, Waveney, and Bure, as well as the sand-bank upon which
Yarmouth stands, were covered by the ocean.
Burgh Castle, a Roman encampment, supposed to have been
founded.
Cerdic, a Saxon Prince, and Qenrick his son, with five ships,
entered the port of Yarmouth and named in Cerdic Shore.
This Cerdic Shore seems to have been a great sand-bank formed
along the shore between two branches or channels of the Yare
called Havens, by which two channels the river entered the sea,
one running near Caister and the other near Gorleston.
Between this and the year 640, a Saxon Monastery was founded
at Burgh, by Fursey, an Irish monk.
Lodbrog, the Dane, driven by a sudden tempest from Denmark
across the sea, and, entering the Yare, landed at Reedham, where
the Court of Edmund, King of East Anglia, was then kept.
Lodbrog is said to have been received into Court favour, but was
soon afterwards murdered in a wood by the King’s huntsman
(Bern) through jealousy. This led to the imprisonment and
execution of Edmund, and put an end to the Saxon dynasty in East
Anglia, after Hinguar and Hubba, two Danish chieftains, at the
head of 20,000 men, had ravished all East Anglia.
First houses and habitations erected in Yarmouth on
Fuller’s Hill, that being then the only dry land in
Yarmouth.
Yarmouth belonged to the King in the reign of Edward the
Confessor, and had 70 burgesses, besides a number of
soccagers.
Bishop Herbert born; and in 1091 was consecrated Bishop of
Thetford.
Cocklewater, or Grubb’s Haven, stopped up with sand.
St. Bennet’s Church pulled down. It was built in
the time of Edward the Confessor.
Yarmouth governed by a Provost, the first constituted
magistrate, whose public office was in the Congé,
North Quay. Foreigners were only allowed to come to
Yarmouth at the annual free-fair.
Bishop Herbert de Lozinga, the first Bishop of Norwich
[translated from the See of Thetford in the 7th year of William
II. (Rufus), whose Chamberlain he was], founded St.
Nicholas’ Church, and re-built a Chapel on the North
Denes. He was made Lord High Chancellor to Henry I. of
England in 1104, and died August 11th, 1119.
St. Nicholas’ Church consecrated. Enlarged 1123,
1250, and 1338. The last attempt after 10 years’
labour in trying to build a west aisle, failing, the ruins were
used in the building of a Chapel-of-Ease.
Forty thousand lives lost at sea during the war between King
John and the Barons; a great multitude washed ashore on Yarmouth
beach.
Monastery of Black Friars founded by St. Dominica.
Yarmouth had three galleys or vessels of war. Two were
manned with seven score mariners.
First charter granted by King John, and Yarmouth incorporated
as a borough. The document is still preserved (1834).
All vessels in the port with Scottish property on board were
arrested.
Henry III. granted certain franchises. In 1261 he
granted licenses for fortifying the town; and on Sept. 28th,
1262, granted a Charter for enclosing the town with a wall and
moat, so as to resist the power of an invading enemy. (See
1396.)
The Tolhouse Hall, Middlegate Street, erected.
Yarmouth first called Magna (Great) in the reign of
Edward I., to distinguish it from Little Yarmouth, or
Southtown.
The town wall and fosse commenced at the north end of
town.
St. Mary’s Hospital founded. It was a free Grammar
School in 1551, and fitted up as a school for poor children in
1634.
The Carmelites, or Whitefriars, founded at Yarmouth, and took
the north and some other parts of the town under their
charge. (See 1509.)
King Henry’s Tower erected at the north-east corner of
St. Nicholas’ churchyard.
St. Nicholas’ Church and churchyard consecrated by
Bishop Middleton, of Norwich.
The sea flowed into St. Nicholas’ Church 4 feet deep,
and the town was inundated.
A beautiful ship built at Yarmouth for King Edward II., and
sent to Norway for the King’s daughter, upon her proposed
marriage with the then Prince. She was heiress of Norway
and Scotland.
No one allowed to draw wine after the Curfew bell had
rung.
Yarmouth first summoned to send four Burgesses annually to
Parliament.
Sir J. De Botetourt, a Norfolk Knight, had command of a
Yarmouth fleet of fifty-three vessels. Fresh herrings sold
for 37s. per last.
Simon Blaking, of Martham, fled into St. Nicholas’
Church, and confessed to having broken open a house at Hemsby and
the prison at Southtown, and to having killed W. F. N.
Blaking. The law in those days was, if a murderer could
reach a church or churchyard before being apprehended, and
confessed his crime to a coroner, justice, &c., he was set at
liberty without taking a trial.
William Fastolf and H. Rose, Esqs., returned to Parliament,
held at Lincoln.
Leather was not only used for various military purposes, but
formed a considerable part of the common dress of the people
before the introduction, and during the infancy, of the woollen
manufacture.
Yarmouth claimed a free Borough by the Burgesses.
William Fastolf and H. Rose, Esqs., again returned to
Parliament, held at Nottingham.
Price of pipe (120 gals.) of “red wine,” 20s.
During the reigns of Edward II. and III., Richard II., Henry
IV., V., and VI., and Edward IV., upwards of 160 Burgesses were
returned to Parliament, 72 of which were held at Westminster, 6
at York, 1 at London, Ripon, and New Sarum, and 2 at
Gloucester.
Two Parliaments held, but not represented by the same
Burgesses.
A Castle stood on the site of the King Street Independent
Chapel, but was demolished in 1621.
Great disputes between the Barons of the Cinque Ports and the
Bailiffs of this Borough, concerning the free fair which
the former attempted to remove.
Burgesses exempted from serving on Juries, Inquests, or at
Assizes, within the Borough.
Blackfriars’ Tower completed.
Forty ships of war ordered to Yarmouth roads.
The Yarmouth navy, comprising 20 men-of-war, had orders to
proceed to the port of Dort, to convoy the King’s four
plenipotentiaries to the Court of Hainault from those parts to
England. On their return they took two Flemish ships and
their cargoes. The Bishop of Glasgow, who was on board one,
died of his wounds at Sandwich.
Thomas De Drayton, a Yarmouth man, who had held the office of
bailiff fifteen times, was appointed Admiral of the North
Fleet.
Yarmouth magistrates, &c., fitted out a fleet of
men-of-war, well equipped, at their own cost and charge, to go
against the enemy at sea for the space of a month.
John Perebrown, a burgess of Yarmouth, led the King’s
North Sea Fleet in the great battle of Sluys, and did great
service; 230 ships and 30,000 Frenchmen were lost.
Oct. Edward III. embarked on board the Yarmouth squadron
in his unsuccessful expedition to Brittany.
The principal inhabitants fined 1000 marks for committing
trespasses, &c., on the sea coast.
The first Haven cut.
Yarmouth assisted Edward III. at the siege of Calais with 43
vessels of war and 1,075 mariners, which was 18 ships more than
London sent, and more than any other port, except Fowey.
Plague carried off 7,052 persons out of the then population of
10,000.
Yarmouth gave to the St. George’s College of Windsor by
charter, a last of red herrings, to be delivered annually for
ever on St. Andrew’s day, concerning which many disputes
have since arisen.
Passenger boat from Yarmouth to Norwich sunk near Cantley, and
38 persons drowned.
Fastolf, father of the renowned Sir John Fastolf, one of the
bailiffs.
Six Yarmouth vessels captured and burnt in the Bay of
Brittany.
John Lawers hung for not paying the Custom House dues.
Yarmouth first appointed a staple port.
August 22nd. Kirkley Road united to the town and port of
Yarmouth by charter of Edward III., but repealed four years
afterwards.
Price of coal, including freight, 5s. 6d. per chaldron.
The memorable rebellion of Wat Taylor. The town attacked
by 20,000 rebel archers or bowmen, who plundered houses and did
much damage, but who were defeated after much bloodshed.
June 20th. Violent shock of an earthquake, and much
damage done.
June. King Richard II. visited Great Yarmouth.
Market Place paved, and a Cross and Pillory built.
William Bardolf, Baron Bardolf, died. He had large
estates near Yarmouth.
Sir Henry Percy and Fauset Percy sent to Yarmouth with 300
men-at-arms and 600 archers, to guard the coast, an invasion from
France being apprehended.
A Horse Ferry at Gorleston existed.
The second Haven made, and a third in 1408.
Several small Yarmouth and other ships taken by Danish pirates
in a sharp conflict off the coast. Lost £20,000 in
specie.
After a lapse of 111 years the fortifications of the town were
completed—20 towers, 10 gates, and the wall, 2,280 yards in
extent. (See 1544.)
Coals first imported here from Newcastle. Wood was used
as fuel before this.
Henry IV. granted, by the consent of Parliament, that the
shipping, weighing, and packing of wool, hides, and skins, should
be done at Yarmouth, it being a frontier town.
Third Haven cut.
The annual election of four Bailiffs, reduced to two, and so
continued until a Mayor was appointed in their stead.
Yarmouth Bridge, with 8 arches, built, before which a horse,
cart, cattle, and foot ferry-boat existed. This was
replaced by 4 successive drawbridges, i.e., 1553, 1570, 1785, and
1836. (See 1849.)
About 60 pilgrims sailed from Yarmouth in the ship
“Falcon,” for the shrine at Santiago, in Spain; and
in 1434, 20 more left.
The freedom of the Borough purchased for two marks.
Ralph Wadiswyke was made Comptroller of the Customs for taking
Lord Doisemond, a French lieutenant, prisoner.
Caister Castle supposed to have been founded by Sir John
Fastolf, K.G. He was born in 1377, and died in 1459 in his
Hall at Caister, aged 82 years, and was buried in the Abbey
Church of St. Bennet, at Holme, leaving his estate to John
Paston, Esq.
July 24th. Lord Lieutenants of Counties first
appointed.
Sacred Dramas and Mysteries performed in St. Nicholas’
Church.
John Pedle, labourer, of Yarmouth, executed for coining and
uttering 18 groats, made of copper and lead, as good and lawful
money of England.
Our Lady’s organ in St. Nicholas’ Church built;
the old and new organs in 1485; great old organs in 1486; and
Jesus’ organ in 1550.
John Paston died in the Fleet Prison, after the seizure of his
estates.
Fourteen persons hanged at one time upon a gallows erected on
the beach.
The Duke of Norfolk, at the head of 3,000 men, laid siege to
Caister Castle, which was surrendered to his Grace. He died
in 1475, and Caister Castle again reverted to the Paston
family.
Yarmouth threatened by the French fleet. 200 armed men
sent from Norwich.
A whale came ashore south of Grubb’s Haven, which was
cut to pieces and carried away in carts.
The Bailiffs feasted Sir John Paston, son of the late John
Paston, on porpoise, then a royal fish.
May 16th. By charter of Henry VII., Burgesses were
empowered to constitute Justices of the Peace.
The fourth Haven made; and the fifth Haven cut in the reign of
Henry VIII., 1529.
House of Carmelites, or White Friars, destroyed by fire;
founded in Edward I.’s time, 1278.
Southtown united with Gorleston.
Queen of France and her husband, Charles Brandon, Duke of
Suffolk, entertained here three days.
Church of the Dominicans burnt down.
Great dearth of corn. The extravagant sale price then
was 26s. 8d. per quarter. Several men were hanged for
taking part in a riot arising from the same.
Gorleston began to be built upon. (See 1511.)
The first Yarmouth crane erected by Richard Bishop.
Duke of Suffolk suppressed a riot arising from the dearness of
corn.
Nov. 1st. Tumult in St. Nicholas’ Church;
twenty-four persons, with William Swarton, the chaplain, at their
head, disturbed the congregation while the Rev. D. R. Cotton was
preaching.
The high altar of St. Nicholas’ Church, remarkable for
its richness and beauty, with the saints’ figures and
pictures, broken and destroyed.
Oct. 28th. Four merchant heretics entered St.
Nicholas’ Church, and created a great disturbance during
the service.
Nov. 2nd. A merchant and shoemaker were fined 2s. each
for bargaining and selling a last of white herring in the
Church.
Sir Humphrey Wingfield returned to Parliament, held at
Westminster.
Ordered that Aldermen should wear scarlet gowns, with fur
tippets and straight hose, at assemblies and festivals.
Height of town wall, 23 feet. On war being declared the
following year with France, a large rampire was thrown up on the
eastern side, and afterwards extended along the north and south
walls. (See 1396.)
Sir H. Wingfield again returned to Parliament.
At Corporate meetings no member allowed to depart without
leave of the Bailiffs; otherwise was fined for disorderly
conduct. Members of the Corporation compelled to wear
scarlet gowns and straight hose, under penalty of fines.
Two French ships and 120 prisoners taken by the town.
A house for country butchers built.
The sixth Haven made. It was agreed that the money,
plate, ornaments, robes, vestments, tunicles, albs, ameffes,
belonging to St. Nicholas’ Church, should be disposed of,
together with the bells in the steeple and other property in the
Church, and the proceeds (£1,816 9s. 7d.) devoted to its
construction. The Haven was then commenced, 100 men being
employed daily upon it.
A rebellion in the town. Kett’s adherents advanced
and destroyed all the materials for the Haven, and laid it in
ruins; and the work of the Harbour was stopped till the following
year. The next attempt also proved as unsuccessful.
Another report says—The Norfolk rebellion, under Kett, the
tanner, commenced; but their designs were frustrated by Yarmouth
men, who, setting fire to a stack of hay on the west side of the
Haven, were able to attack the enemy unseen, and defeated them,
many insurgents being killed, 80 taken prisoners, and six pieces
of ordnance secured. They were afterwards defeated by the
Earl of Warwick at head-quarters in Norwich, and lost some 4,500
men; their leaders, William and Robert Kett, being suspended
alive in chains on a gibbet.
Another great Plague. (See 1349.)
The Castle used as a Borough Gaol. During subsequent
periods of alarm, it was again repaired. The upper part of
it was taken down in 1620, and the following year the whole
fabric was ordered to be dismantled and demolished.
Many of the brasses enclosing the inscriptions on the walls of
St. Nicholas’ Church sent to London to be cast into weights
and measures for the town’s use.
John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, K.G., High Steward of the
Borough.
A Grammar and Free School in existence in Yarmouth, the
“Parson of Haddiscoe” being appointed for a quarter
of a year on trial. He was succeeded the same year by an
“expert man;” and it was agreed that each of the
four-and-twenties (Aldermen) should pay towards his living 18d.,
and each of the eight-and-forties (Common Councilmen) 8d. a-year
over the stipends, upon the well-doing of the schoolmaster.
From 1551 till 1757, twenty-eight gentlemen were appointed to the
Mastership. In 1757 the school appears to have been closed,
for we find the master quitting possession and resigning his
office; and on Feb. 5th, 1773, the chamberlains were directed to
do necessary repairs, and to let the school to Mr. Richard Eaton,
the younger, for £4 a-year. The school was
re-established in 1863.
Sir W. Wodehouse, Knt., and N. Frymage, Esq., returned to
Parliament. Every inhabitant found smoking tobacco or
overcome with drink in any tippling-house was apprehended.
Oct. 1st. Robert Eyre and Simon More were chosen
Burgesses of the Parliament.
Drawbridge erected to connect Southtown with Great Yarmouth,
in place of the one built in 1427, but which was carried away in
1570 by the tide.
Beer sold at 3s. 4d. per thirty-two gallons.
This year and two following, six Aldermen were returned to
Parliament.
Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, High Steward of the
Borough.
Fifty vessels wrecked off Yarmouth within 24 hours.
A fire beacon placed on the top of the Castle, as the Haven
was very dangerous.
No brewer allowed to brew in the town unless by the
appointment of the Bailiffs.
Another
attempt to form a Haven, a ship being sunk at the mouth to stem
the tide. But this project was abandoned the following
year, and it was stopped up with furze bundles in 1557.
The Hermitage on the west side of the Haven given to the
town.
Dec. 1st. The town inundated. Men rowed up and
down the streets in boats, and several ships were drawn over the
Denes with windlasses.
The ground on the south side of Town Hall was, in the time of
Queen Elizabeth, called “The South Foreland,” or
“Furlong’s End.” In 1568 the houses there
standing were given by William Garton to the churchwardens for
the use of the Church. In 1622 they were repaired, and in
1674 rebuilt. John Fastolf, the father of Sir John Fastolf,
of Caister Castle, had a house in the “Foreland,” but
whereabouts cannot now be discovered. These houses were
re-fronted by the present owner in 1866.
Sir T. Wodehouse, Knt., and William Barker, Esq., returned to
Parliament.
The Market Cross repaired.
May 26th. Queen Elizabeth granted a Charter for the
better security, defence, and protection of the town.
Jan. 8th. The present (seventh) Haven commenced.
Joyce Johnson, the eminent Dutch engineer, who superintended the
construction, was paid 4s. a day. This Haven was cut near
the spot of the one made in 1529. Nearly 1,000 persons,
including women and children, were employed about the works,
which were completed on March 4th to the satisfaction of the
inhabitants. In 1566 the water broke through, and made its
old channel towards Newton Cross.
First Jetty erected, having a crane at the end to facilitate
the landing of goods from boats. Re-built in 1767.
Three town wells opened.
Thomas Timperley and William Grice, Esqs., were returned to
Parliament; the latter was also returned in 1570 with William
Barker, Esq.; in 1571 with John Bacon, Esq.; and in 1584 and 1585
with Thomas Damett, Esq.
Three small silver maces, belonging to the Corporation,
made.
Herrings very scarce, and sold for £9 a last.
Piers built on both sides of the Haven’s mouth.
The London Privy Council lent the town of Yarmouth
£1,000 without interest, for repairing the Haven, which was
refunded by instalments of £100 a-year.
Three ships of war compelled to leave by the town guns.
Haven expenses for the year, £1,230 12s. 4d.
The Paston family sold Caister Castle to meet their
embarrassments.
Herrings sold for £8 a last; a tun (4 hogshds.) of wine
was also of the same value.
Part of the town wall fell through being overcharged.
Mr. Vincent Goodwin first preacher appointed at St.
Nicholas’ Church.
Drawbridge carried away by high tide, and another constructed
in 1785, at a cost of £403 15s. 9d., notwithstanding
£225 had been expended the year previous in repairs.
Thatched roofs to houses forbidden, and wood was
substituted.
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, K.G., High Steward of the
Borough.
Brewers ordered to brew with coals instead of wood.
Every ale-house licensed by the Bailiffs.
Regulations made to prevent goods lying on the Quay longer
than necessary.
A Bill introduced to Parliament to enroll Yarmouth as a Cinque
Port; but this was not properly carried out. In 1702 the
Government of Yarmouth was settled under Anne in its proper and
present form.
Feb. 10th. Mr. Harbrowne elected to Parliament in place
of John Bacon, Esq., but only served one day, the latter being
re-elected.
Edward Owner born. He represented the town in Parliament
four times, and died August 13th, 1650.
A part of the Hospital, Market Place, converted into a House
of Correction.
Burgh Water Frolic first spoken of, being a grand event, and
patronized by the Mayor and Corporation.
Inhabitants prohibited from washing their clothes near the
public wells.
Lord Burleigh and the Earl of Leicester paid Yarmouth a visit,
and were entertained at the Priory. Queen Elizabeth was
expected, and a silver cup, in the form of a ship, costing
£16, made for presentation to her Majesty, but she reached
no further than Norwich.
Scratby Sand became entirely dry land, and raised its head so
much above high-water mark, that grass, &c., grew on it, and
sea birds built their nests. It was called “Yarmouth
Island,” and was a favourite resort in the summer season
for Yarmouth people.
May to Sept. Great plague; 2,000 persons died, and the
Grammar School shut up for six months. (See 1349 and
1550.)
August 2nd. Dinner provided for 43 gentlemen on a
sandbank out at sea, called Scratby Sand. In 1582 it was
swept away by a strong easterly wind and tide, much to the
disappointment of Sir Edward Clare, Knt., who had made a claim to
it. Valuable wreckage was often found there.
2,000 lasts (2,640,000 single fish) of herrings brought in on
one tide.
Large fish, 17 yards long, the jaw 3¼ yards long, body
4½ yards thick, caught at Caister.
No one could be elected a Burgess in Parliament unless he was
an Alderman.
The Privy Council requested the town to provide ships for the
transport of 400 soldiers into the Low Countries. To raise
funds, every Alderman advanced £5, and every Common
Councilman £2 10s., the rest of the money being raised by
assessment.
Pulpit erected at the west-end of St. Nicholas’ Church;
removed in 1635. Another erected in the south-east comer of
the south aisle, which was also removed in 1846.
Number of “tippling houses” in Yarmouth restricted
to 16.
John Stubbs and Roger Drury, Esqs., elected to Parliament.
William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, K.G., High Steward of the
Borough. In 1578 he visited Yarmouth in company with the
Earl of Leicester.
Preparations to receive the Spanish Armada. The
fortifications put into the best state of defence, a boom thrown
across the Haven at the south gates, and a mound of earth raised
higher than the walls, called the “South Mount,” on
which was placed several pieces of ordnance. Another mound,
the “New Mount,” was afterwards thrown up near St.
George’s Chapel, and a warlike ship fitted out at the
town’s expense to annoy the enemy at sea, and preparations
made to lodge and provision a garrison of 1,000 men. The
sum of £1,355 4s. 9d. was assessed on the County.
No victualler or innkeeper allowed to retail any
“strange beer” under pain of forfeiture.
An ale-house or tavern could only be kept by a Freeman or the
widow of a Freeman.
Two Yarmouth ships required to carry out 150 soldiers to
Normandy.
T. Damett, Esq., again returned to Parliament with John
Felton, Esq.
The fishing nets used by boat owners valued at
£50,000.
John Felton, Esq., again returned to Parliament with Sir H.
Hobart.
Elizabethan House on the Quay, built by Benjamin Cowper.
It was sold to John Carter, a friend of Oliver Cromwell.
The supporters of Cromwell frequently assembled in this house,
and it is supposed that the death of Charles I. was here
determined on. It was for many years previously to Feb.
26th, 1867, the residence and property of the late Charles J.
Palmer, Esq., F.S.A.
Arthur Wilson born at Yarmouth. He published an account
of the life and reign of James I, written with much freedom, and
displaying a thorough knowledge of Court intrigues; but the
liberties he took in exposing the propensities of that monarch
and his son towards the Catholic cause, brought upon him the
vehement censure of the friends of the Stuart family, who said
that he had written from conjectures rather than from records,
and that his work was more like a pasquinade than an authentic
history. He was for many years an attendant on the Earl of
Essex, and afterwards steward to the Earl of Warwick. He
died in 1652.
Seven hundred vessels in the Haven at one time.
The number of Rows was seven score (140).
The south side of the Hospital School used as a House of
Correction.
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, K.G., High Steward of the
Borough.
Rev. Thomas Nash published the “Lenten Stuffe,”
containing a poetical and satirical description of Yarmouth,
&c., and a play in “Praise of a Red
Herring.” He was born at Lowestoft in 1567, and died
in 1600. He was called by Dr. Lodge “the true English
Gifford or Aretino.” His name is mentioned by Michael
Drayton, and also in the play, “Return from
Parnassus.” (Vide page 486,
Pimperley’s “Encyclopædia of Literary and Typ.
Anecdote.”)
One penny per swill by day and 1½d. at night were
charged for carting herrings from the beach.
Caister Castle deserted as a residence.
Sir Henry Hobart and T. Damett, Esq., again returned to
Parliament; the latter, with John Wheeler, Esq., also returned on
the accession of James I.
The Dutch Chapel, South Quay, built, and afterwards converted
into a Theatre.
Every Alderman, or his deputy, with a constable, ordered to
visit all ale-houses and taverns twice a week, and make inquiries
respecting the customers.
The washing and rinsing of nets near the public wells
forbidden.
The town required to provide and provision ships for
transporting 600 soldiers to the Low Countries.
Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham, K.G., Lord High Admiral of
England, elected High Steward of the Borough.
A third Market Cross erected.
The three local rivers frozen over for 40 days.
James I. made Yarmouth a free Borough by charter, by the title
of Bailiff, Aldermen, Burgesses, and Commonalty; which charter in
1683 (Charles II.) was surrendered to the King. (See July
22nd, 1684.)
Drapers, mercers, grocers, and haberdashers prohibited from
having stalls in the market.
Herring Fair held. A great scarcity of herrings this
year—a last of Windsor herrings being sold for £15
5s.
Great damage done to the Piers by a raging tide.
Aldermen who had held office as Bailiffs, compelled to wear
scarlet gowns with tippets, under pain of a 40s. fine. (See
1541.)
The present Haven completed at a cost of £38,682, and
from this date to 1770 inclusive, £215,644 had been
expended about the Haven and Piers.
Sir Theophilus Finch and G. Hardware, Esq., returned to
Parliament, but the former was succeeded soon after by Sir Henry
Hobart.
One hundred jacobuses (a gold coin struck in the time of James
I.) presented to King James I. by the town, as a mark of loyalty
and affection.
At Corporate meetings no gentleman allowed to make uncomely
and indecent speeches out of time and order, or create a
disturbance when touching upon any public good, or even allowed
to make a remark till the previous speaker had sat down, under
penalty of fine or dismissal.
About 50 Yarmouth fishermen laid up their vessels, having no
licenses for exportation.
License granted for the export of 600 lasts of herrings, which
was annually renewed till 1624.
The Cage or Stock-house set up.
An ordinance made that all doors opening outwards into the
Rows should be made to swing inwards, otherwise the constables
would nail them up, and levy a fine of 5s. on the owners.
The last demand made by the Crown for furnishing vessels of
war, until Charles I. resorted to that means of raising a revenue
without the sanction of Parliament.
Dec. 21st. John Cowldham, J.P., four times a Bailiff,
died, aged 84 years.
B. Cowper and Edward Owner, Esqs., free Burgesses, elected to
Parliament.
“Tippling houses” had increased to 40, and were
restricted to that number.
Benjamin Cowper, Esq., re-elected, with G. Hardware, Esq., to
serve in Parliament.
Artillery yard on the site of present Unitarian Chapel.
Dec. 29th. Poor people were ordered not to marry unless
sanctioned in writing by the Chief Alderman and Chief
Constable.
Manship, who wrote the “History of Great
Yarmouth,” died. He was Town Clerk in 1579.
Sir John Corbet and E. Owner, Esq., elected to Parliament; and
in the same year Sir John was re-elected with Thomas Johnson,
Esq.
Fish Market, on the site of the present, covered in and
paved. Covering removed in 1844.
Robert Sydney, Earl of Leicester, K.G., High Steward of the
Borough.
Nicholas Felton, Bishop of Ely, died. He was a native of
Yarmouth, and one of the prelates employed by James I. in the new
translation of the Bible.
Sir John Wentworth and Miles Corbet, Esq., elected to
Parliament.
The town obtained leave to export 1,000 lasts of herrings,
which continued till 1637, when £50 per annum was demanded
by the Trinity for 10 years, and afterwards for 40 years.
Twelve hundred householders in Yarmouth.
Edward Sackville, Earl of Dorset, K.G., High Steward of the
Borough.
Fishing with a trawl prohibited by proclamation.
£1 a quarter paid by the town to the Postmaster of
Ipswich for carrying letters to and from Yarmouth for London.
Tobacco allowed only to be retailed in this town by one
apothecary, six grocers, two hosiers, one merchant, and a
chairmaker.
June 26th. Four Frenchmen executed for murdering
Nicholas Harpley.
Aldermen’s wives compelled to wear velvet hats up to
this date, when the ordinance was annulled.
Thirty-four brewing-houses in Yarmouth.
Miles Corbet, Esq., re-elected, with Edward Owner, Esq., as
members of Parliament.
The East and West Flegg granted to the family of
Cornwallis.
Oct. 12th. A ship, with 140 armed soldiers on board,
through stress of weather, put into Yarmouth port; she was seized
by the townsmen, and her crew and soldiers imprisoned on behalf
of the Parliament.
Sept. Earl of Warwick, Lord High Admiral, visited
Yarmouth, and was entertained by the Corporation.
Dec. 23rd. A rate of £1,200 assessed upon the
inhabitants for the fortifications.
The town collected £136 for the relief of distressed
subjects in Ireland.
Feb. Lord Grey of Werke required Yarmouth to send 80
dragoons to Cambridge.
The number of “tippling-houses” increased to 80,
besides great inns and taverns; and in 1705 augmented to 120.
Letters between Yarmouth and London only passed once a
week.
Twenty Iceland fishing barques belonging to Yarmouth merchants
taken by pirates, only three escaping.
Additional fortifications made. Breastworks and
platforms built at the seaside, and ordnance mounted on them.
The Earl of Lauderdale visited Yarmouth, and was sumptuously
entertained at the town’s expense.
Sep. 9th. Lord Fairfax marched into Yarmouth, and the
town was converted into a garrison.
Three men-of-war ships sent to convoy the fishers and guard
the coast.
The Burgesses raised 600 foot and 50 horse soldiers, in lieu
of having other forces marched into the town to do garrison
duty.
Four Aldermen and 16 Common Councillors resigned office in the
Corporation; 6 were afterwards reinstated.
The Puritans removed a fine old organ from St. Nicholas’
Church.
The Presbyterians made a doorway in the north wall of the
Parish Church, and opened the north aisle of the chancel for
public worship.
Up to this date prayer was always used before the commencement
of public business.
Admiral Blake sent several ships to Yarmouth, which he had
captured from the Dutch.
Dr. Thomes Soame died. He was the son of a fisherman at
Yarmouth, but related to a wealthy family of the same name at
Burnham. He lived in the reign of Charles I., and having
entered holy orders he became minister of Staines in Middlesex,
and Prebendary of Windsor. During the civil wars he was so
zealously attached to Royalty that he sent all he had to the
King, so that when the rebels came to plunder him he had nothing,
for which he was imprisoned, first in Newgate, and afterwards in
the Fleet Prison, where he died.
June 6th. Yarmouth sent 5 members to the
“Little” Parliament summoned by Cromwell.
Resigned Dec. 12th.
Aug. 29th. General Monk granted a warrant to free
Yarmouth fishermen from being pressed into the service of the
State.
Lord Henry, youngest son of Oliver Cromwell, High Steward of
the Borough.
Norfolk sent ten members to Parliament.
Dec. 16th. Oliver Cromwell proclaimed in the Market
Place Protector of the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom.
Colonel William Goffe and Thomas Dunne, Esq., were elected
Burgesses to Parliament by 3 Aldermen and 26 Common
Councilmen.
William Burton and C. G. Cock, Esqs., elected to
Parliament.
W. Burton and C. G. Cock, Esqs., re-elected to Parliament.
Yarmouth people sent to Southwold 30 coombs of wheat and
10 coombs of rye for the sufferers from a fire which consumed the
greater part of that town.
Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, High Steward of the
Borough.
A “Healing Parliament” called, and Sir J.
Palgrave, Bart., and Miles Corbet, Esq., elected.
Sir William D’Oyley, Bart., and Sir W. Coventry, Bart.,
Secretary to the Admiralty, returned to Parliament.
Contention and bloodshed through concurrent jurisdiction
ceased, when the Cinque Ports dissolved government with
Yarmouth.
Dec. 10th. James Smith was fined £10 for saying of
Sir Thomas Medowe, a Bailiff, “He is a fool, and I have
killed a bull of 80s. that had better brains than Sir Thomas
have.”
Jan. 22nd. Rev. John Brinsley, sen., lecturer in
Yarmouth, died, aged 64.
Two thousand five hundred persons died of plague, including
two ministers of St. Nicholas’ Church. (See 1349,
1550, and 1579.)
June 3rd. Great sea fight off Lowestoft, when the Dutch
Admiral (Opdam) was defeated.
Every person receiving parish relief ordered to wear a pewter
badge on the left arm, which was called “the badge of
poverty.”
John Carter, twice Bailiff, and one of the Elders, died, aged
73.
Town farthings coined by the Overseers “for the use of
the poor.” In 1673 they were cried down, and the town
fined £90 for setting up a local mint. Lord Townshend
petitioned the King on their behalf that he would pardon their
offence.
Twenty-two thousand seven hundred and sixty chaldrons of coal
imported.
An Act of Parliament passed appointing Haven Commissioners,
viz., three for Norfolk, three for Suffolk, two for Norwich, and
two for Yarmouth.
April 21st. Mitchell Mew, twice Bailiff, and once Mayor,
died, aged 71 years.
Sep. 27th. Charles II. visited Yarmouth, accompanied by
the Dukes of York, Monmouth, and Buckingham, and publicly
entertained at a cost of £1,000.—The Corporation
presented the King with four golden herrings and a chain, value
£250. The King knighted three gentlemen of the
Council.
May 28th. Duke of York, commander of the English fleet,
defeated the Dutch fleet under De Ruyter, in Sole Bay, or
Southwold Bay. The guns were heard at Yarmouth, and the
sick and wounded afterwards brought here. Yarmouth sent
presents of wine, sheep, lambs, lemons, fowls, and fish to the
Duke of York, previous to the engagement.
April 8th. William Burton, sen., twice Bailiff of the
town, died, aged 65 years.
Son of Sir William Paston created Baron Paston and Viscount
Yarmouth; also created Earl of Yarmouth in 1679. In 1676 he
was shot at and wounded while in his coach. He died in
1682.
Robert Paston, Viscount Yarmouth, chosen High Steward of the
Borough.
The famous “Yarmouth Troll Cart” in use. At
this date they were known by the name of “Yarmouth
Coaches,” being more elegantly made, and let out to
pleasure parties.
Bell factory supposed to have existed.
Haven expenses this year, £2,099 9s. 6d.
Grand celebration in Yarmouth on the marriage of William III.,
Prince of Orange, with Princess Mary.
Captain Booth executed in the town for stabbing a seaman.
The ground between the walls and the east side of the town,
from the Market Place, along King Street to the Friars’
Lane, was sold for £2,265 17s. 6d., to sundry persons to
build upon.
Bonfires, by order of the Corporation, made in the Market
Place and other parts of the town, on the passing of the
“Test Act” by both Houses of Parliament.
Sir W. Coventry, Knt., re-elected to Parliament, with Lord
Huntingdon.
Richard Huntingdon and George England, Esqs., returned to
Parliament.
Oct. 21st. Sir William Gooch, Bart., born at
Yarmouth. Early in life he entered the army, and
distinguished himself in the Rebellion of 1715. George I.
made him Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1727; and in 1740 he
was appointed Colonel of an American Regiment, and assisted at
the memorable siege of Carthagena. For his services he was
promoted, being first made Brigadier and then Major-General, in
which capacity, in 1747, he commanded in the expedition to
Quebec. Died at Bath, Dec. 17th, 1751.
The whole body of Freemen claimed a right of electing members
for the town, and accordingly chose Sir James Johnson, Knt., and
George England, Esq. Before this, the Corporation had
usually taken upon themselves this business, sometimes by a
majority of the assembly, and sometimes by an inquest of six
Aldermen and six Common Councilmen.
H.R.H. the Duke of York entertained to a sumptuous dinner in
Yarmouth; afterwards embarked in the frigate
“Gloucester,” but (May 6th) the vessel striking on
the Leman and Ower sand, 12 leagues from Yarmouth, she filled
with water, and the Duke escaped in a shallop, with Colonel
Churchill, Earl of Aberdeen, Duke of Montrose, and a few other
distinguished personages.
William Paston, Earl of Yarmouth, High Steward of the
Borough.
Spire of St. Nicholas’ Church, being of wood and lead,
set on fire by lightning. John Grice received from the
Corporation a piece of plate, value £10, for extinguishing
it.
April 26th. First Yarmouth Fair held.
May 7th. John Hall, Esq., died, aged 61 years. He
was a merchant, Alderman by the old and new charters, and twice
Bailiff of the town.
July 22nd. The charter granted by which a Mayor was
substituted for the 2 Bailiffs, 18 Aldermen instead of 36, and 36
Common Councilmen instead of 18. By Charles II. a High
Steward, a Recorder, a Sub-Steward, 2 Coroners, 2 Chamberlains,
and a Clerk of the Courts were also appointed. Southtown
was added to the liberties of the Borough. (See 1608, 1687,
and 1763.) This charter also empowered them to hold
two fairs yearly. The instrument was brought from
London by the eldest son of the Earl of Yarmouth to Haddiscoe,
and given to George Ward, Esq., the first Mayor elected.
He, accompanied by a large train of carriages, and from 300 to
400 horsemen, proceeded to Haddiscoe to receive it. Great
rejoicing in the town.
Lady Yarmouth, wife of the above Earl, died.
The Corporation Sword of Justice, carried before the Mayor,
adopted.
Sir Thomas Medowe, Mayor, being the second elected the same
year. Bailiffs prior to this year were chosen instead of
Mayor.
Lord Huntingdon and George England, Esq., returned to
Parliament; also in 1686 and 1688.
Town Charters surrendered to Charles II.
May 1st. Earl of Yarmouth invited Sir A. Dean and Sir H.
Shiers to view the Haven and Piers. The latter was
presented at the “Three Feathers” Inn with 100
guineas for his journey. He also visited the town in 1687,
accompanied by Lord Dartmouth, who recommended that a ship be
sunk, or jetty made, northward of the north Pier, to prevent the
sand from coming into the Haven, and that a basin be formed
westward of the “brush,” with a sluice to let out the
water forcibly into the Haven towards the latter ebb.
Lord Huntingdon and George England, Esq., elected by the
Freemen to serve in Parliament. The right of Freemen to
vote was ever acquiesced in by the Corporation.
Aug. 12th. Prince George of Denmark landed at Yarmouth,
and went post to Windsor.
James II. ejected 5 Aldermen and 12 Common Councilmen from the
Corporate Body; and in the following year 3 Aldermen and 4
Councilmen, and placed others in their stead. This right of
displacing the Corporate body was reserved by the King.
June 24th. Tumult and riotous proceedings took place in
the town through the bigoted conduct of King James II.
Lord Huntingdon and G. England, Esq., again elected, and sent
to the Convention Parliament the same year. Re-elected in
1690 and 1695.
Prince George of Denmark’s regiment of Dragoons sent to
Yarmouth; and in 1696, two companies of Lieut.-General
Bellasis’ Royal Fusiliers were quartered in the town.
The office of Mayor ceased, and the Government of the town
again reverted to two Bailiffs, under King James II.’s
proclamation. This continued till the time of Queen
Anne. (See 1702.)
Haven expenses for the year, £2,323 5s. 4d.
Feb. 16th. Prince of Orange and the Princess Mary
proclaimed in the Market Place.
George England and Samuel Fuller, Esqs., returned to
Parliament; also in 1695, 1698, and 1700.
May 16th. Edmund Thaxter, Alderman and twice Bailiff,
died, aged 62.
The Maces carried by the Mayor’s officers ordered to be
made. At New Romney are now (1884) two maces used here at
Herring Fair.
Anthony Ellys, Bishop of St. David’s, and author of
several theological works, was born at Yarmouth. Died in
1761.
Oct. 18th. William III. landed at Yarmouth, and received
with great enthusiasm. The Corporation spent £106 in
entertaining him.
All Boroughs were reduced by proclamation to the same state of
government as before the surrender of charters to Charles
II. (See 1702.)
Two hundred vessels and nearly 1,000 lives lost in one night
off this coast.
Sept. 11th. Thomas, second son of Sir George England,
Alderman and twice Bailiff, died, aged 48 years.
Oct. 28th. John Albertson, Esq., Alderman and Bailiff in
1655, died, aged 71 years.
A Bar having formed across the Harbour’s mouth, the
dangerous state of the Haven was made known by the beat of a
drum, and the inhabitants desired to cut and dig a
“gut” or trench through the Bar.
Proposed to break up the streets and lay pipes to supply the
inhabitants with spring water from a large reservoir, collected
from the wells on the Denes. Also in 1810. (See 1835
and 1855.)
Corporation voted an address to the King upon his safe return,
and peace with the French King.
John Nicholson and John Burton, Esqs., returned to
Parliament.
June 30th. George England, Esq., eldest son of Sir
George, died, aged 58 years. He was Recorder, and several
times member of Parliament for the Borough. (See 1693 and
1711.)
Fishermen’s Hospital (for 40 persons) erected by the
Corporation.
The Corporation obtained a new charter, granted by Queen Anne,
which again allowed them to choose a Mayor on Sept. 29th, instead
of two Bailiffs. (See 1692.)
Benjamin England and J. Nicholson, Esqs., returned to
Parliament; also in 1705.
July 3rd. Thomas Bradford, Esq., Mayor, died, aged 74
years.
March 11th. Twenty-fifth and last Charter granted by
Queen Anne, re-appointing certain governors of the town.
(See 1684.) When the Parliamentary and Municipal Reform
Acts were passed (1832 and 1835), the Mayor was again required to
be chosen from the whole body of the Corporation, whether
Aldermen or Town Councillors.
A dreadful Fire broke out at the north end of the town, and
several houses were blown up to prevent its spreading.
April 30th. Thomas Godfrey, twice Bailiff and many years
Town Clerk of this Borough, died, aged 63 years. He was
succeeded by John Carlow, and at his decease in 1710 by Francis
Turner.
The expenses of Yarmouth Haven amounted to £2,710 7s.
5d.
April 27th. Thomas Bendish, Esq., died, aged 61
years. He was a descendant of the ancient family of Sir
Thomas Bendish, Bart., of Essex, who was ambassador from Charles
II. to the Grand Seigneur. He married Bridget, daughter of
H. Ireton, Esq., of Ireton, for some time Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland.
Hon. Roger Townshend and Richard Ferrier, Esq., returned to
Parliament.
A Quaker had his Burgess Letter on taking his solemn
affirmation only.
Nov. 7th. William Browne, Esq., Mayor, died, aged 46
years.
Richard Ferrier and Benjamin England, Esqs., returned to
Parliament. Poll—F. 278; Eng. 269; Townshend 231;
Ellys 173. Also in 1713.
April 30th. Benjamin England, Esq., third son of Sir
George, died. He was several times Bailiff, Mayor, and
Member of Parliament for the Borough.
Henry Borrett, Esq., was Mayor, but dying before his term of
office was completed, Samuel Wakeman, Esq., was chosen.
Ordered that no license be granted to any person to draw or
retail ale or any other liquor at any house by the sea-side,
except during the fishing seasons.
Oct. 3rd. Twenty persons drowned on Breydon from the
upsetting of a wherry.
An Act obtained for making a causeway over the Denes from
Yarmouth to Caister.
The Charity School erected in the Market Place by a few
benevolent persons; and in 1724 the Corporation built two large
rooms.
First Town Hall built at a cost of £880. (See
April 20th, 1880, and May 31st, 1882.)
Mayors and Justices allowed to wear different gowns to those
of other Corporate members.
St.
George’s Episcopal Chapel finished building. The
contractors were Messrs. Price and Son, who built the Town
Hall. The Chapel was consecrated Dec. 8th, 1815. Cost
£3,800.
South Denes laid out as a race-course by John Holdrich and
other innkeepers of Yarmouth; but annual races not held till
1810.
Easter Fair held on Good Friday until this date, when the
Corporation ordered it to take place on the Friday following.
Geo. England, Esq., and the Hon. Horatio Townshend returned to
Parliament.
It was agreed that the two last and every succeeding Mayor
should receive £100 each, in lieu of the fishing
thousand.
The Vicar’s house built by the Corporation.
An Act passed enforcing half the amount of ordinary duties on
the Haven to be expended in improving the Haven, Piers, and
Jetties; one-fourth part to be expended in deepening and
cleansing the three rivers, and repairing the bridge and public
quays at Yarmouth; and the remaining fourth part in cleansing and
deepening Breydon.
Oct. 2nd. William Spooner, Bailiff, and afterwards
Mayor, died, aged 67 years.
Hon. Charles Townshend and Hon. Horatio Walpole returned to
Parliament. The latter created a Baronet in 1756.
Guildhall, near St. Nicholas’ Church, pulled down and
replaced by an unsightly building, where Corporate assemblies
were held till 1835.
The Charity School for 50 boys and 30 girls was built by
subscription. (See, 1713).
Jan. 28th. James Artis, Esq., Bailiff, Mayor, and
Captain of Fusiliers, died, aged 68 years.
Corbridge published his “West Prospect of
Yarmouth.” Buck published one in 1741; and
Laing’s Map came out in 1867.
July 14th. Mrs. Bridget Bendish, granddaughter of Oliver
Cromwell, died at Southtown.
Hon. W. Townshend and Hon. Horatio Walpole returned to
Parliament.
The Norwich Mercury of this date says:—“The
persons appointed for choosing a Mayor for the town of Great
Yarmouth (according to custom) were locked up in a room on
Tuesday last at 12 o’clock, and did not determine the
election till 9 o’clock on Thursday morning, when Samuel
Artis, Esq., a gentleman of known loyalty and integrity, was
declared Mayor-Elect for the year ensuing, to the great
disappointment of the Tories.”
The Pillory removed.
£50 raised by the town for the relief of the English
prisoners at Mequinez.
July. A remarkable storm and tempest; hailstones of
prodigious magnitude fell.
Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, K.G., High Steward of the
Borough.
Dec. 20th. Organ now at the Parish Church first
opened. The Rev. Thos. Macro, D.D., minister of Yarmouth,
preached the sermon on “The Melody of the
Heart.”—Eph. 5, 19 verse. (See
Jan. 25th, 1869.)
A poor fisherman named Danby obtained a verdict, with
£15 damages, against William Brown, Esq. (the Mayor),
Justice Artis, and Masters (the Bridewell man), for whipping and
false imprisoning the plaintiff.
The
Mayor’s gold chain and medal appendant having the arms of
the Corporation on one side, and a ship under sail on the
reverse, to be worn by every Mayor for ever. (See
1746.) It was subscribed for. The cost of the chain
alone was £141 18s. 3d.
Organ at St. George’s Chapel built by Jordan.
Hon. Edward Walpole and the Hon. William Townshend returned to
Parliament, but the latter dying in 1737, was succeeded by his
brother, the Hon. Roger Townshend.
Sarah Johnson, a widow, was whipped upon a cart round the
Market Place, for stealing three gold rings and a silver
spoon. In 1763 two sailors were served in like manner,
receiving four lashes under each public-house sign for stealing
merchandise.
Elizabeth Thompson hanged for the murder of a Dutchman in the
Gaol-row.
Jan. 14th. George II. landed a few miles south of
Yarmouth.
Sir R. Walpole sent 50 guineas to be expended in coal for the
poor.
Robert Ferrier appointed Town Clerk, and eleven years
afterwards he filled the civic chair.
Chris. Bernard, Esq., elected Mayor, but died before
completing his term of office.
Expenses of Yarmouth Haven were £3,299 15s. 9d.
Amelia Sophia de Walmoden, presumed to have been the mistress
of George II., was created Baroness and Countess of Yarmouth for
life. She died in 1750.
Hon. Roger Townshend and E. Walpole, Esq., returned to
Parliament. Votes—T., 400, W., 391; Howling Luston,
104; Richard Fuller, 97.
John Thacker hanged for killing John Auger with a pistol ball
in a shop near the “Wheel of Fortune.”
The inquest, chosen for electing a Mayor, locked up in the
Guildhall for ten days; in 1765, six days; in 1767, three days
and three nights; and in 1814, fifty-four hours.
Samuel Killett, Esq., Alderman, gave the Corporation of
Yarmouth a silver oar, double gilt, the insignia of the Admiralty
Court.
Ancient Order of Foresters first formed.
Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, High Steward of the
Borough.
Nov. 25th. Mayor’s medal appendant sold; its value
applied for adding links to the chain, the two being valued at
£166. (See 1734.)
Hon. E. Walpole and the Hon. Chas. Townshend elected to
Parliament.
The Cage or Stock-house removed.
Nov. 30th. John Dobson Tongue hanged for robbing Mr.
Halsden on the Southtown-road.
Oct. 13th. John Sullivan hanged for robbing Mrs. Meed on
the Denes.
John Barcham, mariner, executed for the murder of Robert
Bullen.
An Act passed appointing a committee of twelve inhabitants of
Yarmouth to inspect the Haven works, and to summon the
Commissioners in cases of need.
Mrs. Cromwell, lineally descended from Oliver Cromwell, died
at Yarmouth, at an advanced age.
A live infant named Sarah Pycraft found in a basket in St.
Nicholas’ Churchyard, and was taken to the Workhouse, where
she died 96 years afterwards.
George Walpole, Earl of Orford, High Steward of the
Borough.
Dr.
John Butler, minister at St. Nicholas’ Church, and
afterwards Bishop of Oxford and Hereford. He died in
1802.
An Act passed to open the port of Yarmouth for the importation
of wool and woollen yarn from Ireland.
Chris. Taylor, Esq., Mayor, died before completing his term of
office, and was succeeded by Giles Wakeman.
The Gallows-house on the North Denes removed.
Expenses of Yarmouth Haven amounted to £3,360 3s.
9d.
April 18th. Right Hon. C. Townshend and his former
colleague, then Sir E. Walpole, K.B., and Chief Secretary for
Ireland, elected to Parliament. Votes—T., 541; W.,
518; R. Fuller, 397; and William Browne, 342.
Mr. Thos. Olivers made an unsuccessful attempt to introduce
Methodism into the town. He and a friend were assailed on
the Sunday with dirt, stones, and missiles of every description
without mercy, and driven out of the town. Mr. Howell
Harris made an attempt in 1760, which was more successful, though
at great risk of his life.
July 23rd. William Burton, M.D., died, aged 53.
Sept. 1st. Naval engagement off Lowestoft between H.M.S.
“Hazard” and a French privateer, “La
Subtille,” carrying 12 guns and 86 men. After six
hours the Frenchman struck off Winterton, and the next day
(Sunday) the prisoners were landed and lodged in gaol. By
undermining the prison wall, fourteen broke out, and only four
were retaken.
C. Townshend, Esq., of Honingham, a cousin to the Hon.
Charles, was elected to Parliament by a majority of 32 votes, on
the latter accepting the office of Treasurer of his
Majesty’s Chamber. Mr. C. Townshend was elected eight
times in thirty-three years.
An Act for the better recovery of small debts within the
liberties of the Borough obtained.
Oct. 7th. Joseph Ames, F.R.S., died. He was born
at Yarmouth on Jan. 23rd, 1688, and was the author of
“Typographical Antiquities”; being an historical
account of printing in England, with memoirs of our ancient
printers, and a register of the books printed by them, from the
year 1471 to 1600, with an appendix concerning printing in
Scotland and Ireland to the same time. It was dedicated to
Philip, Earl of Hardwick, Lord High Chancellor of England.
He was originally a piano maker, and afterwards a ship chandler
at Wapping, which trade he carried on till his death. He
was a great lover of history. In 1741 was appointed
secretary of the Society of Antiquaries. Mr. Ames printed a
“Catalogue of English Printers from 1471 to 1700,”
“An Index to Lord Pembroke’s Coins,” also
“A Catalogue of English Heads, or an account of about 2,000
prints,” describing what is peculiar on each; he drew up
the “Parentalia, or Memoirs of the Family of
Wren.” His collection of coins, curiosities, books,
&c., were sold in 1760. Among the latter was a copy of
Tindall’s New Testament, supposed to be the only one which
escaped the flames, when the Bishop of London (Tonstall) ordered
them to be burnt. Vide “Timperley’s
Encyclopedia of Literary and Typ. Anecdote,” 1842, p.
703.
Yarmouth Sea-baths built. Cost £2,000. A
handsome public room added in 1785.
Terrible affray with the 2nd Dragoons (Scotch Greys) and 6th
Irish Dragoons (Enniskilling), who were quartered in the
town. They attacked each other with swords.
John Willis, Esq., elected Mayor, but died before completing
his term of office.
Hon. Sir Edward Walpole, K.B., and C. Townshend, Esq.,
returned to Parliament.
The number of boys and girls at the Hospital School reduced
from 49 to 41.
Gorleston Parish, with the Hamlet of Southtown, in Mutford and
Lothingland Hundreds (Suffolk) incorporated for the maintenance
of the poor of its 24 parishes. Also by an amended Act in
1833.
Dec. 10th. Rev. Christopher Spendlove, sen., lecturer,
of Yarmouth, died, aged 69 years.
Jan. 8th. Much distress caused through the high price of
food, and a subscription was opened and liberally supported by
the inhabitants—60,138 quartern loaves, weighing 4 lbs. 14
ozs., at 3d. each, distributed for three months, among the poor
till April 25th.
100 ft. of the Jetty carried away by high tide.
C. Townshend, Esq., returned to Parliament, with the Hon.
Richard Walpole. (Also in 1770, 1774, and 1780.)
Sept. 16th. Elizabeth Martin executed for the murder of
her illegitimate child.
April 18th. The day of John Wilkes’s releasement
from the Tower celebrated at Yarmouth with great
rejoicings. He was an eminent English politician.
Nov. 8th. Rev. John Manclarke, minister of the parish,
died, aged 38 years.
During a gale, thirty vessels and two hundred men lost.
Four of the Town Gates pulled down.
One guinea bounty offered to every able seaman at Yarmouth who
would join the fleet to suppress the war with Spain.
“Clappermen” appointed to watch the vessels in the
Harbour, and prevent any fire or light being used on board.
Jan. 11th. Henry Swinden, a diligent antiquary, who for
twenty years collected and digested a large mass of information
respecting his native town, author of “History of Great
Yarmouth,” died, the same year his work was published, and
while the last sheet was in the press, aged 55 years. (See
1776.)
Charles Townshend, Esq., and the Hon. Richard Walpole returned
to Parliament. Votes—T., 310; W., 310; W. Beckford,
218; Sir Charles Saunders, K.B., 216. In 1777, Charles
Townshend, Esq., vacated his seat, but was returned with W.
Beckford, Esq. Votes—T., 502; B., 199.
The overseers’ account for the past year, ending at
Easter, was—Money received, £2,694 16s.; money paid
(including everything, and a new building at £201 10s.)
left a balance in hand of £61 15s. 7d.
The “Nine houses” at Southtown built by John
Eggoty, on the site of public tea-gardens and cream house.
“The History and Antiquities of Yarmouth,” by the
Rev. Charles Parkin, M.A., Rector of Oxburgh, published.
John Ives, F.R.S., F.S.A., died. He was born at Yarmouth
in 1730, and became eminent for his skill in antiquarian
science. He published “Manship’s
History,” wrote the preface, and erected a marble monument
in St. Nicholas’ Church to Manship’s memory.
Dec. 4th. Theatre erected, and opened with the comedy of
the English Merchant. Building cost
£1,500. Renovated in 1828.
Jan. 1st. A tremendous storm and flood, and much damage
done to shipping.
First Map of Yarmouth published by Mr. M. J. Armstrong.
It was prepared by Swinden in 1722.
March 6th. A Monthly Book Club established by the Rev.
R. Turner, B.D.
Armed Associations formed at Yarmouth.
William Penn, a pirate, hanged in London, and afterwards put
on a gibbet on the North Denes.
Two batteries on the North Denes erected.
A fort erected on Gorleston heights, armed with six
24-pounders and a battery of nine 18-pounders, for the defence of
St. Nicholas’ Gat. An invasion expected.
The Fisheries protected by an armed force.
Parliamentary Reform agitated; and the town was filled with
troops, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants.
An Act passed for the better securing the duties payable on
the importation of coal and cinders.
The Norfolk Rangers first established.
The celebrated John Wesley preached in Yarmouth, and on Oct.
the 22nd opened a chapel. He paid the town several visits,
the last in 1790, not five months before his death in 1791.
Aged 87.
Right Hon. C. Townshend re-elected to Parliament.
First Census taken. Population 12,608.
Two vessels fitted out for the Greenland whale fishery.
Mr. S. Bream, of Yarmouth, advocated the extension of the
North Pier for the removal of the Bar. Mr. J. Nichalls, an
engineer, suggested in a report that the river should be
straightened, and a weir placed across the river near its
junction with Breydon.
June 22nd. A great part of the outward wall of the east
end of the Parish Church fell down, and destroyed the tombs and
gravestones to some distance.
Mr. Barrett died, aged 100 years.
Oct. The Prince of Wales (afterwards Geo. IV.) invited
by the Corporation to dine at the Town Hall. Not
accepted.
Sir John Jervis, K.B., returned to Parliament with H. Beaufoy,
Esq.
Another town gate pulled down.
The Dutch sent over 87 boats for the herring fishery off our
coast.
Wooden drawbridge across the stream near the Town Hall built,
and existed till 1843.
Second drawbridge connecting Yarmouth with Southtown over the
Yare re-built and opened to the public.
Josiah Curtis appointed town crier, an office which he held
for 32 years.
Martha Stanninot, a peculiar woman known as “Queen
Martha,” who fancied she should be Queen of England, lived
and died in Row 28.
Nov. 1st. Forty vessels driven ashore between Yarmouth
and Southwold; 80 fishing boats wrecked, and 120 bodies washed
ashore between Yarmouth and Cromer.
An appointed day of thanksgiving for the King’s
recovery, and the town illuminated.
Seven hundred lasts of herrings taken by 180 boats.
June 18th. Right Hon. Charles Townshend and Henry
Beaufoy, Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes—T., 632;
B., 455; J. T. Sandys, 182.
A pottery established at Yarmouth.
George Townshend, Marquis Townshend, High Steward of the
Borough.
Feb.
3rd. Part of the Jetty carried away by a destructive high
tide, and the Denes under water. On the Southtown-road the
water was deep enough for boats to ply.
Oct. 27th. Riot on account of the dearness of
provisions, but suppressed by the magistrates.
Feb. 7th. House of Commons petitioned by Yarmouth for
the abolition of slave trade.
May 29th. The “Church and King Club”
established, and first meeting held at the
“Wrestler’s Inn.”
Dec. Meeting held in Yarmouth, pledging themselves to
support the Constitution of King, Lords, and Commons, as
established in 1688.
Feb. 11th. Embargo laid on all vessels at Yarmouth.
Feb. 28th. H.M.S. “Savage” brought in the
French privateer, “Custine,” she being the first
prize taken in the war.
Matthew Champion died at the age of 111 years.
The title of Earl of Yarmouth was revived as the secondary
title of the Marquis of Hertford.
July. Subscription entered into and a benefit play
performed at Yarmouth, for the relief of the widows and orphans
of those killed on board the fleet in Lord Howe’s victory
on June 1st.
May 29th. On the death of H. Beaufoy, Esq., Colonel S.
Howe was elected to Parliament with George Anson, Esq.
Votes—H., 483; A., 347.
Sir Edmund Lacon, Knt., Mayor. This hon. gentleman was
knighted for quelling the riot which began in the Market Place,
occasioned by the high price of provisions.
The Distillery, on the site of the Silk Factory purchased by
Government, and Barracks made of wood, erected there for 1,600
men.
Jan.
19th. The illustrious fugitive, the Princess of Orange,
with her daughter-in-law, little granddaughter, and the
child’s nurse, accompanied by two gentlemen, embarked on
board a fishing boat. They took up their quarters in the
hold of the vessel, and were covered with the sails as a defence
against the inclement weather. After being safely landed at
Yarmouth, the military were drawn up, and their Royal Highnesses
driven twice round the Market Place, and then entertained by the
Mayor. The Prince unexpectedly came also and took his wife
away. The next day the Duke of York visited Yarmouth for
the purpose of welcoming them, and, though disappointed, was
enthusiastically received by the inhabitants.
Another unfortunate Princess near landing on our shore.
Princess Caroline of Brunswick, accompanied by the English envoy,
Lord Malmesbury, embarked at Cuxhaven on board the
“Jupiter,” 50 guns, and through stress of weather
came within six leagues of the Beach.
A line of packets to Cuxhaven was started from our Port, and
the Dover and Harwich packets removed.
Congratulatory address from the Corporation and inhabitants of
Yarmouth presented to George III. on his escape from the attack
made on his person while proceeding to Parliament House.
June. Lord C. P. T. Townshend and Colonel S. Howe
returned to Parliament. Lord Charles on the day following
his election was found dead in his carriage, shot in the mouth by
a pistol ball. The same year (Oct. 26th), Major-General W.
Loftus and H. Jodrell, Esq., were elected to Parliament.
Votes—L., 599; J., 561; Sir J. Jervis, K.B., 418.
June 25th. First time that a squadron of men-of-war
ships entered Yarmouth Roads. There were 13 British and 3
Russian, under the command of Admiral Macbride.
Freedom
of the Borough presented to Captain Trollope, for defeating 8
French ships of war off the coast of Holland.
Aug. 19th. Whilst Thelwall, a political lecturer, was
declaiming in a room at Yarmouth, a party of armed sailors from
the ships in the Roads broke in, and in their attempt to seize
the orator, knocked down every person who opposed them.
Upwards of 40 persons were wounded in the scuffle; the orator
escaped unhurt.
June 1st. Mutiny on board the North Sea Fleet at
Yarmouth, and several sail of the line hoisted the red flag of
defiance.
Sept. 18th. Admiral Duncan assumed the command of the
North Sea Fleet in the Roadstead, vice Admiral
Macbride.
Oct. 3rd. Admiral Duncan put into Yarmouth Roads, and
six days afterwards went in search of the Dutch fleet, which was
totally defeated (Oct. 11th) off Camperdown. The British
fleet returned in triumph to Yarmouth Roads, bringing seven sail
of the line as prizes. The wounded men were landed and
conveyed to the Barracks and to Norwich—there being no
Naval Hospital. Yarmouth for several days was thronged with
visitors to see the victorious British fleet and their
prizes. A subscription was raised on behalf of the
wounded.
A high tide nearly demolished the Bath House.
Somerset Militia quartered in the town.
Captain Rysoort, of the “Hercules” (one of Admiral
Duncan’s prizes), died in Yarmouth, and was buried with
military honours.
A boat on the river Breydon upset, and six out of seven youths
drowned.
Freedom of the town presented to Lord Duncan and Sir Richard
Onslow for their victories over the Dutch fleet; also to Earl St.
Vincent for the victory over the Spanish fleet on the 14th of
February.
Mutiny broke out at the Nore, and extended itself to the
vessels in Yarmouth Roads, but was quickly suppressed.
Mar. 2nd. Through financial pressure at the Bank of
England, Yarmouth banks paid in their own notes, and fractional
parts were paid in specie.
Two Volunteer Companies of Yeomanry Cavalry formed at Yarmouth
under Samuel Barker and H. Worship, Esqs.
Oct. 1st. Intelligence of Admiral Viscount
Nelson’s ever memorable victory off the mouth of the Nile
received at Yarmouth with great rejoicing.
Oct. 1st. The Times says: At half-past twelve the
following men-of-war in Yarmouth Roads got under weigh to cruise
off the Texel:—“Monarch,” 74 guns, Admiral Sir
Richard Onslow, Captain Sutton; “Monmouth,” 64,
Deane; “Belligneux,” 64, England;
“Ardent,” 64, Bertie; “Agamemnon,” 64,
Fancourt. Remaining in the Roads:—“Kent,”
74, Lord Duncan; “Ganges,” 74, Captain
M’Dowall; “America,” 64, Smith;
“Veteran,” 64, Mosse; “Glatton,” 54,
Cobb; with the “Europa” and “Mististoff”
men-of-war.
Sept. 28th. The Duke of York’s army returned from
an unsuccessful campaign, and the Guards and 24 other regiments,
comprising 25,000 troops (infantry and cavalry), were landed at
Yarmouth on their return from Holland.
An embargo laid on all shipping at Yarmouth.
Hospital for sick and wounded soldiers erected on the site of
Grout’s Silk Factory. The wounded from Copenhagen
were taken here.
Sept. 25th. Freedom of the Borough voted to Sir A.
Dickson and Mr. Pitt.
Nov. 6th. Admiral Lord Nelson landed here after the
battle of Aboukir, having been absent 2½ years from his
native county, and was presented with an enthusiastic welcome and
the freedom of the town. He stayed at the
“Wrestler’s” Inn, Church Plain, and in a speech
he made there, said, “I am myself a Norfolk man, and I
glory in being so.” When he subsequently visited the
Parish Church, the organ played, “See the Conquering
Hero comes.” He was accompanied by Lady and Sir
William Hamilton.
Nov. 20th. The herring fishery off Yarmouth was
unusually productive this year, the catch being so great that one
of Mr. Batley’s boats, after taking on board 14 lasts, was
obliged to throw two lasts overboard.
Jan. 1st. This day being the first of the 19th century,
and the day on which the union of Great Britain and Ireland took
place, the Durham Militia fired a feu de joie at Yarmouth;
and the ships in the Roadstead gave a royal salute and hoisted
their new colours in honour of the union.
Mar. 7th. The St. “George,” carrying 98
guns, and bearing the flag of Lord Nelson, arrived in the
Roadstead.
Mar. 12th. The grand fleet of 47 ships of war, with
3,000 mariners, under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker in
the “London,” 98 guns, with Lord Nelson as his
Vice-Admiral, sailed from Yarmouth, and proceeded, after they had
been joined by seven sail of the line in Leith Roads, to
Copenhagen to destroy the Danish navy.
Mar. 16th. The “Invincible,” 74 guns (built
in 1766), Rear-Admiral Totty, on her way to join the grand fleet,
got on the ridge near Hasbro’ Sand, and remained till
daybreak next morning, but had no sooner floated into deep water
than she went down with her captain (J. Lawford), several
officers, and about 300 men. By the exertions of Daniel
Grigson, master of the cod-smack, “Nancy,” the
Admiral, 7 officers, and about 190 of the crew, were saved.
April 14th. Intelligence received at Yarmouth of the
destruction of the Danish navy in Copenhagen by the British
fleet, on April 2nd, after four hours’ fighting.
Great rejoicing in this town and country generally.
July 1st. Owing to Lord Nelson’s ill-health he
again landed at the Jetty from the gun-brig,
“Kite.”
Nov. 2nd. The Prince of Orange arrived at Yarmouth from
London, and on the 6th sailed in the packet “Diana,”
for Cuxhaven.
Census
taken. Population of Yarmouth, 14,854; with Gorleston and
Southtown, 16,573.
The batteries erected on the verge of the beach, and mounted
with 32-pounders. The harbour was also defended on each
side by two bastions of a mural construction. They were
dismounted after the general peace, and guns returned to
Woolwich.
Jan. 6th. The Public Library first instituted by a
certain number of subscribers. In 1808 the Corporation
granted the lease of the present building. The Dutch clock
(removed in 1861) was erected on the exterior in 1600, when the
building was used as a Dutch Chapel by the Hollanders; was
afterwards used as an English Chapel, and previous to the Theatre
being built the back premises were converted into a room for
dramatic entertainments. New Reading Room opened Feb. 19th,
1859.
May 5th. The town illuminated on the proclamation of
peace.
May 24th. The Duke of Cambridge sailed from Yarmouth in
the frigate, “Amphion,” for Hanover, of which kingdom
he was appointed Regent. (See June 13th, 1803.)
June 28th. Custom House opened.
July. Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Trowbridge, Bart., and
Thomas Jervis, Esq., returned to Parliament. The boat built
for Sir Thomas to be chaired in, made of oak, 14 ft. long, and 3
ft. 9 in. wide, is still preserved (1884). On the stern is
“Trowbridge and the Navy,” under which is a naval
crown and trophy. It was built by Mr. James Hurry.
Three hundred persons impressed, but 250 were afterwards
liberated. (See 1805.)
Montgomeryshire and Cheshire Militia left the town.
May 5th. An active press at Yarmouth.
May 16th. Embargo laid on all vessels in the Roads.
June 13th. H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge and suite left
Yarmouth for Norwich. They came in the same frigate which
brought Prince William of Gloucester from Cuxhaven, where their
Royal Highnesses were nearly being made prisoners by the advanced
guard of the French army. Had they remained there another
hour they would have shared the fate of the Hanoverian
army. The French General in Holland put an immense number
of fishing boats in requisition for the avowed purpose of
invading England.
Oct. 25th. The Volunteer Regiments in Norfolk and
Norwich resolved to perform permanent duty in Yarmouth in case of
an invasion, and on Nov. the 9th two troops of Norfolk Rangers
(established 1782), headed by the Marquis Townshend, the Lord
Lieutenant, and commanded by Captain Sir M. B. Ffolkes, Bart.,
and Capt. Beauchamp, marched to Yarmouth on permanent duty; also
the Norwich and the Fakenham Volunteers.
Nov. 5th. The Lord Lieutenants of the maritime counties
received warrants under his Majesty’s sign-manual,
commanding them, “as there was actual appearance of
invasion,” to give the necessary orders in pursuance of the
late statute, that on the approach of the enemy all waggons and
carts, cattle, and stores of corn, likely to fall into their
hands, be removed or destroyed, and also that all women and
children be likewise removed. The proprietors to be
indemnified.
Nov. 7th. Lieut.-Col. Harvey’s battalion of
Norwich Volunteers arrived here for garrison duty; also the
Norfolk Rangers and Norwich and Fakenham Corps.
Nov. 10th. The Yarmouth Volunteer Infantry received
their colours (presented by the Corporation) from the hands of
the Mayoress.
Dec. 6th. On the Norwich Volunteers’ return to
Norwich, this regiment was succeeded in their fortnight’s
garrison duty by the Yarmouth Volunteer Infantry (550), commanded
by Lieut.-Colonel Gould.
Dec. 15th. The Lynn and Freebridge Yeomanry Cavalry,
with the Artillery and Rifle Corps, marched through Norwich to
Yarmouth, to relieve the Dereham and South Erpingham troops.
Dec.
22nd. The Dereham and Swaffham troops of Yeomanry Cavalry
marched through Norwich for Yarmouth, to relieve the Lynn and
Freebridge troops; and the Diss, North Walsham, Wells, and Old
Buckenham Volunteer Companies of Infantry marched into Yarmouth
for a fortnight’s duty.
Dec. 30th. The Hingham and Wymondham troops marched to
Yarmouth, to relieve the Swaffham and Dereham troops.
Tower and spire of St. Nicholas’ Church removed; rebuilt
in 1807 at a cost of £1,890. (See 1806.)
The Militia regiments of the county assembled at Yarmouth and
were embodied.
April 4th. The “Antelope,” (Commodore Sir W.
Sydney Smith,) the brig “Cruizer,” and the cutter
“Prince of Wales,” arrived at Yarmouth, from the
Flushing station, which made an unsuccessful attempt to cut out
an armed brig near the Scaw. They were attacked by an armed
schooner, and obliged to abandon their enterprize, with the loss
of five killed and ten wounded.
April 11th. Rear-Admiral Sir W. Sydney Smith left
Yarmouth for Norwich. The hero of St. Jean d’Acre
proceeded next day on a tour of the country before accompanying
the King of Portugal to Brazil.
May 2nd. The gibbet on which Payne was hung in 1781
taken down by order of the Corporation.
May 14th. Lynn Volunteers and (May 26th) North Walsham
Light Infantry, came for a fortnight’s training.
The first newspaper, The Yarmouth Herald, printed in
the town by a Mr. Black.
May 23rd. Blickling and Gunton Rifle Corps arrived here
for a fortnight’s garrison duty.
May 25th. A general fast observed. The Shropshire
Militia and the Volunteers at Yarmouth (nearly 25,000 men)
attended divine service.
May 26th. The sloop “Helena,” 20 guns, and
on Sept. 4th the brig “Musquito,” 18 guns, launched
from Mr. J. Preston’s yard.
Sept.
6th. Sloop of war “Cygnet,” 18 guns, launched
from Mr. Nathaniel Palmer’s yard.
Oct. 28th. Lord Viscount Chedworth, of Ipswich, died
worth £500,000. Thomas Penrice, Esq., surgeon, of
Yarmouth, was left a legacy of £20,000 and also residuary
legatee, by which he came into possession of at least
£300,000.
Nov. 26th. The Corporation and merchants of Yarmouth
voted their thanks to Captain Hancock and his officers for
capturing the notorious Blackman, who commanded a French
privateer of 18 guns, and 98 prisoners were also taken.
Nov. 22nd. The “Romney,” 50 guns, which
sailed from Yarmouth Roadstead on the 18th with bullocks and
vegetables for the blockading fleet off the Texel, under Admiral
Russell, was lost in a dreadful gale of wind on the South Haak
Sand. All the officers and crew saved themselves on rafts,
but were made prisoners by the Dutch. The officers were
afterwards liberated on their parole by the Dutch Admiral
Kikkert.
William Gould, Esq., appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 6th
(Yarmouth) Norfolk Volunteer Infantry.
Night signals established along the coast, and special
constables sworn in at Yarmouth.
Yarmouth Volunteer Infantry embodied for 14 days’
garrison duty.
The Rows first numbered; they formerly bore the names of
houses in or near them, or persons living near them.
The public mind was much excited by a possible French
Invasion, under Napoleon, and many Volunteer and Militia
Regiments of Norfolk and Suffolk did garrison duty here.
The Gorleston Volunteers had a field day, when the
manœuvres were done in a masterly style, under Captain J.
B. Bell. They afterwards dined at the
“Feathers” Inn.
Hay was sold at £4 10s. per ton.
The winter was a very severe one, more intense than in
1740. Coals were 2s. a chaldron.
Capt.
Dickens, of the Shropshire Militia, walked from the
“Angel” Inn, at Yarmouth, to the “Angel”
Inn, at Norwich, and back again (47 miles) in 11½ hours,
for a wager.
A very large sale of 50 prize ships was advertised to take
place at Yarmouth on the 25th. These were principally Dutch
vessels used as privateers and fishing vessels, and the
description of them took about one column of space. No
auctioneer was named, but catalogues were to be had of Mr. A. H.
Steward, of Great Yarmouth.
Mr. Aldred, of Yarmouth, met with a serious loss by being
robbed in Long Lane, Smithfield, of notes, bills, and jewellery,
to the amount of £2,000. He was seized from behind a
chaise by a daring street robber, who eluded the vigilance of the
police.
April 27th. Two gun-brigs, 14 guns each, built in Mr. J.
Preston’s yard, launched.
May 9th. One of the sharpest presses ever remembered in
Yarmouth took place. No fewer than 300 persons of the town
were impressed, of whom only about 50 were ultimately
detained. (See 1802.)
Nov. 7th. Intelligence received of the glorious victory
over the combined fleets of France and Spain, off Cape Trafalgar,
on the 21st of October, though purchased by the
ever-to-be-lamented death of Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson,
who was born at Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, September 29th,
1758. Congratulatory addresses were voted to his Majesty by
Yarmouth; feu de joie fired by the military and
volunteers.
Several regiments of Volunteers did garrison duty in the town
till relieved by the Shropshire Militia.
April 19th. The frigate, “Boreas,” 28 guns,
launched from Messrs. Stone and Constance’s yard; the
sloop, “Ariel,” 18 guns, from Mr. N. Palmer’s
yard.
June 9th. Vice-Admiral Russell, accompanied by several
officers of the North Sea Fleet who were stationed at Yarmouth,
visited Norwich.
July
26th. French frigate “La Guerrière,”
brought into the Roadstead by the frigate
“Blanche.” The former was captured on the 18th,
after a desperate action of 45 minutes; she had taken eight
Greenlandmen and one Yarmouth vessel, all of which she
destroyed.
Aug. 14th. Frigate “Comus,” launched from
Messrs. Constance and Co.’s yard.
Nov. 4th. Hon. E. Harbord (second son of Lord Suffield)
and Stephen Lushington, Esq., returned to Parliament, but on June
25th, 1808, Dr. Lushington vacated his seat in favour of Giffin
Wilson, Esq.
An Act of Parliament passed for repairing the Parish Church of
Great Yarmouth and rebuilding the tower belonging to it.
(See 1803.)
Southtown Armoury built by Wyatt, at a cost of
£15,000. During the war 10,000 stand of arms were
arranged in it, after the disposition observed in the Tower of
London. After the war the arms were removed to the
Tower.
The gun-brig, “Fancy,” built in Mr. J.
Preston’s yard.
Feb. 17th. Gun-brig “Snipe,” with 30 French
prisoners on board, wrecked on the Beach. Many of them were
drowned, together with part of her crew and some women, in all
upwards of 60. There were several other wrecks, for the
wind blew a hurricane, and a drifting snow rendered the highways
for a time impassable.
Feb. 18th. Capt. G. W. Manby, barrack-master at
Yarmouth, first succeeded in projecting a line over a stranded
vessel; and on Feb. 12th, 1808, seven lives were saved from a
vessel 150 yards from the Beach. Parliament rewarded him at
different times with grants amounting to £6,000. He
was born at Hilgay, Norfolk. Captain Manby, at the age of
88 years, had the satisfaction of knowing that he had been
instrumental in saving upwards of 1,000 lives in various parts of
the world by his invention. The two ingenious painters (the
Joys), brothers and sons of a mail-guard, owed much of their fame
to the patronage and assistance afforded them in their youth by
Captain Manby.
May 9th. Hon. E. Harbord and S. Lushington, Esq.,
returned to Parliament. Votes—H., 627; L., 604;
William Jacob, 341; A. Upcher, 21.
July 3rd. Mrs. Cooper, relict of the Rev. D. Cooper, of
Yarmouth, died. This lady, with an ardent desire to
inculcate Christian morality, penned several publications, viz.,
“Fanny Meadows,” “The Daughter,”
“The School for Wives,” and “Exemplary
Mother.”
July 26th. The fleet, under Lord Gambier and
Vice-Admiral Stanhope (69 pennants in all), sailed from Yarmouth
Roads. Sir W. Sidney Smith sailed in Gambier’s
flag-ship, “Prince of Wales,” 98 guns. Soon
afterwards was fought the second battle of Copenhagen (Sept.
7th). Most of their prizes were brought to
Yarmouth—64 vessels mounting 1,994 guns.
Aug. 14th. E. H. K. Lacon born. He was educated at
Cambridge, and created a baronet in 1820 on the death of his
father.
Sept. 7th. Norwich Volunteer Infantry marched to
Yarmouth for garrison duty.
Oct. 29th. Several transports lost off Yarmouth and
Lowestoft.
Nov. 14th. Privateer “Le Décide”
brought into this port by the frigate
“L’Amiable.” She had made no less than 30
prizes.
Nov. 2nd. Louis XVIII. (under the title of Count de
Lille) landed at Yarmouth from a Swedish frigate. The Dukes
d’Angouleme and De Berri, and several French noblemen, came
with him. This was the first time since the memorable
battle of Poictiers, in 1356, that a King of France had been in
England.
Dec. A Telegraph erected upon the hill at Thorpe
communicating with Yarmouth. An order from the Admiralty
Office in London was received at Yarmouth in seventeen
minutes.
North Gate removed to widen the roadway. It was flanked
with square towers of curious workmanship.
One
hundred and forty-four dead bodies washed ashore in this vicinity
after a heavy gale.
A new peal of ten bells put in the tower of St.
Nicholas’ Church, and first rung out on May 2nd,
1808. Cost £1,161 8s. 4d. The spire of the
Church was also rebuilt the same year.
Jan. 10th. Lord Hutchinson and Lord Gower landed here
from the “Bellette” sloop-of-war, from St.
Petersburgh.
March 30th. Silver eel, 6 ft. long and 21 in. in girth,
and weighing 42lbs., caught a mile below Yarmouth bridge in the
harbour.
May 10th. Expedition, consisting of 105 transports,
under Admiral Keats, left the Roadstead for the Baltic and the
protection of Sweden. Sir John Moore commanded the
troops. He sailed in the “Mars,” and
Major-Generals Paget and Murray in the
“Audacious.”
Aug. 20th. First pile of the present Jetty driven, and
finished building and opened to the public Jan. 13th, 1809, at a
cost of £5,000; 450 ft. long, and platform 21 ft.
wide. Extended 60 ft. in 1846 at a cost of about
£900, and again 60 ft. in 1870 at a further cost of
£859 10s. Constructed on the site of one built in
1560.
Charles Townshend, Lord Bayning, High Steward of the
Borough.
Shropshire and Cambridgeshire Militia left the town.
Jan. 28th. Owing to a rapid thaw and the inundation of
the meadows the barges proceeding from Norwich to Yarmouth were
obliged to return, because the men were unable to find the
channel of the river.
Oct. 25th. Fiftieth anniversary of George III.’s
reign celebrated in Yarmouth as a jubilee.
One thousand four hundred and sixty-four pounds of fresh
salmon from Scotland landed in one day, and sold in Yarmouth
market owing to the embargo on all shipping.
A very productive herring fishery.
May 10th. Vice-Admiral Sir J. Saumarez’s fleet
left the Roadstead for the Baltic; also the “Victory”
(100 guns) and seven other sail of the line.
May 20th. The Eight Hon. Charles, Lord Bayning, of
Honingham Hall, a Privy Councillor and High Steward of Yarmouth,
died in London, aged 81 years.
Aug. Yarmouth Annual Races first established by the
Officers of the Berkshire Militia.
Berkshire Militia left the town.
Mrs. Hunter died, aged 102.
By the Paving Act, provision was made against placing
materials on the Quays or other public places for a longer time
than was necessary for removing and housing the same.
Nov. 2nd. The Beach from Yarmouth to Wells covered with
wrecks and dead bodies after a heavy gale. Another gale and
high tide on the 10th, and many vessels and lives lost.
Nov. 14th. Gustavus Adolphus IV., ex-King of Sweden, who
had abdicated his throne, landed on the Beach from the sloop
“Tartar.” He assumed the title of Count
Guttorp, and afterwards proceeded to London.
March 28th. Count Guttorp sailed from Yarmouth on his
return to the Continent.
Vice-Admiral Murray appointed to the Naval command of
Yarmouth. In 1815 Admiral Drake was appointed Port-Admiral
of Yarmouth, the last who held the appointment.
Census taken. Population of Yarmouth, 17,977; with
Gorleston and Southtown, 19,691.
The Royal Hospital or Asylum built by Government at a cost of
£120,000. Foundation-stone laid by Admiral Billy
Douglas in 1809. (See 1815.) The building was erected
by Mr. Peto (father of Sir S. Morton Peto), from designs by H.
Parkington, Esq., for a naval Hospital. The 11 acres of
ground to the east cost the Government £11,000 in 1875.
March 13th. The South Gate sold for £26 to
Jonathan Poppy.
July
27th. General Viscount Cathcart’s embassy to the
Court of Russia left the Roadstead in the frigate
“Aquilon.” Lord Walpole, secretary of Legation
to Lord Cathcart, sailed in the “Calipso” to the
headquarters of the Russian army.
Oct. 6th. Edmund Knowles Lacon and William Loftus,
Esqs., returned to Parliament. Votes—Lacon, 607;
Loftus, 387; G. Wilson, 329.
Oct. 26th. Tremendous gale, and eight vessels driven
ashore in the vicinity.
A. Royals died, aged 103.
Feb. A high wind blew down and completely demolished the
Conventual Church at Gorleston, dedicated to St. Nicholas.
Feb. 18th. Gorleston steeple (about 100 ft. high), which
stood near the Haven’s mouth as an immemorial sea-mark, was
blown down in a gale.
March 24th. Volunteer Corps of Infantry disbanded, and
deposited their arms in store on the establishment of the local
Militia.
April 15th. Prince of Orange landed at the Jetty.
April 29th. H.R.H. the Duke of Cumberland arrived at
Yarmouth, and embarked on board the frigate “Nymphen”
for the Continent.
July 4th. News of Wellington’s victory over the
French at Vittoria in Spain received here with great
rejoicings.
Aug. 10th. First steam barge proceeded from Yarmouth to
Norwich at the rate of five miles per hour.
Sept. 29th. Regent Street formed and opened at a cost of
£30,000. Before the opening of this street there was
no roadway between King Street and the Quay, except
Fuller’s Hill and Friar’s Lane, the latter of which
was widened in 1866.
Nov. 14th. Great rejoicing at Yarmouth on the splendid
victories gained over the French in Spain and Germany.
The Lancasterian or British School erected; enlarged in
1861.
William
III. landed at the Jetty.
North Mayo Militia left the town, and the Wexford Militia the
following year.
Sept. 3rd. John Hannah (70) tried at the Yarmouth
Sessions for the murder of Elizabeth, his wife, he being the last
man executed in the town for murder. A bill issued, with
the imprint of Clark, Broad Row, Yarmouth, read as follows:
“Monday Morning, Sept. 6th, at about 11
o’clock. Everything being ready, the prisoner,
attended by the gaoler and a number of constables, with a great
concourse of spectators, moved from the Gaol at 11.15. They
went at a slow pace, and at the entrance of Regent Street were
joined by the Mayor and other Borough Officers. It was past
12 o’clock when the prisoner arrived at the place of
execution; on his way thither he was perfectly composed, turning
from one side to the other, viewing the populace. After
ascending the scaffold, he spent some time in prayer, and when
the hangman had placed the rope round his neck, he was asked if
he had anything farther to say. He then confessed as
follows: ‘That he was the murderer of his wife by
strangling her with his hands, and not with a rope, as had been
stated; he said they had lived a very uncomfortable life for many
years past, owing to his wife giving her company to other men,
which was the cause of his committing the murder.’
The instant before being turned off, he particularly requested to
see his daughter, when he was informed it was not possible, as
she was confined in Bedlam; he also desired the gaoler to look
under the step of the cell, and he would there find four
shillings and sixpence. A signal was then given, and the
unhappy man was immediately launched into eternity. The
body, after hanging the usual time, was delivered to the surgeons
for dissection. The gaoler, on his return, found the money
as described in the cell.”
July 6th. Peace proclaimed at Yarmouth; Mayor and
Corporation went in procession, and at night the town was
illuminated.
The
Duke of Clarence (afterwards King William IV.), accompanied by
his Duchess (Queen Adelaide), landed at Yarmouth, and stayed one
night at the “Angel Hotel.”
March 11th. Henry Joddrell, Esq., Bayfield Hall, many
years Recorder and Representative of Yarmouth, Chairman of the
Norfolk Quarter Sessions, died in London.
April 21st. Restoration of Louis XVIII. to the throne of
France. The inhabitants of Yarmouth subscribed £1,106
8s. 6d., for providing a grand dinner to all the inhabitants who
chose to partake of it. Fifty-eight tables were spread in
the open air along the Hall and South Quays, at which 8,028
persons were seated, and made an excellent dinner of roast beef
and plum-pudding. A man personating Neptune in a car
attended by Tritons and other deities paraded the town, headed by
a band of music. In the evening a large bonfire was made on
the North Denes, in which the effigy of Napoleon was consumed
amidst much rejoicing, and in the presence of nearly 30,000
persons.
July 14th. First division of West Norfolk Militia landed
at Yarmouth from Edinburgh, and marched to Norwich, and joined
their Colonel, the Earl of Orford.
Aug. 11th. The Hon. John Wodehouse proposed, and T. W.
Coke, Esq., seconded, resolutions recommending that a
subscription should be opened for erecting a monument at Yarmouth
to the memory of the late Lord Nelson. Lord and Lady
Wodehouse, the Hon. Colonel Wodehouse, and Mr. and Miss Coke
headed the list with £700. The Corporation of Norwich
subscribed £200. (See Aug. 15th, 1817.)
Jan. 24th. A sea-eagle shot at Rollesby, which measured
from tip to tip of its wings 7 ft. 6 in.
May 10th. Sharp press for seamen at Yarmouth.
John Thomas Townshend, Viscount Sydney, High Steward of the
Borough. He died in 1831.
Six hundred wounded men from Waterloo lodged in the Naval
Hospital. (See 1811.)
March
29th. The Nelson Monument Committee at Thetford, after
inspecting 44 beautiful plans and designs, selected an Athenian
Doric Column, sent by William Wilkins, Esq., architect, of
London, a native of Norwich, and author of “Magna
Græcia.” Nearly £7,000 was
subscribed.
Feb. 16th. Very high tide, the sea and river meeting
over the South Denes. A similar event had not occurred
since Feb. 3rd, 1791.
Feb. 19th. Corporation petitioned Parliament for a
continuance of the Property Tax.
Feb. 26th. Mr. Incledon, Master Taylor, and Mr. Collyer
appeared at the Theatre Royal, in The Minstrel; or,
a Tour Through England and Ireland.
Prices—4s., 3s., 2s. 6d., and 1s.
Nov. 2nd. Thomas Penrice, Esq., of Yarmouth, to whom the
late Lord Chedworth, of Ipswich, left the bulk of his immense
property, died at Narford Hall, the seat of A. Fountaine, Esq.,
his son-in-law. (See Oct. 28th, 1804.)
Jan. 1st. £1,000 subscribed at Yarmouth to relieve
and employ the labouring poor; 460 men were employed to form
roads to the Bath House, Jetty, &c.
Feb. 4th. The Corporation voted a loyal address to the
Prince Regent, expressive of their abhorrence of the attack made
upon his Royal person on his return from opening Parliament on
the 28th ult. Presented at the levée by Isaac
Preston, Esq. (Mayor), accompanied by the High Steward and the
Members for the Borough.
Feb. 13th. The new silver coinage of crowns,
half-crowns, shillings, and sixpences exchanged for the old at
the Town Hall.
Between 7,000 and 8,000 lasts of Herrings taken by 193
boats.
An Act passed to continue two former Acts for widening and
amending the road from Yarmouth Bridge to Gorleston.
April
4th, Good Friday morning. Explosion on board the Norwich
and Yarmouth steamer—ten persons killed and five
injured—just as she was leaving the Foundry Bridge,
Norwich. She had 22 men, women, and children on
board. £350 raised for relief. These steamboats
were first employed on Aug. 10th, 1813.
June 5th. The celebrated Mr. Betty performed at the
Theatre in the Iron Chest, as “Sir Edward
Mortimer;” and as “Frislam Fickle,” in The
Weather Cock.
June 11th. Mr. Matthews appeared at the Theatre as
“Goldfinch,” in the Road to Ruin; and as
“Somno,” in the Sleep Walker. On 12th,
as “Sir David Dundee,” in Ways and Means,
“Chip,” in A Chip of the Old Block, and
“Buskin,” in Killing no Murder. On the
16th, as “Rover,” in Wild Oats; and in the
Adventures of a Mail Coach.
June 23rd. Munden appeared at the Theatre as “Sir
Abel Handy,” in Speed the Plough, and as
“Crack,” in the Turnpike Gate. On the
25th, as “Old Rapid,” in a Cure for the
Heartache, and as “Dozey,” in Past Ten
o’clock. On the 26th, as “Sir Anthony
Absolute,” in the Rivals, and as “Sam
Dabbs,” in Who’s Who? On the 28th, as
“Bonus,” in Laugh When You Can, as
“Nipperkin,” in the Rival Soldier, and
“Lazarillo,” in Two Strings to Your Bow.
Aug. 15th. First stone of Nelson Monument laid by Col.
Wodehouse. The column is 144 ft. high, ascended by a flight
of 217 steps. The architect was Mr. Wm. Wilkin, R.A., a
Norfolk man. There was a grand civic, military, and masonic
procession from the Town Hall. After the ceremony, the
Mayor, (Isaac Preston, Esq.) gave a dinner to the company; and in
the evening he gave a grand ball to 350 of the
élite, at the Town Hall.
The Rev. Fisher Watson, M.A., elected minister of St.
George’s Chapel, on the death of the Rev. S. L. Cooper in
June. On Aug. 9th, 1821, the Rev. John Homfray, and April
16th, 1833, the Rev. Mark Waters, were appointed at salaries of
£100 per annum.
Aug.
20th. The great Edward Kean appeared at Theatre Royal in
Richard the Third, when nothing but full prices were
taken—Lower Boxes, 5s.; Green, 4s.; Pit, 3s.; Gallery,
1s.—and part of the Pit taken into the Boxes, and part of
the Gallery railed off for the use of the Pit. Free list
suspended during the engagement. On the 21st, Mr. Kean took
the character of “Sir Giles Overreach,” in New Way
to Pay Old Debts. On the 22nd, in Othello.
On Sept. 5th, “Shylock,” in the Merchant of
Venice. On Sept. 6th (Mr. Kean’s benefit) he
appeared as “Octavia,” in the Mountaineers,
and as “Paul,” in Paul and Virginia.
Nov. 19th. The remains of Princess Charlotte interred at
Windsor. The bells tolled, the shops closed all the day,
and the day solemnly observed.
Dec. 3rd. The Corporation voted addresses of condolence
to the Prince Regent and Prince Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg on the
death of Princess Charlotte.
Dec. 31st. At the Concert Room, Mr. Matthews, the
celebrated Irish comedian, appeared in the entertainment of the
Union, of the English, Irish, and Scotch characters.
Jan. 19th. £6,000 subscribed for aiding a plan to
extend the navigation of the River Waveney from Bungay to Diss by
the inhabitants of Yarmouth at a meeting at the New Hall.
March 4th. Several ships driven ashore in a heavy gale
from the south-east.
June 1st. Miss Bryne sustained the part of
“Adela,” at the Theatre Royal, in the Haunted
Tower. On the 2nd, in Love in a Village as
“Rosella,” and in No Song No Supper the part
of “Margaretta.” On the 4th,
“Rosina,” in Rosina, and
“Leonora,” in the Padlock. On the 6th,
“Lilla,” in Siege of Belgrade, and
“Virginia,” in Paul and Virginia.
June 8th. Mr. Bartley appeared at the Theatre Royal as
“Sir John Falstaff,” in Henry IV. On the
9th, as “Solas,” in Every One has His Fault,
and “Michael,” in the Adopted Child. On
the 11th, “Sir John Falstaff,” in the Merry
Wives of Windsor. On the 13th, as “Governor
Heartall,” in the Soldier’s Daughter.
June 19th. Hon. T. W. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq.,
returned to Parliament. It was a three days’ poll,
and one of the severest contests ever known in the Borough.
Anson polled 780; Rumbold, 760; E. K. Lacon, Esq., 651; General
Loftus, 612.
Aug. 3rd. At the Theatre Royal, Mr. Blanchard, of Covent
Garden, appeared in the Soldier’s Daughter, as
“Governor Heartall,” and “Crack,” in
Turnpike Gate. On the 5th, as “Dr.
Ollapod,” in the Poor Gentleman; and
“Abnego,” in the Jew and Doctor. On the
6th, as “Tobby Allspice,” in The Way to get
Married, and “Caleb Quotem,” in the Wags of
Windsor. On the 8th, “Dr. Panglos,” in the
Heir at Law, and “Davy,” in Bon
Ton.
Sept. 4th. Miss O’Neil appeared at the Theatre as
“Belvidere,” in Venice Preserved. On the
5th, as “Juliet,” in Romeo and Juliet.
On the 7th, as “Mrs. Haller.”
Sept. 30th. Lord Viscount Anson died in London, aged 57;
and the newly-elected Member of Parliament succeeded to the
title.
Oct. 3rd. Sir Edmund Lacon, Knt., of Great Yarmouth;
Thomas Hare, Esq., of Stow Hall; and Edward Stracey, Esq., of
Rackheath Hall, created Baronets.
Dec. 2nd. The day of interment of her late Majesty Queen
Charlotte at Windsor, observed with great solemnity.
Addresses of condolence to the Prince Regent on the death of her
late Majesty were voted by the Corporation of Yarmouth on the
7th.
John Bennie, Esq., engineer to the Haven Commissioners, drew
up a report for improving the Bar and Haven. On 4th of
Oct., 1821, he died in London, aged 64.
The Yarmouth Savings Bank established. The deposits in
1843 amounted to £80,246 19s. 7d., belonging to 2,550
depositors and 67 charities and friendly societies.
Nearly 100 vessels building at one time in our shipyards.
The
gun-brig “Havoc” built in Mr. Stone’s yard.
Borough Gaol enlarged and House of Correction added; it was
strengthened in 1835. The original built 609 years
previously.
Feb. 15th. The Hon. George Anson unanimously elected
Member of Parliament for the Borough (there being no other
candidate), in the room of his brother, Lord Viscount Anson.
April. Velocipedes or Pedestrian Hobby-horses used this
year. A person could walk from eight to ten miles an hour
on them. Like the Kaleidoscope, they proved only “a
nine-days’ wonder,” till 1872, when velocipedes again
came into general use.
June 1st. Mr. Thomas Sutton (as surveyor) died on the
top of the Nelson Monument, while giving directions. Aged
66 years.
June 14th. Mr. Edmund Kean again appeared at the Theatre
as “Brutus,” in Brutus; and on the 15th as
“Mortimer,” in the Iron Chest.
July 18th. Mr. N. B. Palmer presented with a piece of
plate (an épergne), value 100 guineas, for his exertions
in the election and firm support of his principles, which seated
the Hon. G. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., as Members for the
Borough.
Sept. 6th to 9th. The celebrated Young appeared at the
Theatre in Hamlet, Revenge, Macbeth, King
Lear.
Duty on coals, 6s. 6d. per chaldron.
Paxton’s “Picture of Great Yarmouth”
published, illustrated with engravings of public buildings.
Jan. 29th. Death of George III., in the 82nd year of his
age and 60th of his reign. On Feb. 1st George IV. was
proclaimed at Yarmouth with much ceremony and rejoicing.
Feb. 28th. Parliament dissolved; and on the 10th of
March, after four days’ sharp contest, the Hon. George
Anson and C. E. Rumbold Esq., were returned to Parliament for the
Borough. The Hon. G. Anson polled 754; C. E. Rumbold, Esq.,
752; Lieut.-General John Michell, 612; and J. H. Stracey,
Esq., 612 votes.
March 1st. A number of vessels stranded along the
Beach. A high flood and tremendous storm, the like not
known since Jan. 1st, 1779. On Nov. 4th there was another
great gale.
April 19th. Frigate “Boreas,” 28 guns,
launched from Messrs. Stone and Constance’s yard.
July 19th. Coronation day of George IV. at Westminster
Abbey, which auspicious event was celebrated at Yarmouth by a
public dinner at the Town Hall; bonfires, bullock roasting,
fireworks, and other rejoicings also marked the occasion.
Aug. 15th. A grand Musical Festival at the Town
Hall. The next morning, selections from the Messiah
were performed at St. Nicholas’ Church; on Wednesday at the
Town Hall; and again on the Thursday following the entire first
part of the Creation was executed at the Church, with two
miscellaneous acts selected from the Requiem, Mount of
Olives, Judas Maccabeus, Israel in Egypt, and
other esteemed compositions. The Church presented a very
brilliant appearance, from the number of lamps and candles with
which the orchestra (expressly built for the occasion) and the
other parts of the edifice were dedicated. Among the
eminent professors who aided in the festival was Lindley, the
celebrated violoncello performer; Mr. Eager, and his principal
second Mr. Cooper, conducted the instrumental band, and Mr. Buck
presided at the organ.
Aug. 20th. Mrs. Bartley recited Collins’ Ode to
the Passions, at the Theatre Royal.
Sept. 6th. Mrs. Davidson appeared at the Theatre Royal
in the Jealous Wife, as “Mrs. Oakley.”
On the 7th, in The Belle’s Stratagem, as
“Letitia Hardy.” On the 9th, in The School
for Scandal, as “Lady Teazle.” On the 11th,
in Know Your Own Mind, as “Lady Bell.”
Nov. 3rd. Sir Edmund Lacon, Bart., died at Yarmouth,
universally regretted, aged 69 years. He was the senior
Alderman of the Borough.
Feb. 28th. An unusual supply of herrings caught off
Yarmouth; and sold in the town twelve for one penny.
March 13th. Petition presented by E. Wodehouse, Esq., to
the House of Commons from the owners and occupiers of land in the
vicinity of Yarmouth, praying for a repeal of the Malt-tax, and a
modified tax on property.
April 10th. A committee appointed and subscription
entered into for forming a fund for rewarding boatmen who might
save persons from shipwreck.
Nov. 4th. Tremendous gale—a great number of
vessels foundered in the Roadstead, and also many came ashore
near Yarmouth. It was just such another gale as was
recorded Nov. 1st, 1789.
Dec. 23rd. A fine new East Indiaman, the
“Indian,” 400 tons, totally wrecked off
Yarmouth. The crew of twenty were saved, and a small part
of the stores. The value of ship and cargo estimated at
£10,000.
Dec. 25th. Season unusually mild; the thermometer stood
at 50, and so continued throughout the following winter
months. Many remarkable specimens of early vegetation; and
swallows were seen flying about at Yarmouth. Since the 1st
of Sept. there had been but eighteen days without rain.
There were 1,229 men, women, and children receiving out-door
parish relief; and the income of the parish was
£10,770. The income in 1875 was about £15,000 a
year.
Census taken. Population of Yarmouth, 18,040; with
Gorleston and Southtown, 19,968. Houses inhabited, 3,981;
inhabited by families, 4,318; uninhabited, 157; building,
20—total, 8,476.
Jan. 31st. George IV. arrived, and anchored his vessel
in the Roads.
July 29th. Samuel Tolver, Esq., elected Town
Clerk. He was succeeded by Henry Palmer, Esq., on June 6th,
1848; John Clowes, Esq., on Nov. 26th, 1850; and Chas. Cory,
Esq., on Nov. 9th, 1851. (See June 9th, 1869.)
Oct.
14th. The Revenue cutter “Ranger” lost at
sea.
Oct. 21st and 22nd. Miscellaneous concert, under the
direction of Mr. Sippe, given at the Theatre. Leader, Mr.
Eager. The principals were Mrs. Salmon and the Misses Sapis
and Beale.
Exported from the Port of Yarmouth—flour 105,377 sacks;
barley, malt, oats, beans, pease, rye, and wheat, 298,147
quarters.
J. Matchett, of Lakenham, published “The Norfolk and
Norwich Remembrancer and Vade Mecum.”
March 3rd. Samuel Hurst, Esq., died at Southtown.
Exported from the Port of Yarmouth—flour 126,768 sacks;
barley, malt, oats, beans, pease, rye, and wheat, 264,546
quarters.
Grout and Co.’s Silk Crape Factory erected.
Admiralty Sessions for trial of Pirates last held in
Yarmouth.
Porpoise found on the Beach—7 ft. long, and weighing 4
cwt.
Masonic Hall erected in Gaol Paved Row.
James Sayer, son of a Yarmouth block-maker, a celebrated
caricaturist, and author of many satirical poems suitable to the
political topics of the times, died in London.
Exported from the Port of Yarmouth—flour 148,252 sacks;
barley, malt, oats, beans, pease, rye, and wheat, 326,789
quarters.
Gas Works constructed; enlarged in 1862 and 1864, and new
additional works afterwards erected. About five miles of
the main iron pipe were laid in the streets, and on Dec. 6th the
street lamps, 150 in number, were first lighted.
Five beachmen drowned in rescuing a crew.
Luke Waller died, aged 105 years.
The number of vessels of all classes registered at the Custom
House amounted to 549.
Sept. 3rd. Miss Cranmer appeared at the Theatre Royal in
Don Giovanni; and “Adela,” in the Haunted
Tower.
Sept. 8th. Mr. Chippendale played “Useph,”
in The Siege of Belgrade; and “Chip,” in a
Chip of the Old Block, at the Theatre Royal.
Oct. 11th. The Catholic Chapel, in George Street (the
first built in the town), finished, and consecrated by the Rev.
Joseph Tate.
The mackerel brought to Yarmouth realized £17,000.
River overflowed the Quays and entered the houses and stores,
doing much damage.
M. A. Jefferies threw himself from the bridge.
May 15th. Lord Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., presented
with the freedom of the town, and returned to Parliament June
9th. Votes—R., 649; A., 645; Sir E. K. Lacon, 250;
Lord Suffield, 250.
May 25th. The old Crane on South Quay blown down during
a heavy gale of wind, and a new one erected at a cost of about
£1,400.
Mariners’ Chapel built by George Palmer, Esq., service
having previously been held in a vessel named the
“Ark,” which fell into decay and so became
useless.
“Historical and Topographical Notices of Great Yarmouth
and its Environs,” by John Henry Druery, published.
The work was dedicated to the Right Hon. George William, Lord
Stafford, Baron Stafford and Baronet, of Costessey Park,
Norfolk.
Feb. 6th. Mary Welch died, aged 73 years, leaving 102
children and grandchildren.
Vaughan and Murphey, two noted resurrectionists, stole several
bodies from St. Nicholas’ churchyard, and caused great
excitement in the town. The railings on the west side were
subsequently erected in consequence.
Mr. David Service, the Yarmouth poet, died.
May 29th. The bells rang out a merry peal on the opening
day of the Suspension Bridge. This structure, on the North
Quay, was made chiefly of iron, and thrown across the river Bure
by Robert Cory, Esq., under the powers of an Act of Parliament
passed in the year 1827. It cost about £4,000.
Feb. 8th. Intense frost; river frozen as far down as the
Public Library.
July 31st. Hon. Colonel G. Anson and C. E. Rumbold,
Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes—A., 946; R., 945;
H. Preston, 751; T. E. Campbell, 754.
Launches: March 8th, schooner “Sea Witch;” March
15th, brig “Ocean,” from Mr. Palmer’s yard;
Aug. 1st, brig “Earl Grey,” from Mr. Teasdel’s
yard.
March 15th. Marriage at Stokesby Church of Samuel
Taylor, only son of Wm. Huke, of Yarmouth, with Charlotte Crowe
Norton, of Stokesby.
May 2nd. Hon. G. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq., again
returned to Parliament.
July 7th. First stone of St. Peter’s Church laid,
and finished building and consecrated Aug. 26th, 1838. Cost
£12,000.
Sept. 12th. Mr. Power, of Covent Garden, appeared at the
Theatre Royal, as “Colonel O’Dillon,” in The
Married Lover.
Census taken. Population of Yarmouth 21,115; with
Gorleston and Southtown, 28,231.
St. Mary’s Church, Southtown, erected. Site
presented by the Earl of Lichfield; cost, raised by subscription,
about £3,000.
April 3rd. The Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew appointed
Chaplain of St. Nicholas’ Church, at £40 per
annum.
April 17th. Mr. Wm. Hazard died, aged 72 years.
May 27th. Messrs. Grout and Co.’s Silk Crape
Factory burnt down. Present one erected in the same
place. A Hospital originally stood here. (See
1828.)
Oct.
11th. Russian Horn Band Concert at the Town Hall.
Dec. 11th. The Hon. G. Anson and C. E. Rumbold, Esq.,
returned to Parliament, after the passing of the Reform Bill.
Edw. Pellew, Admiral Viscount Exmouth, High Steward of the
Borough.
District Visiting Society established, and failed for want of
support; but another attempt was made to re-establish it April
10th, 1861.
Yarmouth Glee Society gave their first concert.
By Municipal Reform Act the rest of Gorleston parish added to
Yarmouth Borough.
Launches: Jan. 18th, schooner “Cornelia” from Mr.
Holmes’ yard; May 6th, brig “Hudson” from Mr.
Preston’s yard; July 12th, schooner “Abeona”
from Messrs. Fellows’ yard; July 21st, brig
“Margaret” from Messrs. Fellows’ yard; same
year the barque “Harmony;” Dec. 10th, schooner
“Fairy Queen,” and Dec. 12th, brig
“Pioneer” from Mr. Lubbock’s yard.
Bishop of Norwich inspected the plate at St. Nicholas’
Church and St. George’s Chapel.
Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford, High Steward of the
Borough.
Jan. 15th. Divine Service performed in the Chancel of
St. Nicholas’ Church for the first time.
Jan. 24th. Brig “Pioneer,” of Yarmouth,
stranded near the Dungeness Light.
May 12th. Proprietary Grammar School at Southtown
opened. It was demolished in July, 1858, to make room for
the Goods Station of the East Suffolk Railway. The school
cost £1,500.
June 16th. Yarmouth and Southtown Ferry opened.
Aug. 1st. First Annual Marine Regatta held.
The Fort removed.
Launches: May 18th, brig “Alexander,” from
Mr. Preston’s yard; June 21st, schooner
“Racer,” and Sept. 11th, schooner
“Maria,” from Mr. Lubbock’s yard; Sept. 17th,
brig “Vivid,” and Oct. 16th, schooner “Nora
Creina,” from Messrs. Fellows’ yard.
An inquiry opened at the Tolhouse Hall, before J. H. Hogg and
J. Buckle, Esqs., two of her Majesty’s Commissioners,
respecting the state of the Yarmouth Corporation. After
nineteen days’ inquiry, it was adjourned sine
die. The evidence adduced was published the same year
by Mr. Henry Barrett.
Jan. 7th. Thomas Baling and W. M. Praed, Esqs., returned
to Parliament.
Jan. 23rd. Lord Walpole and E. Woodhouse, Esq., returned
to Parliament.
April 7th. The “Baltic,”
“Venus,” and “Wellington” left the
Harbour with 200 emigrants for Canada.
Oct. 6th. Samuel Brock, a Yarmouth beachman, with a
company, went off in the yawl “Increase” to the
rescue of the crew of a Spanish ship, about twelve miles from
land. They reached the vessel, and on returning in a squall
the yawl was capsized, and nine men were drowned. Brock,
the only surviving one, after battling with the waves for seven
hours, was safely taken on board the brig “Betsy,” at
1 a.m. the next morning, and put ashore at Lowestoft. (See
1873.)
Dec. 26th. In pursuance of the Act, 6 William 4th, cap.
76, for the better Regulation of Municipal Corporations in
England and Wales, the first Election of Councillors (under this
Act) took place, when the returns were as follows:—North
Ward—R. Hammond (108 votes), W. N. Burroughs (99), A.
Sewell (94), Chas. G. Doughty (91), Benj. Sherrington (90), E. H.
L. Preston (89). Market—Simon Cobb (135), Wm.
Johnson (134), Wm. Hammond (131), B. Cobb (129), Edw. N. Clowes
(128), Edw. Sewell (124). Regent—John
Brightwen (98), S. T. Palmer (98), S. Charles Marsh (98),
J. Tomlinson (98), Cufaude Davie (97), Benjamin Dowson
(95). St. George’s—C. Sayers (91), Wm.
Grave (91), G. Penrice (91), Wm. Barber (91), H. V. Worship (90),
T. Lettis (89). Nelson—G. D. Palmer (147), R.
Palmer Kemp (137), G. Garson (127), Matthew Butcher (124), John
Symonds (122), S. Robinson (118). St.
Andrew’s—J. S. Bell (115), T. Hammond (111), J.
W. Dowson (105), Wm. Barth (101), Hezekiah Martin (91), Patrick
Stead (87). At a Meeting of the Council, on the 31st Dec.,
1835, the following gentlemen were elected the Aldermen for the
Borough, viz.:—John Brightwen, Benj. Dowson, Captain Wm.
Larke, Richard Sibbs Lonsdale, J. B. Palmer, Joseph Starling,
Robert Teasdel, George Jeffries, Benjamin Fenn, Robert Wall,
Thomas Pitt, Charles Nichols.
The custom of electing Mayors by an inquest abolished.
They were elected previous to this date, Sept. 29th.
Scheme projected for supplying the Town with Fresh Water by
means of a Reservoir on the high lands at Burgh Castle, but
unsupported.
The Hon. and Rev. Edward Pellew, fourth son of Admiral Lord
Viscount Exmouth, appointed to the incumbency of St.
Nicholas’ Church, on the resignation of Mr. Turner.
The two stuffed figures representing John and Betty Goblett,
annually exhibited in front of Tolhouse Hall, prohibited being
placed there.
Capital Jurisdiction abolished.
William Barth, Esq., elected Mayor on Jan. 1st, and again on
Nov. 9th.
Feb. 27th. Brig “Isis” wrecked on the South
Beach. “The History, Gazetteer, and Directory of
Norfolk, including Great Yarmouth,” by Mr. William White,
of Sheffield, published; second edition in 1815.
Thomas William Anson, Earl of Lichfield, High Steward of the
Borough.
Great storm, twenty-three vessels stranded on Yarmouth Beach,
and upwards of forty lost on the coast.
The
last Market Cross removed.
Rev. R. Pillans, while driving his carriage into the Angel
yard, struck his head against a beam and broke his neck.
Nov. 12th. Captain William Watts died, aged 70
years.
Dec. 2nd. Brig “Valeria” launched from Mr.
Lubbock’s yard.
First stone of the Wesleyan Chapel laid. The building
cost £4,200.
On Queen Victoria ascending the Throne, C. E. Rumbold, Esq.,
was re-seated in Parliament, and the election of W. Wilshere,
Esq., secured as a colleague.
G. D. Palmer, Esq., appointed as a Magistrate.
Aug. 28th. William Wilshere again returned to
Parliament.
The new Workhouse opened. Cost of entire building up to
1860, about £10,000.
Sergeant John Wright died, aged 110 years.
The last of the Town Gates (Pudding) pulled down.
Yarmouth Hospital founded, mainly through the exertions of Mr.
Wm. Steward, and completed in 1839.
Crew of ten hands, drowned from the fishing lugger
“Walter and Ann.”
Feb. 14th. Brig “James,” of Yarmouth, lost
off the coast of Scotland.
March 7th. A tremendous hurricane, and the streets and
rows were strewn with débris from the roofs of
houses, to which much damage was done.
Sept. 25th. Arthur Beevor, Esq. died, aged 82 years.
Launches: June 13th, schooner “Rob Roy,” from Mr.
Lubbock’s yard; Aug. 29th, schooner “George
Lord,” from Mr. Preston’s yard; Oct. 2nd, brig
“Elizabeth,” from Messrs. Fellows’ yard; and
Nov. 11th, schooner “Star,” from Mr. Teasdel’s
yard.
Jan. 10th. The uniform penny postage first came into
operation, and excited a great deal of ridicule, and its speedy
failure predicted. Railways were in their infancy.
Book post established in 1855, and Postal Cards introduced in
1870.
Jan. 30th. William Finch-Crisp, the compiler of this
work, born at Hackney, afterwards lived at Erith, in Kent, for 11
years (where his father died on March 12th, 1850), and then came
to reside in Great Yarmouth at the end of the year 1854, at which
place he married Mary Ann, second daughter of the late Robert
Boyce Crisp, on June 25th, 1870. His dearly-beloved mother
died in Oxford on Dec. 5th, 1869, and her remains were interred
in Jericho Cemetery, Oxford.
Nov. 4th. A selection of sacred music from
Handel’s oratorios, Judas Maccabæus and the
Messiah, performed at St. Nicholas’ Church by the
Yarmouth Choral Society. Conductor, Mr. Woolman.
Price (by ticket only), 2s. 6d., and for young ladies and
gentlemen under 14 years of age, 1s. 6d.; book of words,
6d. Concert on behalf of Yarmouth Hospital and
Dispensary.
Dec. Mr. James Burman conducted a complete peal of Bob
Major on the Parish Church bells, composed of 5,040 changes,
which were rung in 3 hrs. 25 min. In Jan., 1843, was rung a
true and complete peal of Grandsire caters, containing 4,004
changes, in 3½ hours (composed by Burman), the only peal
of the kind on record; also, same year, a peal of Treble Bob
Royal, 5,040 changes, in 3 hrs. 35 min. (These records are
now in the belfry.)
The old Post Office in Row 63 removed to the Hall Quay.
The first office was in Row 107, about the year 1695.
John W. Shelly and Wm. Johnson, Esqs., were appointed
Magistrates.
Gorleston National Schools erected.
John Clowes, Esq., presented with the silver medal of the
Lifeboat Association for personal exertions rendered in the Nov.
gale.
March 22nd. First stone of the Victoria Buildings
laid.
June 29th. C. E. Rumbold and W. Wilshere, Esqs.,
returned to Parliament.
Nov. 14th. The Birmingham Gazette of 100 years
ago (1741) says:—“From Yarmouth we hear there are
great complaints this year in relation to their herring fishery;
their men being all pressed into the service, and only boys left
in the town for that employ.”
Nov. 18th. The barque “Iron Duke” came
ashore, and sunk near the Britannia Pier. (See Oct.,
1879.)
The Sawyers’ Arms public-house, Fuller’s Hill,
destroyed by fire, and the Albion Tavern subsequently built on
the site.
They were 49 persons in the Children’s Hospital, 223 in
the Workhouse, 6 in the Royal Hospital, 37 in the Borough Gaol,
134 fishermen, &c., in boats and barges, and 173 absent
mariners, according to return.
Launches: March 17th, the brig “Norfolk Lass,” and
May 24th, the barque “Maria Soanes.”
Richard Hammond, J. F. Costerton, E. H. L. Preston, J. C.
Smith, and W. Yetts, Esqs., were appointed as Magistrates.
Sir E. Lacon and Sons endeavoured to sink an Artesian well on
their premises, but an accident to the pipes after boring 600
feet caused the undertaking to be abandoned. Sand and
shingle were found to the depth of 111 ft., then 49 ft. of dark
sand, below this very fine clay to the depth of 350 ft., then a
layer of flints 5 ft. thick, and below them chalk, which was not
penetrated.
Census taken. Population, 24,529—10,780 males and
18,529 females; Gorleston and Southtown making an addition of
3,779—total, 28,038. Of the inhabitants of Yarmouth,
3,340 were not born in Norfolk, and 13,430 were above 20 years of
age—5,515 males and 7,915 females. Gorleston
comprised 3,201 acres of land, and had 6,223 houses; of the
latter, 5,408 were considered in Yarmouth, 164 were uninhabited,
and 61 building.
Lifeboat Station first established at Caister.
Deaths: John Berney Crome.—August 18th, Giles Borrett,
Esq., M.D.
Nov. 21st. First Concert of the Great Yarmouth Amateur
Musical Society given at the Town Hall. Leader of the band,
Mr. A. Suggate.
The present Hospital School erected on the site of the one
built in 1278.
The duties levied on vessels entering the Port and discharging
cargoes from the Roadstead amounted to £10,074 17s.
Police Court, Station House, and detention cells added to the
Town Hall. (See Sept. 30th, 1879.)
Corn Exchange, Regent Street, attached to the Commercial
Club-house, opened by a Company, to whom they both
belonged. The former pulled down in Jan., 1871, and a new
Post Office built.
Aug. 3rd. Children’s Hospital School opened after
its re-erection.
Oct. 15th. Sarah Martin, the prison visitor, died; and
in 1858 a memorial window to her memory was put in St.
Nicholas’ Church. She was born in 1791, at Caister,
and left an orphan at an early age.
The Round Tower near the Hospital built; ascended by a flight
of 42 stairs. It was built by the merchants and shipowners,
as an observatory tower, at a cost of £150.
May 1st. Railway between Norwich and Yarmouth opened,
and the event was marked with great festivity and
rejoicing. Messrs. Grissell and Peto contracted for the
work at £10,000 per mile. Previous to this, steam
packets plied twice a day on the Yare, between Norwich and
Yarmouth.
Oct. Fish Market erected and opened on the site of the
old one, but removed to widen the road.
Nov. 18th. Mrs. Harriet Chandler murdered in her grocery
shop in Howard Street by Samuel Yarham, who was tried at Norwich
on Mar. 27th, 1845, and executed there on April 11th. The
prosecution cost £542. (See Jan. 30th, 1882.)
Dec. 13th. Paget’s Brewery, North Quay, pulled
down.
Rev.
Henry Mackenzie, incumbent of Bermondsey, appointed to the
incumbency of St. Nicholas’ Church, but resigned in July,
1848, having the vicarage of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields,
Westminster, conferred upon him. On the 15th of February,
1870, the Town Council voted an address of congratulation on his
being appointed Suffragan Bishop of Nottingham. This was
the first appointment of a Suffragan Bishop in England for 200
years.
The Naval Hospital converted into a Lunatic Asylum. The
building was re-modelled in 1868, and 37 new wards added, by Mr.
G. Tyrrell. 80 inmates were received the same year (Sept.)
from Haslar, making a total of 169. (See 1811.)
The Mackerel exported realised this year £14,500.
Gorleston Museum, containing many works of art, curiosities,
antiquities, &c., established.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria passed through the Roadstead, on
her way from Scotland, within a short distance of the
shore. The Beach was lined with spectators, and several
pleasure boats went off close to the Royal yacht to testify their
loyalty.
Jan. 20th. Schooner “John,” of Jersey,
stranded on the South Beach.
Jan. 26th. The yawl “Phœnix” and seven
lives lost. Meeting convened on the 29th to relieve the
widows and orphans left destitute.
April 16th. First stone of Unitarian Chapel, Middlegate
Street, laid. Opened October 13th. Built on the site
of the Old Meeting House.
May 2nd. Fall of the Suspension Bridge. 400
persons precipitated into the water, out of which number 79 were
drowned. An immense crowd were attracted to the bridge and
its precincts by a fête on the River Bure. The bill
announcing the entertainment for the evening was headed,
“Is it to be a benefit or not?” and underneath it a
clown pointing to the above words. Then follows an address
by Mr. Nelson as “a candidate for public favour,” who
announces that “Friday night will be a grand banquet
night,” and adds, “The following extraordinary
fête will most positively be achieved, Mr. Nelson, the
celebrated clown and modern Yorick, will sail on the River Bure,
starting from Yarmouth Bridge to Vauxhall Gardens, at 5
o’clock on the above day in a common washing tub, drawn by
four real geese, elegantly harnessed and
caparisoned.” The tub was 18 inches deep. The
annexed verses were on either side of a wood cut of the
clown:—
Dear public, you and I of late
Have dealt so much in fun;
I’ll give you now a monstrous great
Quadruplicated pun—
Like a grate full of coals I’ll burn
A great full house to see;
And if I am not grateful too
A great fool I must be.
The following artistes were to appear at the Circus (a wooden
structure on the Theatre Plain)—Master Barlow, the four
sons of Siberia, Mr. Alfred Cooke, Signor Germani, Mr. Charles
Adams, Mr. George Cooke, Madame Culine, and Mr. W. Cooke.
Sept. 24th. Mr. Henry Teasdel’s warehouses
destroyed by fire.
Gorleston Wesleyan Chapel re-built.
Yarmouth exported 327,000 quarters of corn; and in 1855,
258,000 quarters.
Sept. 2nd. Burgh Castle sold to Sir J. Boileau, Bart.,
of Ketteringham.
W. H. Palmer, W. Thurtell, J. Fenn, B. Jay, and W. H. Bessey,
Esqs., were appointed Magistrates.
Lord Wodehouse, Lord Lieutenant of the County, died at
Kimberley.
County Court first held at Yarmouth.
Steamer “Enterprise” seized for smuggling tobacco,
and the engineer fined £100.
The Sea Wall in front of Britannia Terrace erected by C. Cory,
Esq. Cost £2,000.
June
17th. The schooner “Ann and Jane” launched from
Mr. King’s yard.
July 29th. Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Lennox and O.
Coope, Esq., returned to Parliament.
Aug. 31st. Jewish Synagogue, in Row 42, built and
consecrated. It was built on the site of a former one.
Nov. 29th. Cart-load of hay burned on the Hall Quay.
Deaths: June 6th, Capt. H. Barrett, ballast-master.—Dec.
24th, Admiral Sir George Parker, K.C.B.
April 8th. The brig “Agenoria” wrecked on
the North Beach.
May 17th. Address of Loyalty presented to her Majesty by
the Mayor.
June 30th. A Bill brought into Parliament depriving the
Freemen of Yarmouth of their votes. The number on the
Register was 1,106. Only such householders as were on the
Register allowed to vote at the ensuing election, when J.
Saunders and C. E. Rumbold, Esqs., were returned to
Parliament.
Aug. St. Nicholas’ Church re-opened after
restoration.
Sept. 22nd. Richardson’s Rock Band Concert at the
Town Hall.
Oct. 7th. Mr. Norman’s warehouse, in Blind Middle
Street, burnt down.
Lord Fairfax, with a large retinue, arrived in the town.
Nov. 6th. Murder at Stanfield Hall of Mr. Isaac Jermy
and his son, by James Blomefield Rush, who also wounded with
pistol shots the son’s wife and a domestic. The
victim’s family resided in Yarmouth. (See Dec. 27th,
1879.)
Deaths: Feb. 26th, at Southampton, Rev. H. G. Maul, formerly
curate of St. Nicholas’ Church.—Sept. 1st, Rev.
Alexander Creak.—Nov. 20th, James Gidney, Esq., at
Southtown.—Dec. 9th, John Lacon, Esq., at
Hopton.—Dec. 27th, James Norton Sherrington, Esq.
Feb. 12th. Stone coffin, containing a perfect skeleton
wrapped in hempen sackcloth, discovered in the north wall of St.
Nicholas’ Church.
The
Fishing boat “William Tell,” of Yarmouth (and crew),
lost off North Foreland.
Sept. 18th. Mr. John Driscoll buried in the Roman
Catholic Cemetery; this was the first interment there.
Nov. 15th. General Thanksgiving Day for Deliverance from
Cholera.
The remains of Bishop Stanley landed at the Crane Quay.
The new Bridge crossing the River Yare, and connecting
Southtown with Yarmouth, commenced. Cost £50,000,
including the site. 2,600 tons of stone and about 300 tons
of iron were used in the construction, the two leaves of iron
weighing about 45 tons each. (See 1427 and 1854.)
Jan. 28th. Parliamentary and Financial Reform Meeting
held at the Corn Hall.
Mar. 31st. Mr. Waters’ Mill burned down.
Sept. 5th. Primitive Methodist Chapel opened. The
Schoolroom adjoining was opened Oct. 29th, 1855, and cost about
£450. (See Aug. 3rd, 1874, and June 22nd, 1875.)
Sept. St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church
completed. Cost £10,000.
St. Peter’s National Schools erected.
Mr. Archard, with the assistance of Mr. C. C. Wilkinson (a
resident of Yarmouth in 1880, and a relative of Mr. J. W. Argyle,
of this town), brought out the invention for perforating postage
stamps. They were before this date cut up with
scissors. The former gentleman received a Government grant
of £4,000 as inventor, and the latter £150 for
constructing the machine. (See March 14th, 1881.)
Deaths: March 21st, William Glenister, Esq.,
architect.—March 24th, Rev. G. S. Barlow, rector of
Burgh.—June 7th, Capt. Larke, R.N.—July 11th, J.
Pritchard, Esq., surgeon.
Feb. 22nd. Sailors’ Riot for advance of
wages. 11th Hussars sent from Norwich to suppress it.
18 persons taken prisoners.
The
Duke of Northumberland awarded Mr. James Beeching 100 guineas for
the Best Model of a Lifeboat. There were 280 competitors
for the prize.
Census taken. The returns were as
follows:—Population of Yarmouth, 11,867 males, 15,014
females, total, 26,881—321 males included being at
sea. Gorleston, 1,195 males, and 1,391 females.
Southtown, 572 males, and 840 females. The number of houses
in Yarmouth was 6,328; and in Gorleston and Southtown, 948
houses—6,886 being inhabited.
Deaths: March 18th, Cufaude Davie, Esq., J.P., aged
56.—Oct. 23rd, Rev. J. Watson, D.D.—Lady Arabella
Parker.
Jan. 1st. A procession of sailors through the town.
Jan. 3rd. Mr. Ransom’s mill burned down.
Jan. 17th. Douglas’ Travelling Theatre arrived
here, and left on the 29th.
Jan. 18th. The brig “James and Margaret,” of
Newcastle, whilst passing through the Roadstead, was discovered
to be on fire, and she was run on shore opposite the Victoria
Hotel. The fire was got under, and she was towed into the
Harbour by the tug “Robert Owen.” After being
temporarily repaired was sent home.
Feb. 5th. Mr. Bales’ Ball at the Town Hall.
Feb. 12th. Seventh Anniversary and Conversazione of
Young Men’s Institute at Town Hall; Sir E. H. K. Lacon in
the chair. A splendid collection of British and Foreign
Goods, Pictures, and Curiosities were exhibited.
Feb. 20th. Mr. Ellis Mickleburgh, aged 80, accidentally
killed by Mr. Roll’s van on the Lowestoft Road.
Feb. Gersham Davie, master of the Charity School,
died.
Mar. 22nd. Jacobs, the Wizard, at the Theatre.
Mar. 22nd. Mr. Eccleston’s draper’s shop,
Broad Row, was destroyed by fire at 11 p.m.
April 11th. A fire broke out in a Malt House, in Row 70,
Howard Street. No material damage.
April
19th. Miss Fanny Kemble gave a Reading at the Town
Hall. Subject: As you Like it. On Sept. 8th,
another Reading from the Play of Measure for Measure.
May 17th. Grand Masquerade and Fancy Dress Ball at the
Theatre Royal
May 30th. Public Anti-Mormon Meeting on the Chapel Denes
for the purpose of exposing Mormonism. A Meeting also at
Masonic Hall on Aug. 30th.
June 25th. Musical Reunion Conversazione at the Bath
House Reading Room.
June 29th and 30th. Mr. Gill’s Midsummer Flower
Show at his Nursery, Regent Road. Admission, 6d. to the
Gardens.
July 8th. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., and C. E. Rumbold,
Esq., elected to Parliament for the Borough. They were
opposed by Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier and W. T. McCullagh,
Esq. Returns next day—L., 617; R., 547; M’C.,
523; N., 488. The proclamation was read on 2nd; hustings
erected on north-front of Town Hall on the 5th; booths erected on
6th; and nomination on 7th.
July 13th and 14th. Yarmouth Roads Regatta.
Aug. 12th. Flower Show at Vauxhall Gardens postponed
owing to bad weather, till next day.
Aug. 20th. Robbery at the shop of Mr. Mouse, George
Street.
Aug. 27th. Mr. W. Cook’s equestrian troupe entered
the town, and their marquee erected on the Chapel Denes.
Sept. 17th. Grand Balloon Ascent at 5.30 p.m., at the
Vauxhall Gardens by Lieut. Chambers, R.N., amid the cheers of a
vast multitude of people. It was postponed from the
previous day owing to the wet weather. (See July 27th,
1868.)
Dr. Alfred Impey died at Cove Hall, Suffolk, aged 38.
Oct. 7th. The Lord Bishop of Norwich and the Rev. W.
Hook, vicar of Leeds, and Chaplain to the Queen, preached at the
Parish Church on behalf of the New Priory Schools. Between
the services a cold collation was provided by Mr. Brown, of the
“Angel” Hotel.
Oct.
7th. Priory National Schools opened and the restoration of
the Old Hall celebrated. Built from a design by J.
Flakewell, Esq. Cost, 1,850. Library and Museum built
in 1868.
Nov. 18th. Funeral of the Duke of Wellington took
place. By request all shops in the town were closed.
Nov. 28th. Fire on the premises of Mr. J. W. Darnell,
baker, Howard Street.
Nov. 29th and 30th. Two Concerts at the Town Hall by Mr.
H. Phillips and his daughter.
Dec. 14th. Mrs. Swan gave a Reading from the Play of
Henry VIII. at the Town Hall.
R. Steward, T. Brightwen, B. Fenn, J. G. Plummer, J. Cherry,
and C. C. Aldred, Esqs., were appointed Magistrates.
Caister Castle sold by auction to John Gurney, Esq., of
Hoveton Hall. Norfolk.
Southtown Gas Works erected; enlarged in 1859. (See
March 23rd, 1876.)
Local Board of Health established, succeeding the Board of
Paving Commissioners.
June 28th. On Tuesday afternoon the ceremony of driving
the first pile of the Wellington Pier took place. The beach
and terrace were decorated with flags, &c. The pile
driven had a brass plate inlaid, bearing the following
inscription:—“This, the first pile of the Wellington
Pier, was driven on the 28th of June, 1853, by S. C. Marsh, Esq.,
Mayor of this Borough. David Waddington, Esq., M.P.,
chairman of the Company; Mr. Peter Asheroft, Engineer; and C. J.
Palmer, Secretary.” The procession from the Hall
comprised a body of police, then a band, followed by the Mayor
and Corporation, the Minister of the Parish, and the Town Clerk,
the Ancient Order of Oddfellows bringing up the rear. The
procession entered the Pier, marched to the far end, and there
several blows by the “monkey” were given to one of
the piles; speeches made, colours hoisted, guns fired,
&c. When they retired the public were admitted free.
The pier was decorated with flags and laurels.
Cosgrove’s brass band was in attendance. Grand dinner
at Victoria hotel at 8 p.m., and a ball at the Town Hall.
The pier, which cost £7,000, was opened to the public on
Oct. 31st, and the day being fine, the town was en
fête. The structure was not finished till
1854.
July 28th. Re-opening of the Particular Baptist Chapel,
after extensive alterations.
Aug. 27th. Mortlock Lacon, Esq., died at his residence,
Hall Quay, aged 66, and was buried at South Walsham.
Aug. Coast visited by a very heavy gale, and on Jan. 4th
of the following year, so boisterous was the wind that most of
the shops in the Market had to be closed, except the doors.
The market on Wednesday was suspended. The snow was of
great depth.
About 90 boats employed in the mackerel fishery, each carrying
ten men, and 65 trawling smacks, belonging to the Port of
Yarmouth. Sale of fish realised nearly £27,000.
A herring 17½ in. long by 7½ in. in girth, and
weighing 18 ozs., caught near Yarmouth.—In Nov., 1870, a
mackerel caught weighing 2 lbs. 11 ozs., length 19 in., and girth
10¼ in.
The herring fishery during this year was very
successful. About 100 sail of boats comprised the fleet of
herring craft. Seven boats belonging to Mr. Letts and Mr.
Skuckford brought in 650 lasts. The prices realised ranged
from £4 10s. to £24 per last. The following
ships left for different parts of the Mediterranean: Isis, 2,282
barrels; Fanny Palmer, 1,750; Acis, 1,488; Race Horse, 2,385;
Stamboul, 1,811; Clarissa, 400; Tyro, 2,342; Fegossa, 1,728;
Princess Royal, 1,480; Queen of the East, 1,925; Secret, 2,085;
Earl Leicester, 2,800; Isma, 2,930.
Sept. 18th to Dec. 18th. The quantity of herrings sent
by rail from Yarmouth:—To London, 202,844 packages,
weighing 7,559 tons; to Norwich, 3,873 packages, or 387 tons; to
Eastern Counties Railways, 18,298 packages, or 914 tons; Eastern
Union, 5,252, or 200 tons; to stations beyond Peterborough
on Midland, London and North-Western, and Great Northern, 51,782
packages, or 2,589 tons; herrings in bulk to Manchester,
Birmingham, Worcester, &c., 500 tons—total, 281,850
packages, or 12,189 tons in weight.
Sept. Mr. Peter Coble, Mayor’s officer, died.
Dec. 31st. The Icehouse, situate near the Vauxhall
Railway Station, was partly destroyed by fire. The roof
being thatched, it burnt very fiercely, so that engines were not
of much avail, and the fire continued burning all night, and up
to Sunday evening of New Year’s Day. It is now (1884)
occupied as a coal store.
July 19th. First stone of the Independent Chapel, King
Street, laid. Building opened in June, 1855; cost
£3,700, including site.
One hundred and eighty-four licensed public-houses and 50
beer-shops in the town.
George John Milles, Lord Sondes, High Steward of the
Borough.
Oct. 18th. The Southtown Bridge opened to the
public. (See 1849.)
Nov. 18th. Messrs. Gurneys and Co.’s Bank erected
and opened.
Jan. 1st. The town and neighbourhood visited with one of
the highest tides witnessed for many years. The wind blew
hard from N.W., and the moon was at the full. Some parts of
Southtown were inundated, as also the North Quay, reaching to the
Laughing Image Corner. It reached the north and south
terraces on the beach, and a large boat floated near the Holkham
Steps.
July 28th. First number of the Yarmouth Free
Press published; enlarged January 19th, 1856; and name
altered to Yarmouth Independent, June 27th, 1857.
(See August 14th, 1881.)
Aug. 11th. Collision between the Dover and Calais mail
steamer “Vivid” and the schooner “Henry,”
of Yarmouth, by which the latter was run down in Dover Roads.
Aug.
12th. Wesleyan Reform Chapel at Caister opened.
Aug. 20th. Affray with Militiamen. Several
influential gentlemen sustained severe injuries.
Aug. Laing’s Map of Yarmouth published. It
took fifteen months to complete, and cost £600. (See
March, 1856.)
Sept. 5th. Brig “Venilia” launched from Mr.
Rust’s yard.
Sept. 25th. Address voted by the Town Council to the
Queen, on the fall of Sebastopol.
Sept. 30th. National Thanksgiving Day for the successful
issue of the Crimean war.
Oct. 3rd. Three French gun boats came into the
harbour.
Oct. 6th. Russian schooner “Sampo” captured
by H.M.S. “Tartar,” and brought into our harbour.
Oct. 25th. Loss of the steamer “Isle of
Thanet,” off Yarmouth, and three lives.
Oct. 26th. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., entertained the
East Norfolk Militia at Hopton.
Oct. The New Cemetery walled-in, and consecrated by
Bishop Spencer, July 16th, 1856. (See Sept. 7th, 1876.)
Nov. 3rd. Two war-ships, “Phœnix” and
“Mæander,” anchored in the Roadstead.
Nov. 28th. Miss Fanny Kemble read Shakespeare’s
Julius Cæsar at the Corn Hall.
Dec. 17th to 20th. Heavy gales; fifteen vessels driven
ashore on the Beach.
Yarmouth Water Works Company completed laying the water-pipes
throughout the town, and opened the works at Ormesby.
Deaths: Jan. 25th, Rev. Lithgoe, minister of the Roman
Catholic Church.—April 24th, Charles Day, Esq.
The Rev. C. Smyth, formerly a curate of St. Nicholas’
Church, ascended to the summit of Monte Rosa and Monte Blanc.
The Yarmouth mackerel fishery realised a sum of £20,000,
and 14,045 tons of fish of all kinds were sent from this town by
rail. 20,248 barrels of herrings shipped at Yarmouth for
foreign ports.
The
Dene Well, Albion Road, covered up, and the ancient mode of
drawing water replaced by a pump, which was ordered to be removed
in Nov., 1876, on account of the impurity of the water.
Yarmouth Elocution Society established.
Jan. 30th. The Norfolk Artillery Militia left by rail
for the camp at Colchester.
Mar. 19th. Sarah Hunnibell attempted to set fire to the
Gaol.
Mar. J. Laing, Esq., appointed Town Surveyor of
Hastings, a similar office to which he had held for several years
in Yarmouth, and was succeeded by A. W. Morant, Esq. (See
Aug., 1875, and July, 28th, 1881.)
April 16th. Steam tug “Robert Owen” sunk at
the Haven’s mouth.
May 29th. Peace celebration at the conclusion of the
Russian War.
May. The Rev. J. H. H. McSwinney, minister of St.
Peter’s Church, presented with a silver salver before his
departure for Cronstadt. Appointed minister of St.
John’s on his return in 1884.
July 13th. Wesleyan Free Church, Regent Road,
opened.
Sept. 24th. First general meeting of the directors of
the Yarmouth and Haddiscoe Railway held at the Star Hotel.
Oct. 20th. Brigantine “Lizzie Lee” launched
from Mr. J. Powell’s yard.
Oct. 23rd. “Parallax” lectured at the Corn
Hall, and caused great excitement by his public discussions.
Nov. 25th. Very high tide and heavy gale.
Dec. Rev. W. D. Wade appointed to the incumbency of St.
Mary’s Church, Southtown.
Commander Kisbie, R.N., awarded by the National Lifeboat
Institution a medal for saving 90 lives.
Thirty thousand two hundred and twenty-seven barrels of
herrings shipped at Yarmouth for foreign parts.
Marine Parade commenced. (See Mar. 7th, 1876.)
Deaths:
Aug. 10th, Henry Humphrey, in the 100th year of his
age.—Aug. 21st, Captain Charles Pearson, aged 72.
Jan. 8th. “Volunteer” steam-tug on fire in
the harbour.
Jan. 13th. Inauguration Dinner of the Eastern Star
Provident Association Friendly Society held at the Corn
Hall. The society started with near 900 members in 12
branches established in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Jan. Rorqual whale, 45 feet in length, and weighing
about 20 tons, caught at Winterton, and exhibited on
Wrestler’s Plain.
Feb. 6th. Mr. J. B. Beales appointed Inspector of
Weights and Measures, succeeded by Mr. E. D. Louttid, who
resigned the office in Jan., 1871; and on Feb. 27th, 1871, Mr. F.
W. Robinson was appointed. (See 1874.)
Feb. 20th. Man-of-war ship “Blenheim,” 74
guns, anchored in the Roadstead.
Feb. 28th. The schooner “Branch” launched
from Mr. Fellows’ yard.
Mar. 1st. The iron screw-collier “Isby” run
ashore south of Caister.
Mar. 28th. E. Watkin and W. Torrens McCullagh, Esqs.,
returned to Parliament for the Borough, by a majority of
158. Parliament dissolved on Mar. 21st. Grand
procession of the United Seamen’s Association.
Mar. Mr. George Tewsley appointed Superintendent of the
Borough Police. (See 1872, 1877, and 1878.)
April. A fine sturgeon, a Royal fish, caught off
Yarmouth.
A mammoth tusk picked up at sea, which measured 4 ft. on the
bend and 21 in. in girth.
May 15th. Thackeray, the novelist, lectured in Yarmouth:
Subject—Georges III. and IV.
May 16th. Emily Major, dressed in male attire, attempted
to escape from Gaol.
May 27th. Two Russian trophies received at
Yarmouth. The Mayor applied to Lord Panmure for them in
June, 1856.
June
7th. Corner-stone of St. John’s Church laid.
This building, which cost £2,000, was opened Feb. 7th,
1858. In 1859 the southern aisle was added as a memorial to
the late Miss Maurice, and opened by Bishop Hills before his
departure for British Columbia.
June 8th. The Bill authorising the construction of the
Britannia Pier read a third time and passed. This Pier was
opened by a public company, July 13th, 1858, which has since
dissolved.
Aug. 28th. Meeting of the British Archæological
Association at the Town Hall.
Aug. 29th. The House of Commons decided the election to
Parliament of W. T. McCullagh and E. Watkins, Esqs., as
invalid. A. W. Young and J. Mellor, Esqs., were returned to
Parliament in their place; the next day a monster meeting,
between 10,000 and 12,000 people being present, was held on the
Quay. E. Watkin, Esq., was drawn by men, by means of a rope
attached to his carriage, from the Railway Station round the
town.
Sept. 15th. Two Prize Fights took place on the banks of
the Yare, between Batson and Slack, and Stamp and Turner.
Sept. 18th. Meeting at the Town Hall on the Indian
Mutinies; £233 17s. subscribed in the room for the
sufferers.
Sept. 24th. Organ at St. Peter’s Church
opened. It was built by Messrs. Bishop and Starr, at a cost
of £400.
Sept. 30th. Day of National Fasting and Humiliation.
Oct. 14th. Dinner given to Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., at
the Town Hall.
Oct. 22nd. Loss of the s.s. “Ontario” and 24
of her crew, on the Barber Sand. A dreadful gale and great
destruction to the shipping.
Oct. Government Schools of Art and Navigation
established, mainly through the exertions of the Rev. J. B.
Bampton.—Exhibition of Paintings, &c., held at these
schools in 1860. These schools occupy part of a Mansion
formerly the residence of the Paget family.
Oct.
29th. Demonstration of the Liberal party at the Town
Hall.
Nov. 12th. A warm Vestry Meeting (the second) at the
Town Hall for making a Church Rate of 1½d. in the £,
to include St. Peter’s. The report of the Church
property in the town was made by a committee appointed at the
first meeting, and it was resolved that no rate should be
made. The Church party demanded a poll, which lasted till
the following afternoon, but they lost it by 121 majority.
The Church party finding they were defeated, the Parish Church
and St. George’s Chapel Clocks were stopped till Dec. 22nd,
when they were set going after nearly six weeks’ rest.
Nov. 17th. T. P. Burroughs, Esq., passed his examination
for admission as a Solicitor.
Dec. 4th. The steamship “Rapid,” of Leith,
sunk on the Cross Sands, and in 1858 divers were employed to
raise some of her stores, consisting of wine, drapery goods,
hearthrugs, smoked meats, tins of herrings, &c., which were
sold at St. George’s Hall, Corn Hall, and on Hall Quay.
Jan. 1st. Fire in Jane Place, destroyed the roofing of
three houses, and entirely demolished the whole of a net
chamber. It originated in Mr. Moore’s workshop.
Jan. 11th. Testimonial, consisting of a splendid tea and
coffee service, with an oval 24-inch waiter, weighing 203 ozs.,
presented to B. Fenn, Esq., by the Fishermen’s Provident
Society.
Jan. 18th. The Aztec Lilliputians, the reputed Gods of
the Pagan Temple of Iximaya, exhibited at the Corn Hall, Regent
Street.
Feb. 11th. An Address voted by the Town Council to her
Majesty on the marriage of H.R.H. the Princess Royal to H.R.H.
Prince Frederick William of Prussia.
Feb. The Lord Chancellor appointed six (out of 15
candidates) new Magistrates for the Borough, viz., P. Pullyn, D.
A. Gourlay, F. Palmer, W. T. Clarke, J. Barker, and J. Owles,
Esqs.
Feb.
11th. The Town Battery ordered to be removed. The
materials were sold for £84 12s.
Mar. 8th. The Fermanagh Light Infantry Militia (845 rank
and file), commanded by Lord Enniskillen and the Hon. S.
Crichton, arrived in Yarmouth.
Mar. 14th. The “Frederica,” 420 tons
register and 600 tons burthen, launched from Mr. T.
Branford’s yard. Between 8,000 and 4,000 persons
witnessed the sight.
April 15th. Collision between the s.s.
“Ernestide” and the Prussian ship
“Thomas” off Yarmouth. The former
foundered.
April 22nd. St. John’s Church consecrated, and in
the same month the stone pulpit and the communion plate at this
church were bought out of the proceeds of sale of the book,
“Story of Samuel Brock.” The Church was opened
Feb. 7th; enlarged in 1859, 1866, and 1868.
May 4th. Riot at Southtown between the Fermanagh Militia
and some coalheavers.
May 19th. The brig “Nil Desperandum,” 800
tons register and over 500 tons burthen, launched from Mr. J.
Rust’s yard. Thousands of persons witnessed the
sight.
May 26th. The Corn Exchange, Regent Street, sold to R.
Steward, Esq., for £1,540; and in 1870 was purchased by
Government for the New Post and Telegraph Offices, &c.
June 10th. Sir E. N. Buxton, M.P., died at Cromer, aged
46 years.
June 15th. Congratulatory address voted by the Town
Council to J. Paget, Esq., on his appointment as
Surgeon-Extraordinary to her Majesty the Queen.
June 20th. Dawson Turner, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., F.R.S.,
&c., died at Brompton, aged 83 years, and his will was sworn
under £70,000 personality. He was born Oct., 1775, at
Yarmouth, where his father was a banker. He was educated at
the Grammar School at North Walsham, and entered Pembroke
College, Cambridge, in 1793. At his father’s decease
he became a partner in the firm of Messrs. Gurneys and Co., and
managed the Yarmouth bank. He married the daughter of the
late William Palgrave, Esq., of Coltishall. His library
comprised 40,000 volumes.
June 29th. County Election between Cooke and Stracey,
for the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Buxton. The
former returned by a large majority. Each party had a booth
in the Yarmouth Market Place.
July 4th. Rev. William Tritton, of Cambridge, preached
his first sermon at the Independent Chapel, King Street.
July 13th. Britannia Pier opened.
Déjeûner given in the afternoon on the Pier
to the shareholders and their friends, 150 in number. The
structure cost about £6,000.
July 16th. Grand Procession of the Freemasons to and
from St. Nicholas’ Church to the Town Hall, where about 125
gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner.
July 20th. Nottingham Order of Oddfellows opened a new
Court in Middlegate Street, and next day was publicly
commemorated by a procession through the town, headed by
Hulley’s Saxhorn Band.
July. Fifty-seven invalids, mostly Indian sufferers,
arrived at the military Hospital on the South Denes from
Chatham.
Aug. 26th. The Norfolk Hotel sold by auction to Messrs.
Hills and Underwood for £2,160.
Aug. 30th. G. Wells Holt, Esq., Magistrates’
Clerk, tendered his resignation to the Magistrates. He ably
filled the office for over 22 years. His son William
succeeded to the office, to whom a dinner was given at the
“Crown and Anchor” on Oct. 4th. (See Dec. 4th,
1884.)
Sept. 2nd. Riot in Charlotte Street and Broad Row with
the Fermanagh Militia. Tradesmen obliged to close their
shops.
Sept. 4th. Royal yacht “Grille,” belonging
to the King of Prussia, arrived in the Harbour.
Sept. 8th. Two Prussian frigates, “Thetis”
and “Gefion,” under the command of the High Admiral
Prince Adalbert, arrived in the Roadstead.
Sept.
23rd. The Louth Rifles, under the command of Sir John
Robinson, and comprising 500 men and 24 officers, arrived in
Yarmouth.
Oct. 1st. First Evening Service held at St.
George’s Chapel after the gas had been laid on.
Oct. 6th. An elegant Church Service, bound in turkey
morocco, presented to the Rev. Robert Boyle, LL.D., by the
inhabitants of Gorleston, as a farewell token of their
esteem.
Nov. 15th. The s.s. “Hunwick” sunk off the
Jetty. Ship and cargo valued at £8,500. The
crew saved.
Nov. The Rev. G. Hills, B.D. resigned the incumbency of
St. Nicholas’ Church, on his appointment to the Bishopric
of British Columbia. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was
conferred by diploma at a convocation at Durham on the 30th.
Nov. Mr. G. Dowey appointed Station Master, and resigned
in 1884.
Dec. 13th. The Rev. W. D. Wade, B.A., incumbent of St.
Mary’s Church, Southtown, presented with a purse of 60
guineas.
Dec. 23rd. S. C. Burton, Esq., solicitor, sworn as a
Commissioner to Administer Oaths in the High Court of Chancery of
England.
Dec. Rev. H. R. Nevill, incumbent of St. Mark’s
Church, Lakenham, near Norwich, appointed to the incumbency of
Yarmouth; and the Rev. G. I. Pellew, curate of St.
Nicholas’ Church, appointed to fill the vacancy at
Lakenham.
Dec. Mr. J. M. Petts, late chief officer at the Coast
Guard Station at Gillingham, Chatham, promoted by the Admiralty
to be chief officer of the Yarmouth Coastguard. In March,
1866, he was presented with a gold watch and guard (value
£65) and a silver cup (value £85), subscribed for by
121 gentlemen of the town, and presented at the Town Hall by the
Mayor (C. C. Aldred, Esq.), in recognition of many acts of
bravery in saving shipwrecked crews. He resigned the office
on Oct. 1st, 1870. From Oct. 5th, 1859, to Feb. 14th, 1870,
no less than 40 vessels were wrecked on the beach and off the
coast, from which Mr. Petts, in conjunction with those under his command,
was instrumental in rescuing 295 lives. Joined the service
June 22nd, 1827.
Deaths: Jan. 17th, Rev. J. Pike, the much-esteemed minister of
the Independent Chapel, Gorleston, died directly after leaving
the pulpit, where he officiated in the service.—Mar. 4th,
Sir Eton S. Travers, aged 69 years.—Mar. 15th, Mr. S. V.
Moore, a respected member of the Town Council.
The winter was remarkably fine, neither wind, rain, nor snow
interrupting fine weather till 31st March, when snow fell, and a
severe frost followed.
Jan. 1st. Sailors’ Home established. Its
completion on Feb. 2nd was celebrated by a tea given to a large
party of beachmen and their wives at the Norfolk Hotel. The
Home cost about £2,000.
Jan. 12th. Mr. James Buddrell, master of the fishing
vessel “Hosannah,” presented with a first-class
silver medal and diploma from the Emperor of the French for
saving the lives of 11 men, the crew of the French brig “La
Prospère,” off Hasbro’.
Jan. 12th. The Queen constituted the Colonies of British
Columbia and Vancouver’s Island to be a Bishop’s See,
and appointed the Rev. George Hills, D.D., to be ordained and
consecrated Bishop of it. This ceremony was performed at
Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishops
of Norwich and Oxford, on Feb. 24th. In Jan. Dr. Hills was
presented with a handsome communion service by the members of his
congregation, and on the 26th of May was presented at the Town
Hall with a testimonial, value £400, as a token of
esteem. He reached his new diocese in March, 1860.
Jan. 17th. The Rev. H. Hitcham died, aged 40 years.
Jan. 19th. The sloop “Eliza” launched from
Mr. J. Rust’s yard.
Feb. 10th. An Address voted by the Town Council to her
Majesty on the birth of a grandson, heir to the Throne of
Prussia.
Feb.
17th. Cuthbert Collingwood Hall, Esq., of Beach House, on
the Marine Parade, died at his seat, Collingwood Court, near
Windsor. Mr. Hall was one of the earliest advocates of our
Marine Parade, and gave £50 towards its construction.
He married the granddaughter and co-heiress of the celebrated
Admiral Cuthbert Lord Collingwood, who commanded at Trafalgar
after Lord Nelson received his death wound.
Feb. 20th. The “reading-in” ceremony and
first sermon preached by the Rev. H. R. Nevill at St.
Nicholas’ Church. The text chosen was 1 Cor. ii. 1,
2.
Feb. Portrait of Lord Sondes, High Steward of the
Borough, placed in the Town Hall.
Mar. 17th. St. Patrick’s Day was ushered in at
break of day by the band of the Louth Rifles playing through our
streets the Irish air dedicated to the patron saint.
Mar. 21st. East Suffolk Railway Bill read a third time
in the House of Commons and passed. The line was opened at
Southtown on the 1st of June.
April 5th. E. W. Watkin and A. W. Young, Esqs.,
addressed a large meeting of between 2,000 and 3,000 persons on
the Hall Quay; and again on the 15th.
April 13th to 16th. Charles Stratton, commonly known as
“General Tom Thumb,” with a company, gave an
entertainment at the Theatre.
April 19th. The “Athelstan” launched from
Messrs. Fellows’ yard. This fine vessel was commanded
by Captain John Braccy, of Yarmouth. (See Aug. 18th,
1882.)
April 29th. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., and Sir Henry J.
Stracey, Bart., returned to Parliament.—Votes—L.,
693; S., 653; Watkin, 568; Young, 537. This was the first
time of polling in wards. No hustings. Nomination
from the “Crown and Anchor” balcony.
May 12th. Cardinal Wiseman, accompanied by Lord Stafford
and a party of friends, paid a visit to Yarmouth.
May 26th. The house of Mr. Bradnum, at Gorleston, struck
by lightning, the fluid knocking a chimneypot through the roof,
smashing the windows and frames, and doing other damage.
May
27th. First meeting, called by the Mayor at the Town Hall,
respecting the enrolment of Rifle Volunteers at Yarmouth.
June 7th. Miss Ann Turner, daughter of the late Dawson
Turner, Esq., presented the Town Council with 17 rolls, &c.,
relative to the History of Yarmouth.
July 11th. Eighty invalids, mostly Indian sufferers,
arrived at the Military Hospital on the South Denes from
Chatham.
July. The schooner “Alma” brought to
Yarmouth nine 68 and one 54-pounder guns from Woolwich for the
North and South Batteries. There were six guns mounted on
each battery, namely, three 82, two 68, and one long 24-pounders,
some of them weighing as much as five tons.
July. B. Dowson and F. Worship, Esqs., appointed
Deputy-Lieutenants of the County.
Aug. 12th. The fine vessel “Himalaya,” 375
feet in length, with her saloon of 100 ft., brought a portion of
the Donegal Militia to Yarmouth, who were landed by the steam-tug
“Robert Owen” at the Barrack Wharf; and on the 14th
the vessel left, having previously embarked the Louth Rifles for
Preston.
Sep. 1st. Appointment of officers for the Rifle
Volunteers, and the services of the men accepted by
Government.
Sept. 7th. Rev. W. Griffiths, M.A., minister of the
Congregational body, ordained at King Street Chapel.
Sept. 12th. Fire at Mr. S. Ives’ premises, in
Howard Street; estimated damage, £150. Another fire
originated at the same place on June 5th, 1867, doing damage to
the amount of £600.
Sep. 26th. C. P. Molly, Esq., of Liverpool, contributed
a Mural Drinking Fountain for the Borough. R. Steward,
Esq., contributed one in Nov., which is now placed in front of
the Sailors’ Home.
Sept. 28th. Services of the Artillery Volunteer Corps
accepted by Government, and the appointment of officers
confirmed.
Sept. Water supplied by the Yarmouth Water Works Company
to the inhabitants of Southtown.
Oct.
8th. Riot in King Street with four of the Donegal Militia,
one of whom when in custody at the Police Station attempted to
set fire to his cell, and a melée took place before
it could be extinguished.
Oct. 25th. Violent gale, 14 lives lost off this coast,
and 80 shipwrecked seamen lodged at the Sailors’
Home. A sloop driven through the Britannia Pier and severed
it in two.
Nov. 30th. First stone of St. Andrew’s Church
laid. Contract for building was £1,050 10s. In
March, 1864, a schoolroom was built adjoining the church, which
cost £500 more.
Dec. 16th. The Norfolk Standard, published by Mr.
J. Cooper, was discontinued. The same publisher printed the
Yarmouth Weekly News and the Yarmouth Standard
previously.
Dec. 20th. Rev. F. W. Johnson, who was appointed in
Jan., 1858, minister of St. John’s Church, died in
London. By will he bequeathed £3,000 to endow the
Beach and Harbour Mission.
Dec. 27th. Jacob Astley, Baron Hastings, and a baronet
of England, died at his town residence, aged 62 years. He
was born on Nov. 13th, 1797, and was the eldest son of Sir Jacob
Henry Astley. The late lord married, on Mar. 22nd, 1819,
Georgiana Caroline, youngest daughter of Sir Henry W. Dashwood,
Bart., and sister of the late Marchioness of Ely. (See Dec.
24th, 1875.)
Francis Worship, E. P. Youell, and J. Clark, Esqs., appointed
as Magistrates.
Bastard shark caught off Yarmouth.
Thirty-two thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine barrels of
herrings shipped at Yarmouth for foreign ports.
Vice-Admiral Lovell, K.H., who had served under Nelson at
Trafalgar, died, aged 72.
New Lifeboat-house erected by the National Association at a
cost of £400.
Jan. 3rd. Three cases of wine, eight of spirits, and
five of oil, and a cask of vinegar, landed here, having been
picked up by the smack “Chance.”
Jan.
4th. Schooner “Hero,” of and for Yarmouth, went
ashore on Palling Beach and became a total wreck. Sold for
£9.
Jan. 20th. The people in Southtown alarmed by the report
of a “Spring-heel’d Jack” in the locality for
some days previous. The supposed fiend, who assaulted one
of the employés on the East Suffolk railway, and left him
insensible on the ground, was said to be a man clad in a white
tight-skin dress, and goat’s horns fixed to his head.
Jan. F. Palmer, Esq., appointed hon. surgeon to the
Rifle Volunteer Corps.
Feb. 2nd. The fishing lugger “Paymaster,”
belonging to Mr. B. Fenn, sailed from Yarmouth to Portsmouth, a
distance of 240 miles, in 23 hours.
Feb. 14th. A detachment of the Donegal Militia (162)
left Yarmouth for Deptford.
Feb. 16th. The premises of Messrs. Bullimore, West, and
Todd, coachbuilders, carpenters, &c., destroyed by fire.
Feb. 16th and 18th. Officers of the Donegal Militia
performed at the Theatre on behalf of the Hospital. Used
Up and the Irish Attorney were represented.
Feb. 17th. The fishing smack “John Bull”
driven on Yarmouth beach in a gale. The crew of five were
taken out of the rigging by a lifeboat crew, and all saved except
one boy. George Milligan, at the risk of his own life,
bravely rescued a helpless man who was lashed to the
rigging. In March, he and Capt. T. Davies, R.N., inspecting
commander of the Yarmouth Coastguards, received silver medals for
their bravery on this occasion, and the lifeboat crew
£24.
Feb. 24th. Enquiry opened in the House of Commons upon
the petition against the return of Sir E. Lacon and Sir H.
Stracey, Barts., as M.P.’s for the Borough. After
seven days’ investigation, the Chairman of the Committee
announced them as duly elected.
Feb. 28th. A tremendous hurricane, which for about
half-an-hour in the afternoon raged with the greatest fury, the
pressure per square foot being 30 lbs. The like not known
before for many years. In 1839 it reached only 28 lbs.
Feb. A beautiful silver épergne, of
Eastern design, representing a giraffe feeding under a palm tree,
presented to the Rev. J. B. Bampton on his leaving Yarmouth for
Dover, by the supporters and students of the Yarmouth Government
School of Art and Navigation, as a token of esteem.
March 7th. At a Levée at St. James’ Palace,
Captains S. C. Marsh and W. J. Foreman; Lieut. A. W. Morant and
Dr. Stephenson, of the 1st Norfolk Artillery Volunteers; and
Capt. J. H. Orde, Lieut. E. P. Youell, Ensign J. Tomlinson, and
Hon. Assistant Surgeon F. Palmer, 2nd Norfolk Rifle Volunteers,
were introduced to her Majesty by the Earl of Leicester, Lord
Lieutenant of the County.
March 13th. A new fishing smack, “Harriett
Todd” launched. Mr. Todd lost the smack
“Viper,” and had three others damaged in the gale of
the 20th Nov., 1861.
March. The brave crew of the Gorleston Lifeboat
“Ranger” awarded the sum of £233 by the owner
of the brig “Martin Luther,” for assisting his vessel
into Harbour during the hurricanes of Feb. 28th.
March. Petition sent to the House of Commons for total
abolition of Church rates; also a petition to suppress Bribery by
a condign punishment upon all guilty of the practice. The
latter was signed by 230 electors, and presented to the House on
the 24th instant, by J. Mellor, Esq., M.P.
March. Loss of the Yarmouth fishing smack
“Emerald,” and seven hands, about twenty miles east
of the Leman and Owen Sands.
April 6th. Artillery and Rifle Volunteers’ first
demonstration on the South Denes.
April 10th. Conservative Banquet at the Theatre.
The entire pit was boarded over on a level with the stage, where
the tables were arranged; and a military band played in the
gallery. A marquee was erected on the plain as a reception
room.
April 23rd. First stone of the Gorleston Methodist New
Connexion Chapel laid. Building cost £250. It
was opened July 22nd.
May
17th. The barque “Caroline” launched, after
being repaired at an outlay of £5,000, from Mr.
Powell’s yard. The band of the Donegal Militia played
“Rule, Britannia” as she glided off the incline.
May 28th. Fearful gale and loss of life at sea; eight
vessels—brigs, schooners, and a barge—lost on Scroby
and in the Cockle Gat, with their crews; also 14 fishing vessels
and 156 men and boys, lost off Yarmouth. The appeal to the
town and nation on behalf of 50 widows and 160 orphans left
destitute resulted in the handsome sum of £10,000.
Her Majesty and Prince Consort headed the list with £100
each. In a former gale the north-east pinnacle of St.
Peter’s Church fell over the nave and crashed through the
roof into the organ gallery, the organ narrowly escaping.
Damage estimated at £250.
June 5th. G. S. Harcourt, Esq., resigned the
Secretaryship of the Sailors’ Home owing to ill-health.
June 30th. The Channel Fleet of 13 vessels, under the
command of Sir C. Freemantle, anchored in the Roads, and
comprised the “Royal Albert,” 121 guns;
“Donegal,” 101; “Edgar,” 91;
“Aboukir,” 91; “Conqueror,” 101;
“Trafalgar,” 91; “Centurion,” 91;
“Algiers,” 91; “Mars,” 80;
“Mersey,” 40; “Diadem,” 32; also the
“Greyhound” corvette, and “Locust.”
July 9th. Procession through the town of the Foresters
and Members of the Eastern Star Provident Association to the
Victoria Gardens, where a gala was given.
July 18th. Sir Samuel Morton Peto presented with a
superb china dessert service, and an elaborately-worked plateau
épergne candelabrum and other plate, value about
£2,000, by 300 subscribers, as a token of regard and
obligation to him in making the East Suffolk Railway.
July 24th. Prince of Wales’ Own Donegal Militia,
under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Lord Claude E. Hamilton, left
Yarmouth for Ireland, after staying twelve months.
Aug.
8th. The Norfolk Militia Artillery arrived at the Southtown
Barracks, and were disbanded on the 20th. This regiment was
embodied in April, 1859, and in May left for Sheerness, and
thence for Woolwich.
Sept. 3rd. First prize competition meeting of the Rifle
Volunteers held.
Sept. W. Strike, Esq., Collector of Customs, promoted to
the Collectorship at Waterford; he was succeeded by W. C.
Maclean, Esq., Comptroller at Portsmouth.
Oct. 15th. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean, the celebrated
Tragedians, appeared at the Theatre Royal in The Wife’s
Secret.
Oct. 26th. A short sun-fish caught on the North
Beach. It was 4 ft. in length, and weighed about 11
stone. A fine specimen was also caught off Yarmouth in
1821.
Nov. 3rd. Frightful boiler explosion on board the
steamer “Tonning,” off Yarmouth.
Nov. 7th. Race by two herring traders—the brig
“Susan Bailey,” of Ipswich, and schooner “The
Belle,” of Brixton—from Yarmouth to Leghorn.
The latter arrived at her destination after a run of nearly 17
days, the “Susan Bailey” being two days behind
her.
Nov. 10th. The brig “Eleanor,” 300 tons
register, launched in full rig from Messrs. Beeching’s
yard.
Dec. 28th. Melancholy occurrence at the Theatre, caused
by the sudden death of Tom Algar, the clown, during the Christmas
Pantomime. On Jan. 4th Mr. Owen, the manager, gave a
benefit to the widow and orphans.
Dec. 29th (Saturday). The town, in consequence of a hard
frost, had the gas cut off from 5 p.m. till 9, and then only
partially.
Dec. The Rev. Henry Ralph Nevill, M.A., nominated to the
Honorary Canonry in the Cathedral Church in Norwich, vacated by
the death of the Rev. W. M. Hanson.
Fish Depôt, near the Jetty, erected.
The sum collected in Market Tolls this year was £220
12s., about the average for the last 22 years.
Parliamentary returns show that the number of houses in
Yarmouth compounded for by landlords was 1,098, of the annual
gross-rent of £6; and 229 at £7.
About 1,300 Voters on the Register this year.
Jan. 1st. Yarmouth specially appointed as one of the 32
Ports into which wine in casks was allowed to be imported, but
the “testing” not permitted unless by special
grant.
Jan. 6th to 11th. Colder weather than had been
experienced in Yarmouth within living memory.
Jan. 15th. Meeting at the Town Hall for the relief of
the poor in the town; £330 subscribed in the room.
Feb. 1st. “Iconoclast” lectured at the
Theatre to a crowded house. Subject, “What Must a Man
Do to be Saved?” Admission, 6d. and 2d.
April 8th. Census taken. The returns were as
follows: Population of Yarmouth, 13,207 males; 16,881
females—30,088. Gorleston and Southtown, 2,029 males;
2,456 females—4,485. Houses inhabited in Yarmouth,
6,861; uninhabited, 239; building, 73; inhabited in Gorleston and
Southtown, 975.
April 13th. A detachment of the Royal Artillery,
comprising 403 men, officers included, with 15 women and 19
children, arrived at the Armoury from Woolwich.
April 24th. The barque “Harmony,” 300 tons
register, or about 450 burthen, launched from Mr. H.
Fellows’ yard, after which a religious service was held on
board. She was built for carrying Missionaries to Labrador,
and was the second built by Mr. Fellows for the Moravian Mission,
the one built in 1833 being of the same name.
May 20th and 21st. Riot in the town between the Royal
Artillery and the E. N. Militia. About 100 men, armed with
sabres, broke out of the Armoury, and rushed down the road
towards the bridge like wild men, where several hundred civilians
had congregated, but who fled before the soldiers, spreading
terror in the neighbourhood. Tradesmen had to close their
shops.
May
24th. Gable-end of a three-storey house, built on the site
of the Convent of Blackfriars, in Friar’s Lane, fell out
from top to bottom.
May 29th. The Rev. James Tann, 14 years Pastor of the
Particular Baptists of this town, died.
June 18th. Stormy meeting at the Town Hall respecting
the election of a Vestry Clerk. The four following days a
poll was taken, which resulted in the return of Mr. S. B. Cory by
a majority of 233 votes. Cory, 856; Mr. C. H. Chamberlin,
623. Mr. Cory died in Oct. 1876. (See Aug. 16th,
1861, and Nov. 1876.)
June 23rd. Rev. H. Squire, Unitarian Minister of this
town, terminated 30 years’ Ministry. On Aug. 5th he
was presented with a silver inkstand, value £30, by the
members of the congregation. He died in London, Aug. 1869,
aged 62.
June 30th. Comet first seen in Yarmouth. Its
brightness and length of tail rivalled Donati’s, which
appeared in 1858.
June. Mons. A. A. Desfougerais appointed as French
Maritime Consul and Agent in Yarmouth, by the French
Government.
June. Mr. F. Danby Palmer passed legal examination in
honours, he being the first local candidate who obtained that
distinction.
June. Lieutenant E. Leeds, R.A., instructor to the
Artillery Volunteers, presented by the officers and men of the
corps with a gold watch and chain, as a memento of their
esteem.
July 6th. Sir Francis Palgrave, K.H., Deputy-Keeper of
her Majesty’s Records, died, aged 72 years. He
married the daughter of the late Dawson Turner, Esq., of
Yarmouth, and was Knighted in 1832 for his services and attention
to Constitutional and Parliamentary literature.
July. Mr. George Tyrrell, builder, of Southtown,
received the Government contract for altering and re-constructing
the Redoubt at Harwich. In May, 1862, he also obtained the
Government contract for the erection of a Fort at Bembridge Town,
Isle of Wight, at an outlay of about £40,000.
Aug.
16th. Purse of £70 presented to Mr. S. B. Cory, the
newly-appointed Vestry Clerk. (See June 18th.)
Aug. Turkish Baths on Regent Road established, but were
not in existence many months.
Aug. Mr. J. S. Cobb passed his examination at the Royal
College of Surgeons, and obtained his diploma as a dental
surgeon.
Sept. 1st. Mr. F. W. Rolfe played his opening service at
St. Peter’s Church, and received his appointment as
organist. In Nov., 1870, he was presented with a purse of
£11 by the members of the St. Peter’s Musical
Association. He died in 1884.
Sept. 12th. Yarmouth and other Norfolk Volunteers
reviewed at the Earl of Leicester’s Park at Holkham.
Oct. 26th. Alarming Fire at Mr. J. Self’s fish
storehouse and drying-rooms, in Row 145. Estimated damage,
£400. And on Nov. 25th, Mr. T. W. Downing’s
fish-stores; damage, £200.
Nov. 2nd and 3rd. Heavy gale and great loss of life and
property; 19 shipwrecked seamen received at the Home; the
previous ten days, 44.
Nov. 21st. New Lifeboat sent to Yarmouth by the National
Institution.
Nov. 26th. A site on the South Denes, for erecting an
Iron Mission Church and Schools, granted by the Town Council to
the Rev. H. R. Nevill. The Church was opened for Service on
March 4th, 1862. Cost, £500. (See May 26th,
1869.)
Nov. 28th. Artillery Volunteers’ First
Distribution of Prizes and Presentation of eight Saluting Flags,
which cost £14, the gift of fifty lady subscribers, took
place at the Corn Hall.
Nov. The fishing-lugger “Triumph,” of
Yarmouth, lost in a gale in the North Sea, and 11 hands,
principally belonging to Sherringham. Mr. J. W. De Caux,
assisted by the Mayor (R. Steward, Esq.), collected
£52 13s. for the widows and orphans.
Nov. The Rev. Hezekiah Martin, B.A., Curate of Caister
Church, presented by the parishioners with a silver salver as a
tribute of esteem.
Dec.
14th. H.R.H. the Prince Consort died, aged 42. During
the ensuing week all outward manifestations of sorrow were paid
in Yarmouth to the deceased Prince—shops were partly
closed, flags raised half-mast, mourning uniform worn by
volunteers, &c. On the 23rd the Town Council adopted a
vote of condolence to her Majesty.
Dec. The Rev. F. C. Skey, late Curate of St.
Nicholas’ Church, appointed Minor Canon in Bristol
Cathedral. A gold pencil case was presented to him (Dec.
19th) by the scholars and teachers of St. Peter’s
School.
St. John’s School erected.
St. Andrew’s Institute established in Charlotte Street,
but removed to the North Quay in 1865.
Deaths: Oct. 21st, Mr. David Hogarth, who ably filled the
position of Postmaster of Yarmouth for upwards of twenty years,
aged 68.—Nov. 1st, John Goate Fisher, Esq., aged
82.—Nov. 4th, Mr. T. W Chevalier, Head Master of the School
of Design, aged 30.
March 1st. 1862 changes of grandsire triples, composed
and conducted by Mr. William Lee, were rung on eight bells in the
Parish Church Steeple.
April 9th. Suffolk Militia Artillery, commanded by
Colonel Adair (460 men), arrived at Southtown.
May 5th. Corner stone of the Bethel laid, and the Chapel
opened Aug. 15th. Cost about £300.
May 23rd. The Priory Musical Class presented Mr.
Musgrave with a silver inkstand.
May 27th. A portion of the Channel Fleet anchored in the
Roadstead. It comprised the “Revenge,” 91 guns;
“Trafalgar,” 90; “Emerald,” 51;
“Chanticleer,” 17; and the gunboat
“Porpoise.” They waited the arrival of the
“St. George,” the vessel in which H.R.H. Prince
Alfred sailed.
May. C. J. Palmer, Esq., presented the Corporation with
a scarlet gown and a black gown, originally worn by the
Mayors. The former to be worn on extraordinary and the
latter on ordinary occasions.
June
1st. The man-of-war ship “St. George,” 90 guns,
with. 900 men on board, joined the Channel Fleet in the
Roadstead. On the following morning (Monday) a royal salute
of 21 guns was fired from the North Battery, and a gay display of
colours hoisted by every ship in the Harbour, in honour of Prince
Alfred. The same afternoon the Sailor Prince, accompanied
by Major Cowell, the Rev. W. Lake Onslow, and the Hon. Manners
Sutton, landed on the Beach, and proceeded to the South Denes,
where a cricket match was played by 11 Officers of the Fleet
against 11 Gentlemen of Great Yarmouth.
June 19th. Review of the Eastern Counties’
Volunteers at Yarmouth. No less than 30,000 spectators from
all quarters of the country assembled on the South Denes to
witness the review, which was of the grandest description.
A dinner was afterwards given to the Volunteers (3,500) and about
250 other guests, on the St. George’s Denes, which passed
off admirably. Purveyor, Mr. J. Franklin, Crown and
Anchor. The cost to the town was about £530.
July 9th. Blondin, the Niagara rope-walker, appeared at
the Victoria Gardens.
July 16th. Caister lifeboat, while lying on Caister
Beach, was struck by lightning during a heavy thunderstorm.
July. H. R. Harmer, Esq., solicitor, appointed a
Commissioner to Administer Oaths in Admiralty.
Aug. 19th. Sir E. Lacon assumed the command of the
Artillery Volunteer Corps on the resignation of Major S. C.
Marsh.
Sept. 12th. Grand fête of Norfolk Volunteers at
Crown Point, Norwich.
Oct. 8th. The celebrated Rev. C. H. Spurgeon preached at
the Wesleyan Chapel.
Oct. 20th. Fearful gale. About 1,000 vessels
sheltered in the Roadstead. Five others were reported to
have gone down on the Sands with their crews.
Nov. 21st. Public meeting at the Town Hall, for raising
a fund to relieve the distressed Lancashire operatives.
£160 was subscribed in the room.
Nov. The Trustees of the Municipal Charities
received the sanction of the Charity Commissioners to erect a
Grammar School at Yarmouth, which was built and opened July 29th,
1863.
Dec. 20th. High tide. On the Southtown Road the
water was a foot deep, and many parts of the town were
inundated. The tide was higher than that recorded in
1816. Mr. T. W. Downing lost the smack “Gem” in
the gale.
Dec. 22nd. The brig “Lotus” launched from J.
W. Rust’s yard. Dimensions—length, 103 ft.;
breadth, 24 ft.; depth, 24 ft.; burthen, 258 tons.
Deaths: Feb. 27th, the Rev. Thomas C. Clowes, formerly
Incumbent of St. Mary’s Church, and Head Master of the
Preparatory Grammar School, Southtown, at Ashbocking Vicarage,
aged 61.—March 20th, Mr. Henry Danby Palmer, third son of
George Danby Palmer, Esq., aged 47.—Nov. 12th, Nathaniel B.
Palmer, Esq., aged 37.
Jan. 1st. Assembly Rooms opened by a company. On
Feb. 13th, 1870, the Billiard Rooms were destroyed by fire;
damage, £700.
Jan. 20th. Smack “Baron Campbell,” belonging
to Mr. Yaxley, foundered in a heavy gale. The crew, after
battling with the fury of the waves for 13 hours, and being
nearly exhausted at the pumps, were gallantly rescued by the crew
of the smack “Greyhound.”
March 10th. Marriage of Prince Albert Edward with
Princess Alexandra of Denmark, at Windsor. The display of
enthusiasm at Yarmouth somewhat resembled the Volunteer Review of
June 19th, 1862, with this difference—the town in the
evening was brilliantly illuminated, and a display of fireworks
took place in the Market Place. Nearly 600 Volunteers were
entertained by Sir E. Lacon to a sumptuous repast at his stores
on the North Quay. 4,669 school children were regaled with
a tea at the town’s expense, which, with all other
expenses, incurred an outlay of £259. The
subscriptions amounted to £322.
March. 19th. The Yarmouth Gas Bill Clauses to
incorporate the Company, and make further provisions for lighting
the town, were agreed to by a Committee of the House of
Commons. The bill was read a third time, and passed March
23rd.
March. The Rev. John Beazor ordained as Deacon by the
Bishop of Tasmania.
April 18th. A fine otter captured on the Hall Quay.
April. The Royal Marriage Celebration Committee
presented R. Steward, Esq., and Capt. W. J. Foreman with a silver
medal as a souvenir of the eventful occasion, and in recognition
of their valuable services.
May 12th. Sardinian barque “Mississippi,”
with 1,000 tons of cargo, sprang a leak and was beached, but got
off again by the Gorleston boatmen for £300, when (on the
16th) she stranded on the Bar. In June she was dry-docked
in the yard of Messrs. Fellows and Sons.
May 26th. Charles Marsh, a nigger acrobat, went up the
Nelson Monument, got outside, and after clambering up the
caryatides to the figure of Britannia, performed some of his
gambols, but accidentally missing his footing, fell headlong from
the trident to the ground, a distance of 140 ft., and was
killed.
May 31st. First service for the ordaining of priests and
deacons held at St. Nicholas’ Church by the Bishop of
Norwich. Five ordained as deacons and four as priests.
June 17th. The Norfolk Agricultural Society held their
Annual Show of Stock and Implements for the first time at
Yarmouth. The prizes offered were £558 in money,
£53 in silver medals, and £37 in four silver
cups.
June 24th. Bishop Hills returned to England upon a visit
from British Columbia, and preached at St. Nicholas’
Church, Aug. 16th.
June 25th. Mr. N. Clowes, Secretary to the Young
Men’s Association, was presented with
“Routledge’s Edition of the Poets” (19 vols.),
as a mark of esteem.
June
25th. The Yarmouth Gas Bill read a third time and passed,
and received the Royal assent June 29th.
June. David Falcke, James Scott, and William Briggs,
Esqs., were approved as Magistrates by the Lord Chancellor.
July 1st. The barque “Egbert,” 400 tons
burthen, launched from Messrs. Fellows and Sons’ yard.
July 6th. Two men accidentally killed by the falling of
a hatchway belonging to the wherry “Rigby,” while at
Burgh Water Frolic with a freight of 90 or 100 pleasure-seekers,
many of whom were precipitated into the water.
July 14th. The Channel Squadron, under the command of
Admiral Dacres, visited Yarmouth Roads. It comprised the
“Edgar,” 71 guns; “Black Prince,” 41;
“Warrior,” 40; “Liverpool,” 39;
“Royal Oak,” 35; “Emerald,” 35;
“Resistance,” 16; “Defence,” 16; and the
corvette “Trinculo.” Totals—293 guns,
6,800 horse-power, and 4,799 men.
Aug. 26th. Memorial stone of the new Baptist Chapel, St.
George’s Park, laid. Contract for building,
£1,500.
Sept. 15th. Review on Mousehold Heath of the Norfolk
Volunteers, on which occasion Corporal J. Wilshak, of Yarmouth,
was presented with the Champion’s Prize (£20 and
bronze medal) from the hands of Lady Suffield.
Sept. 18th. Messrs. Churchwardens Steward and Aldred
presented with a silver tea service each, by members of the
congregation of St. Nicholas’ Church, in testimony of their
esteem. (See Nov. 23rd, 1879.)
Sept. 26th. First number of Yarmouth Chronicle
published by Messrs. Steer and Godfrey.
Oct. 3rd. The cutter “Samuel and William”
(60 tons), belonging to Messrs. Smith and Sons, launched, this
being the first built at Runham, near the Suspension
Bridge. She was built by Messrs. Winter and Pigg. The
father of the latter built the yacht, “Red Rover,”
the property of S. Nightingale, Esq.
Oct. Mr. C. C. Newcombe, appointed Postmaster.
Oct. A pedestrian named Elson, of Nottingham,
walked for several days from Yarmouth to Lowestoft and back three
times each day—a distance of sixty miles a-day.
Nov. 2nd. The Board of Health decided to borrow
£3,000 for extending the Parade south, on the suggestion of
C. J. Palmer, Esq.
Nov. 9th. R. Steward, Esq., elected as Mayor. On
March 10th, 1864, Mr. Steward was presented with a testimonial,
value £200, subscribed for by the town. It comprised
an elegant tea and coffee service, a silver salver, and a cake
basket.
Nov. 16th. The Royal Sea Fisheries Commissioners held an
enquiry at the Sailors’ Home.
Nov. 20th. Destructive fire at the farm of Mr. J.
Hammond, at Gorleston.
Nov. 21st. Mr. Robert Hales, the Norfolk Giant, died in
Yarmouth, aged 43 years. He was born at West Somerton, May
2nd, 1820. In the prime of life his height was 7ft. 6in.,
and he weighed 33 stone. He measured round the chest 64in.,
waist 62in., thigh 36in., calf of leg 21in., across the shoulders
36in. His father was 6ft. 6in., and mother 6ft. in
height. His brothers averaged 6ft. 5in., and sisters 6ft.
3in.
Nov. 29th. Rear-Admiral Sir J. H. Plumridge, K.C.B.,
died at Hopton. He was distinguished for many gallant
services in Egypt, Denmark, Genoa, and Bomarsund. He was
Knighted in 1855.
Nov. 30th. Mr. H. Panks presented with a silver watch
and chain, and a book, as a mark of esteem and appreciation of
his efficient services as organist, by the congregation of St.
John’s Mission Room.
Nov. The Rev. W. T. Harrison presented with a handsome
pocket communion service.
Nov. The lifeboat “Friend of all Nations”
launched from Mr. Critton’s yard. Cost nearly
£400.
Dec. 3rd. Furious gale (more disastrous than recorded
May 28th, 1860), attended with loss of 17 smacks, 2 schooners,
and 1 brig, belonging to Yarmouth, and all their crews; also
seven other vessels lost off the coast. The total number of
lives lost was 145 men and boys, leaving 73 widows and 110
orphan children. Her Majesty’s gunboat
“Ruby,” one of the vessels despatched from the Humber
to search for the missing smacks, was lost on Texel Beach.
On the 21st, the Government sent from Sheerness the steamer
“Medusa” (800 tons) to search the North Sea for
missing smacks, but she returned unsuccessful. On the 28th
a meeting was convened at the Town Hall by the Mayor, for
relieving the sufferers, £222 being subscribed in the room,
which, with other subscriptions, amounted to nearly £2,000,
her Majesty heading the list with £100.
The Yarmouth College, South Quay, established; and Sutherland
House School in 1875.
Dec. 8th. Case of arbitration at the Town Hall between
the Corporation and the Gas Company as to the value of 10,000
square yards of land for building the new Gas Works. The
Corporation demanded £7,646, but the arbitrator (Mr.
Rodwell, Q.C.) awarded £4,106 15s.
Dec. 14th. The schooner “Spray” on fire, and
was run ashore near the Wellington Pier. She was laden with
deals, coal, and coke; valued at about £700.
Dec. 16th. Owing to the death of Major S. C. Marsh on
Aug. 30th, the Artillery Volunteers presented his family with a
solid silver working model of a field piece, with a miniature
officer at the trail end, the whole standing on a chased silver
plateau and an ebony stand, as a memento of Mr. Marsh’s
connection with the Corps.
Dec. 17th. Conversazione at the Public Library, many
objects of interest exhibited.
Great Yarmouth Building Society established.
Deaths: Mar. 25th, William Yetts, Esq., J.P., aged
67.—April 6th, John S. Coxon, Esq., who held the office of
Postmaster for one year, aged 32. April 29th, Joseph G.
Plummer, Esq., J.P., aged 58.—May 8th, William T. Clarke,
Esq., J.P., aged 49.—May 19th, Mr. William Green, many
years Overseer of the Parish, aged 74.—Sept. 18th, Rosamond
Matilda, widow of the late Dawson Turner, Esq., at Kirkley,
Lowestoft, aged 52.—Sept. 25th, John Youell, Esq., A.L.S.,
aged 89.—Oct. 7th, Ambrose Reeve Palmer, Esq., of Haddiscoe
Hall, aged 51.—Nov. 4th, Edmund Reeve Palmer, Esq., for
many years Registrar of Yarmouth County Court, aged
63.—Nov. 30th, Capt. B. Love, E.N.M., aged 71.
Jan. 28th. Rev. John Walker, M.A., instituted to the
Rectory of Bradwell; and the Rev. John James licensed to the
Curacy of Southtown.
Jan. Rev. T. K. Richmond, six years Curate of St.
Nicholas’ Church, elected Chaplain of St. George’s
Hospital, London. On the 17th of March this gentleman was
presented with a gold lever watch, value £27, and a purse
of £10, by a number of parishioners; and a silver communion
service by the Clergy.
Feb. 10th. The Danish corvette “Neils Juel,”
450 men and 47 guns, and a powerful ironclad gunboat captured a
Prussian ship outside the sands, and after putting a prize crew
on board, took her to Copenhagen.
Feb. 27th. D. Tomkins, Esq., elected a member of the
College of Preceptors.
March 1st. The brig “William and Richard”
foundered off the Monument. Seven men belonging to the
Admiralty cutter “Dolphin,” seven beachmen, and five
from the screw-collier “Ryhope,” were immersed in the
water, four being drowned.
March 2nd. Petition presented to the House of Commons by
Edward Howes, Esq., M.P., from the Haven Commissioners of
Yarmouth, in opposition to the East Norfolk Railway Bill.
Launches: March 31st, the first barge, “The
Garson;” April 26th, barge “Whitwell;” July
5th, the barque-rigged vessel “Oriental;” Aug. 20th,
schooner “Shepherdess.”
March. The Rev. Arthur P. Holme, M.A., licensed by the
Bishop of Norwich to the Incumbency of St. Andrew’s
Church.
March. James Morris Hill, Esq., late Major Military
Train, approved of by her Majesty to fill the Adjutancy of the
1st Norfolk Artillery Volunteers.
April
28th. John Dawson, Esq., admitted a member of the Royal
College of Surgeons.
July 20th. The East of England Joint Stock Bank
(established in Dec., 1835) suspended payment, with liabilities
amounting to £576,963 7s. 5d., and assets
£453,256.
Aug. 1st. Mr. S. Allies appointed Borough Gaoler.
Aug. Rev. A. B. Crosse resigned the Incumbency of St.
John’s Church. On Dec. 30th this gentleman was
presented with a handsome clock, value £30, and a purse of
60 guineas, previous to his leaving for Kessingland.
Aug. 15th. Three fishermen out of seven belonging to
Cromer lost off the Haven’s mouth, out of the crab-boat
“Garibaldi.”
Sept. 9th. Review of the members of the Norfolk Rifle
Volunteer Association on the South Denes, in the presence of
9,000 people. Four battalions were reviewed, viz.—1st
Norfolk A. V., 178; 1st Norfolk Rifles, 356; 2nd Norfolk, 218;
and 2nd Norfolk Administrative Battalion, 294; Norwich Light
Horse, 68—numbering in all, officers and men, 1,106.
Oct. 16th. The three-decked steamer
“Ontario,” 4,000 tons burthen, 350 h.p., and laden
with 2,000 tons of coal and iron, struck on Hasbro’
Sands. All efforts to get her off having failed, she was
abandoned by her crew of 80, inclusive of officers, and on the
21st she foundered. 70 of the crew, rescued by the tug
“Pioneer,” were afterwards forwarded to their
respective homes by the Shipwrecked Mariners’
Society. The “Ontario” was built this year at
Jarrow, Durham. Her registered tonnage was 2,083, length
370 feet, and depth 48 feet, and her estimated value
£120,000—£90,000 covered by insurance.
Oct. 21st. Festival service to commemorate the partial
restoration of St. Nicholas’ Church, which was thrown open
for the first time for 200 years—the time of Cromwell,
1649.
Nov. 15th. The Rev. G. Firth, five years and four months
pastor of the Independent Chapel, Gorleston, presented with an
electro-plated tea service, as a mark of esteem, by his friends, previous
to his leaving Gorleston.
Nov. 24th and following nights, very heavy gales. Six
vessels out of several hundreds then lying in the Roadstead were
driven ashore, and 10 lives lost off the coast. The barque
“Sea Serpent” came ashore 20 yards off the Wellington
Pier. Through the exertions of Capt. Bevon and Mr. J. M.
Petts, ten men were brought ashore in the cradle of Manby’s
apparatus. The s.s. “William Hull,” laden with
600 tons of coal, foundered in St. Nicholas’ Gat, and her
crew of 16 hands all perished, except one. At Gorleston 23
sailors were saved by the beachmen and Manby’s
apparatus.
Dec. 7th. A crew of 13 hands gallantly rescued by the
Yarmouth lifeboat from the Austrian brig “Zornizza,”
which foundered on Scroby Sands. The National Lifeboat
Institution sent the beachmen £25, and they also received
an acknowledgment of thanks from the Austrian Government.
Dec. 15th. The Haven Bill adopted by the Town
Council.
St. Nicholas’ Churchyard contained 3,847
gravestones.
Deaths: Jan. 17th, Wm. Briggs, Esq., J.P., aged 63.—May
7th, Lieut.-Colonel C. S. Naylor, at Bognor, aged 75.—May
21st, John Brightwen, Esq., partner in Gurney’s banking
firm, died at Thorpe, near Norwich, aged 81.—July 23rd,
George W. Steward, Esq., M.B., M.A., second son of the Rev. G. W.
Steward, Incumbent of Caister, aged 28.—Oct. 19th, the Rev.
Mark Waters, Incumbent of St. George’s Chapel, aged
57.—Nov. 10th, Capt. Barry Haines, R.N.—Nov. 11th,
Rev. E. B. Frere, M.A., aged 82.
Jan. 8th. Hopton Church destroyed by fire. On
Sept. 27th, 1866, the new Church was consecrated by the Bishop of
Norwich.
Jan. 11th. Mr. Robert Warner Durrell, organist of the
Independent Chapel, Gorleston, presented with a splendid
timepiece by the choir as a memento of their esteem; and on Jan.
11th, 1870, an easy chair.
Jan. Sergt. Berry promoted to the rank of
Inspector; and on Dec. 15th, 1870, the town presented him with a
gold watch, value £20, and a purse of £140 in money,
in recognition of his valuable services.
Feb. 1st. Royal Hotel Company proposed to be formed in
Yarmouth at a cost of £25,000, in 2,500 shares at £10
each. On Jan. 23rd, 1868, 1,182 shares had been taken by 48
shareholders, and the claims against the Company were
£7,379 10s., including a mortgage of £3,000 on the
Royal Hotel, which led to serious litigation.
Feb. 27th. The Haven and Port Bill passed its second
reading in the House of Commons by a majority of 112.
March 8th. Mr. A. W. Morant appointed to the Town
Surveyorship of Norwich. His office in Yarmouth was filled
by Mr. H. H. Baker, on May 13th.
March 31st. Mr. J. R. Jones, who had been Head Master of
the Government School of Navigation since its establishment on
Oct. 1st, 1857, resigned his appointment, having accepted the
post of Head Master of the Board of Trade Navigation School at
Aberdeen.
June 13th. Lieut. H. R. Harmer presented with a silver
salver by the Yarmouth Rifle Volunteers, as a mark of esteem on
his retiring from the corps.
July 12th. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., and J. Goodson,
Esq., returned to Parliament for the Borough.
Votes—L., 828; G., 784; A. Brogden, Esq., 634; P.
Vanderbyl, Esq., 589. J. C. Marshman, Esq., retired from
the contest in favour of the latter.
Oct. 12th. Henrich Erenschiusen, a Dutch sailor,
committed a shocking tragedy on a fellow-shipmate by stabbing him
through the heart, at the City of London Tavern, Charlotte
Street. Sentenced to twenty years’ penal
servitude.
Oct. 25th. The lifeboat “James Pearce”
launched from Messrs. Mills and Blake’s ship-yard.
Dec. The Gospel Hall erected by Mr. T. C. Foreman,
subsequently proprietor of the Free Lance Newspaper.
Deaths: Jan. 8th, Benjamin Dowson, Esq., aged
77.—Jan. 14th, John Barker, Esq.—July 21st, Mr.
Matthew Hastings Swann, aged 58. In 1835 this gentleman
penned and published a “Guide to
Yarmouth.”—Nov. 21st, B. Fenn, Esq., aged 73.
Jan. 13th. The lifeboat “Rescuer” upset at
Gorleston Pier, and twelve of her crew drowned. The names
of the rescued were E. Woods, Wm. Austin, Geo. Palmer, and Robt.
Warner. Eight widows and over thirty orphan children were
left unprovided for.
Jan. 27th. Exhibition of curiosities, &c., at the
Town Hall, closed after five weeks.
Feb. St. George’s Denes laid out as a park and
promenade, at a cost of £449 to the town. June 21st,
1807, an épergne of frosted silver and a silver salver
were presented to Mr. Edward Stagg, by 200 subscribers, for the
promoting and laying out of these grounds. A portion of it
was laid out in 1884 as a lawn tennis ground.
Apr. 23rd. Foundation stone of the Gorleston Wesleyan
Chapel laid.
May 7th. First Yarmouth Annual Spring Meeting held.
July 10th. H.M.S. “Dauntless,” 36 guns, and
carrying 280 men; July 14th, H.M.S. “Trafalgar;” and
on the 15th, H.M.S. “Irresistible,” anchored in the
Roadstead.
July 19th. General holiday. Volunteer Review day;
1,300 Volunteers practised on the South Denes.
July 20th. Fishwharf and Tramway Bill passed in the
House of Lords.
July 31st. The lifeboat “Leicester,”
presented by Mrs. Hodges, launched at Gorleston. Cost,
£600.
Aug. 16th. Royal Commission of Inquiry into the state of
bribery at Parliamentary elections opened before Wyndham Slade,
Lucius Henry Fitzgerald, and George Russell, Esqs.,
barristers-at-law, at the Town Hall. The inquiry lasted 34
days, and over 700 witnesses were examined. (See Feb. 15th,
1867.)
Dec.
3rd. The town, through an accident at the Gas Works, put in
total darkness. Loss of gas estimated at about 100,000
cubic feet, value £1,000.
Dec. 12th. Loss of the fishing-lugger “William and
Mary,” belonging to Mr. Utting, and nine lives, off
Pakefield.
Dec. 30th. Meeting at the Town Hall on behalf of the
sufferers from a colliery explosion in Yorkshire and
Staffordshire.
“Chapters on the East Anglian Coast,” in two
vols., 800 pages, published. The London Quarterly
Review of April, 1807, says, “We have seldom met with a
more elaborate, exhaustive, beautiful, and ably-written
guide-book and local history.” It was penned by Mr.
John Greaves Nall, who died in June, 1876.
Messrs. Lacons, Youell, and Co.’s Bank re-erected.
Top of Recent Road, near Town Wall House, widened by the
Corporation.
A wooden circus building, on Mr. De Canx’s garden,
converted into the Regent Hall, and used as a Theatre,
&c. It has since been demolished.
Deaths: Feb. 2nd, Mr. W. P. Windham, at Norwich.—Feb.
9th, John Bessey Hilton, Esq., aged 44.—Feb. 18th, Isaac
Preston, sen., Esq., aged 92.—Sept. 4th, David Falcke,
Esq., J.P., at Paris.—Dec. 18th, Mr. Joseph Tomlinson,
sen., brewer, aged 78.
Jan. 1st. Oddfellows’ Hall opened in
Gorleston.
Jan. 5th. Eighteen hands lost from the brigs
“Sarah” and “The Ark,” in collision in
the South Ham, 500 yards off Gorleston Pier.
Jan. 8th. Mr. F. W. Maryson presented with a silver
star, at the Steam Packet Tavern, by the Nottingham Order of
Oddfellows.
Jan. 12th. Heavy gale. Six vessels lost, and 48
shipwrecked mariners afterwards taken to the Sailors’
Home.
Jan. Fish Wharf scheme proposed, and on April 20th the
wharf was commenced by “turning the sod.” The
Fish Wharf and Tramway Bill cost £2,481. (See Feb.
16th, 1869.)
Jan.
16th. Loss of the “Eclipse,” at Dieppe, and
three lives.
Feb. 15th. The report of the Royal Commissioners laid
before the House of Commons; March 15th, Petition presented by
Sir Edmund H. K. Lacon, Bart., against the Disfranchisement of
the Borough; May 30th, the Borough disfranchised; June 7th,
another Petition presented to the House of Commons against the
Disfranchisement; and one to the House of Lords, July 29th, but
all proved unavailing.
Feb. 22nd. Mr. C. Rumbold appointed as a Relieving
Officer.
Feb. 26th. The Elizabethan house of C. J. Palmer, Esq.,
sold by auction for £1,150, and the fixtures for £64
14s. 6d.
March 21st. Mr. S. Durrell resigned the Overseership of
Gorleston Parish.
April 2nd. First meeting of the Port and Haven
Commissioners under the new Act of Parliament. H. N.
Burroughes, Esq., resigned the chairmanship.
April 4th. Foundation stone of the Gourlay Wesleyan Day
Schools laid. The founder, D. A. Gourlay, Esq., J.P., gave
£1,000 towards the building.
April 20th. A party of gentlemen, comprising Messrs.
Spence, Fenner, Everard, R. Veale, Moore, Silvers, Douglas,
Neave, and Harrison, had their boat upset on Ormesby Broad, 100
yards from the shore, and narrowly escaped drowning.
April 21st. Heavy gale, and loss of the smacks
“Swan” and “Talisman” and twelve
hands.
May 8th. Service of plate presented at the Duke’s
Head Hotel to W. Heath, Esq., of Ludham Hall.
May 16th. Foundation-stone of the new Primitive
Methodist Chapel, Queen’s Road, laid. Chapel opened
Sept. 26th. Building cost £1,000.
May 20th. Reform meeting. Mr. Edmond Beales, the
great Reformer, addressed from 2,000 to 3,000 people from the
balcony of the Steam Packet Tavern.
June 1st. A halibut, weighing 161 lbs., 6 ft. in length,
and 30 inches across, captured by a smack; and in March, 1868,
two were caught off the coast—one weighing 198 lbs., and
the other 140 lbs.
June
24th. Resolved by the Town Council to have new fire engines
and a fire escape for the Borough; their capabilities were tested
on Sept. 9th. On Aug. 20th an engine was provided for
Gorleston.
June. Sergeant John Quince presented with a gold-mounted
meerschaum pipe by the officers of the Artillery Militia.
July 6th. First London daily passenger boat to
Yarmouth.
July. E. H. L. Preston, Esq., received from the Belgian
Government the Decoration of Knight of the Order of Leopold, in
recognition of 28 years’ service as Consul.
Aug. 29th. Roman Catholic Mortuary Chapel opened by the
Bishop of Demerara. Foundation stone laid on Aug. 15th,
1866, by Lady Stafford.
Sept. 10th. “Routledge’s Magazine for
Boys’” lifeboat for Caister launched. Built by
Messrs. Beeching at a cost of £300.
Sept. Mr. G. B. Kennett, managing clerk to Mr. W. Holt,
appointed clerk to the Norwich Magistrates.
Sept. Permanent Fund established. The surplus of
£500 remaining from the relief fund of Dec., 1863, was
added to this institution, and in Jan., 1868, the Princess of
Wales sent a cheque for £25 to this Fund.
Oct. 3rd. The dead body of an infant found wrapped up in
a bundle in Mr. Knight’s yard; Jane Jarron was examined on
11th, and committed for trial at the Assizes on the charge of
murder on the 18th. Acquitted Dec. 5th.
Nov. 6th. Mr. James Sharman, keeper of the Nelson
Monument, died, aged 82 years. He was a Trafalgar veteran,
and one who assisted Lord Nelson in his dying moments.
Nov. 10th. The Rifle Volunteer Drill Hall opened by the
Mayor, Captain E. P. Youell. Cost £1,200.
Dec. 2nd. High tide; the Southtown Road and various
parts of the town near the river were inundated, through the
banks of Breydon being broken. On the following day there
was a heavy gale, when the Gorleston lifeboat
“Rescuer” was again capsized (see Jan.
13th, 1866) through collision with the fishing lugger
“James and Ellen,” and 23 were drowned, including 11
of the crew of the “George Kendall,” for whose widows
and orphans a special donation of £234 was received.
The number of men lost off the coast was 85, leaving 33 widows
and 71 children destitute.
Launches: April 16th, fishing boat “Express,” from
Messrs. Hastings Brothers’ yard; May 20th, smack
“Spring Flower,” from Messrs. King and Baker’s
yard; July 4th, smack “Pathfinder,” from Messrs. J.
and H. Beeching’s yard; July 8th, smack
“Hermit,” from Mr. A. J. Palmer’s yard; Aug.
13th, smack “Mermaid,” from Mr. Rust’s yard;
Aug. 20th, model pleasure boat “Nonpareil,” from
Messrs. Aldred and Morl’s yard; Sept. 10th, smack
“Olga,” from Messrs. Fellows’ yard; Oct. 24th,
smack “Silver Cloud,” from Messrs. Critten and
Clarke’s yard; Oct. 31st, Mr. Lawrie’s small steamtug
“Enterprise,” she being the first iron vessel built
at this Port.
Dec. 6th. The Haven Commissioners resolved to borrow
£27,188 15s. for Haven improvements.
Dec. 26th. An original local Christmas pantomime,
entitled Neptune’s Decree, &c., was produced at
the Theatre Royal, written by “Felix,” a local
author.
Deaths: March 2nd, W. H. Bessey, Esq., J.P.—Dec. 25th,
W. Mayes Bond, Esq., aged 66.—Dec. 31st, Mr. J. Norman,
aged 80.
Jan. 3rd. The schooner “Roberts” driven on
the North Sand near the mouth of the Harbour, 300 yards from the
shore, and her crew bravely rescued out of her shrouds by Mr. J.
M. Petts and four beachmen.—The brig “Carl
Frederick” was lost the same morning on Hasbro’ Sand,
with seven of her crew, two boys only being saved.
Jan. 9th. F. Diver, Esq., of Yarmouth, commander of the
R.M.S. “Roman,” presented with a handsome watch,
subscribed for by the passengers of the ship for having completed
a voyage from this country to Table Bay in thirty days.
Jan.
23rd. At midnight a destructive fire took place in a shop
in the Market Row, and three precious lives (a lady named Mrs.
Pigg, and two children) were sacrificed, and property destroyed
and damaged to the amount of £3,000.
Feb. 8th. The fishing lugger “Flying Fish”
fouled the sunken wreck of the barque “Lord Clyde,”
and foundered in the Roadstead.
March 6th. The cigar steamship “Walter S.
Winans,” of Havre, arrived in the Harbour.
Dimensions—length, 112 ft.; deck, 66 ft. in length; width
amidships, 5 ft.; 24 tons register.
April 29th. The brig “Ewerette” foundered
opposite the Monument.
April 29th. The Rev. W. T. Harrison, minister of St.
John’s Church, presented with a chaste silver tea and
coffee pot, cream jug, and sugar basin, value £50, by 300
of the members of his congregation, previous to leaving for
Thorpe Morieux, Suffolk. He was succeeded by Rev. R. J.
Dundas.
May 11th. The Regent Hall, a wooden structure on Regent
Road, opened, after being converted from a circus to a
music-hall. It was pulled down in 1874. (See
1866.)
May 23rd. Mr. William Jones died. In the early
part of his life he served as a seaman in the navy, and was
present at several engagements under Sir Charles Napier.
June. Robert Cory, Esq., passed his examination and
admitted an Attorney of the Court of Queen’s Bench and
other Courts, and as a Solicitor in Chancery.
June 10th. Mr. Robert Clifton, master mariner, died at
Southtown, aged 85. In early life and during the French war
he was seized by the press-gang while ashore at Newcastle, and
carried on board a man-of-war, where he served several years till
being landed an invalid.
July 13th to 22nd. Chang, the Chinese Giant, aged 22,
and nearly 9 ft. in height, said to be the largest man in the
world, with his wife King-Foo, exhibited at the old Corn
Hall.
July
18th. C. Woolverton, E. R. Aldred, R. D. Barber, and C. E.
Bartram, Esqs., sworn in as Magistrates for the Borough.
July 22nd. Horticultural and Floral Fête held at
the Assembly Rooms.
July 27th. Balloon ascent by Professor Simmons from the
Victoria Gardens. This was the first aërial ascent in
Yarmouth since Sept. 17th, 1852.
Aug. 11th. Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Young, the well-known
actor and actress, presented with a testimonial—an address
beautifully written on vellum, a port-monnaie, and a sum of
money—at the Corn Hall, in recognition of their talented
aid in an amateur entertainment given at the Regent Hall, on June
23rd, on behalf of the Yarmouth Hospital.
Aug. 18th. The corner-stone of the Methodist New
Connexion Sunday School at Burgh laid by J. A. Horner, Esq., of
Burgh Grange.
Aug. James Cherry, Esq., appointed Revising Barrister
for Leicester and Rutland.
Sept. 23rd. The B battery C brigade of Royal Horse
Artillery, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Bishop, arrived at
the Armoury.
Oct. 24th. Heavy gale and loss of three vessels.
Upwards of sixty French fishing boats (1,200 to 1,400 men) sought
refuge in the Harbour. The s.s. “Ganges,” 1,600
tons, struck on Hasbro’ Sands the previous day.
Oct. The Board of Health Act adopted in Gorleston, and
on March 8th, 1869, 12 members, out of 27 nominated, were chosen
for constituting the Board.
Nov. 14th. First number of the Yarmouth Gazette and
North Norfolk Constitutionalist published by Mr. C. W.
Godfrey. This journal subsequently became the sole property
of Mr. E. W. Shortman.
Nov. 19th. The Scotch fishing-boat
“Excellent” on fire in the Harbour, and was scuttled
to extinguish it. Estimated loss, £200.
Nov. 22nd. During a gale the schooner
“Seagull” broke the massive piles of the Britannia
Pier, and smashed 100 ft. away. (See July 13th,
1858.) In Oct. 1859, a sloop was driven through, and did
damage to the Pier amounting to £800 or £900.
The Pier has since been shortened 50 ft.
Nov. 26th. The Hon. F. Walpole and Sir E. H. K. Lacon,
Bart., elected M.P.’s for North Norfolk.
Votes—W., 2,630; L., 2,563; Edmund R. Wodehouse, Esq.,
2,235; Robert T. Gurdon, Esq., 2,078; including Yarmouth votes,
viz., W., 913; L., 971; Wodehouse, 514; G., 476. On Sept.
15th, 1869, a Banquet was given at the Drill Hall, at which 800
or 900 persons were present, and a testimonial, value £600,
was presented to Sir Edmund in honour of the successful issue of
the petition. The testimonial was a magnificent piece of
plate, weighing nearly 900 ozs., and consisted of a massive
centre piece and plateau of silver; the base was flanked by three
elaborate buttresses supporting brackets, with fluted columns,
around which were grouped the figures of Agriculture, Commerce,
and Art, the capital being encrusted with a frieze of
lions’ heads and festoons of laurels, a figure of Fame
crowning the summit. The Hon. F. Walpole died on April 1st,
1876; and on April 21st Colonel James Duff was elected M.P. for
North Norfolk by a majority of 110.
Dec. 7th. The south aisle of St. Nicholas’ Church
closed for restoration. In 1864 Mr. Seddon, architect,
estimated that the restoration of the entire church would cost
about £23,000.
Dec. 9th. A Grand Concert, under the patronage of the
Mayor (S. Nightingale, Esq.) and the Mayoress; Right Hon. Lord
Sondes, Right Hon. Lord and Lady Suffield, Sir E. Lacon, Bart.,
M.P., and the Deputy-Mayor and Mrs. Worship, was given at the
Regent Hall. Distinguished artistes—Mdlles. Titiens
and Sinico, Signors Bulterini and Campi, and Mr. Santley.
Mr. Wehli, solo pianoforte; and Signor Bevignani acted as
conductor.
Dec. 10th. The s.s. “City of Hamburg,”
plying between this port and London, stranded close to the North
Pier, and thereby sustained considerable damage.
Engine-house and reservoir erected on the north side of
the Jetty for supplying the Bath House with water. (See
1759.)
An octagonal tower and observatory, 75 ft. high, erected on
South Quay by the Trinity Corporation.
Launches: Aug. 17th, the carrier cutter
“Chieftain,” from Messrs. Smith and Son’s yard;
Sept. 23rd, the brig “Sultana,” 310 tons, from
Messrs. Fellows and Son’s yard.
Deaths: Feb. 24th, Mr. Chas. C. Newcombe, postmaster, aged
49.—May 25th, Edward Norris Clowes, Esq., Solicitor, New
Buckenham, aged 61.—June 2nd, Mr. W. Shuckford, 15 years
Governor of the Workhouse, aged 62.—June 7th, Thomas Bunn,
Esq., Corn Merchant, and an Alderman, at Southtown, aged
87.—Sept. 18th, Captain Robert Bensley Davie, Commander of
the Cape mail steamer “Saxon,” at Southampton, aged
37.—Sept. 18th, John Palgrave, Esq., son of the late
William Palgrave, Esq., Collector of Custom Dues at Yarmouth, and
afterwards at Dublin, aged 55.—Nov. 2nd, John D’Ade,
Esq., at Southtown, aged 86.—Dec. 5th, Mr. W. C. Nutman,
many years Relieving-officer, aged 45.—Dec. 27th, Richd.
Ferrier, Esq., Brewer, aged 73.
Jan. 25th. The Chancellor (E. Howes, Esq., M.P.) decided
the long-pending question of removing St. Nicholas’ Church
organ from the west end of the south aisle to the North transept,
in the affirmative. This grand old organ, built by Jordan,
Bridge, and Bayfield, in 1733; repaired by England
(Jordan’s grandson) in 1812, and by Gray in 1840; was
removed to the north transept in Feb., 1869.
Jan. Gaol Street Congregational Chapel (built in 1773)
closed, and pulled down for the purpose of building the
Middlegate Church.
Feb. 9th. The North-end Church Mission Room
opened. Cost about £100. Mr. W. Wright was the
architect.
Feb. 16th. The Fish Wharf, 2,251 ft. in length, shed 750
ft., completed. Total cost, £20,627. The sum
borrowed and advanced by the Corporation for the works was
£20,502 6s.; total amount of annual outgoings estimated at
£1,587 17s. Offices and premises let at £565
16s.
Feb. 23rd. While the s.s. “Buccleuch,” was
on the point of leaving the wharf in Yarmouth Harbour for Hull,
with 20 passengers on board, her boiler burst, and several
persons were scalded and otherwise slightly injured, the Captain
(W. Wright) being seriously hurt. The steamer was much
damaged, and her fittings amidships blown to a considerable
distance.
March 1st. The full-rigged ship “Hannah
Pattersen,” laden with 1,500 tons of coal, came ashore
abreast of the Workhouse, where she became a total wreck.
Insured for £2,000.
March 2nd. Ten tenders opened for re-building the south
aisle of St. Nicholas’ Church, and Mr. Williams, of
Cardiff, was selected, his estimate for the work being
£4,755, out of which sum £480 was deducted for old
materials.
March 9th. Mr. C. L. Chipperfield presented by Major
Foreman with a handsome timepiece, in acknowledgment of his
valuable services as Secretary of the Yarmouth Building
Society.
March 10th. The smack “Silver Cloud” run
into by the steamer “Earl of Durham,” off Winterton,
and foundered with loss of all hands.
April 3rd. Schooner “Hickman,” 98 tons,
struck by lightning.
April 15th. The Great Yarmouth Water Works Bill, for
further extending its powers in a drainage scheme, passed in the
House of Lords.
April 20th. The King of Prussia, through the Ambassador
at the Court of St. James’, awarded Capt. Balls, of the
schooner “George,” of Yarmouth, a gratuity of
£10 for rescuing the crew of the Prussian schooner
“Christine.”
April 22nd. New organ opened at Belton Church by Mr. F.
W. Rolfe, organist of St. Peter’s, Yarmouth.
April 28th. Duke’s Head Hotel sold to Mr. J. Davy
for £1,525.
April
29th. The iron s.s. “Lady Flora,” 1,000 tons
burthen, 250 feet in length, ran ashore on Caister beach, and
after unremitting efforts on the part of Mr. T. B. Carr, of Hull,
Mr. Beeching, of Yarmouth, and a numerous gang of men, who bodily
raised her massive weight on to blocks, she was again
successfully launched on July 8th in the presence of several
hundred spectators. In Dec. this steamer was totally lost
in the Baltic.
May 19th. The Gorleston Company of the Yarmouth Rifle
Corps first met for recruit drill. First competition prize
match, Oct. 14th.
May 26th. First stone of the St. James’ Church
laid by the Very Rev. Dr. Goulburn, Dean of Norwich.
June 4th. Violent explosion of gas at Mr.
Gambling’s office at Southtown, doing damage in and around
the premises to the extent of £200 or £300.
June 9th. Charles Cory, Esq., 18 years Town Clerk of the
Borough, died at Lugano, Switzerland, aged 54 years. It was
decided on June 28th to place a memorial window to his memory in
St. Nicholas’ Church. His father and grandfather both
held the office of Chief Magistrate of the Borough; the former
died in 1840.
June 24th. Charles Diver, Esq., appointed as Town Clerk
at a salary of £200, and £50 extra as Clerk to the
Local Board of Health. (See Nov. 30th, 1875, and Dec. 5th,
1883.)
Aug. 24th. Comer stone of the residence of the Head
Master of the Grammar School laid next the site for the intended
new Grammar School.
Aug. The Hon. and Rev. Edward Pellew, M.A. (about eight
years Incumbent of St. Nicholas’ Church, and which he
resigned in 1844 in favour of the Ven. H. Mackenzie, M.A.), died
at Crowe Hill, Nottinghamshire, aged 69.
Sept. 6th. Two gentlemen started on a voyage by the
rivers and streams, a distance of about 130 miles—from
Hitchin to Yarmouth, via Norwich and Reedham—in the
canoes “Wanderer” and “Ruby,” which
adventurous journey was completed in six days.
Sept,
9th. The French iron steamer “Fulton,” worth
about £5,000, and cargo £650, through collision with
the brig “Thomas Gales,” opposite the Monument,
foundered, but her crew were saved. Insured for
£3,200.
Sept. 15th. Mr. T. Todd’s smack “Ann”
foundered.
Sept. 20th. Mr. H. Stonex presented by the Yarmouth
Musical Society with a gold-mounted ivory baton and an inlaid
walnut music-stool as a token of their appreciation of him as
their conductor.
Sept. 23rd. Mr. William James Palmer admitted a
licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries.
Sept. Commander T. S. Gooch, R.N., son of Admiral Gooch
of Yarmouth, appointed to the command of H.M.S.
“Beacon,” on the coast of Africa.
Oct. 5th. Mr. Thomas H. Colley, on resigning the office
of House Surgeon at the Yarmouth Hospital, after 14 years’
service, was presented at the Town Hall with a gold watch and
chain, value about £40, and a purse of 250 guineas, by 500
subscribers, for his zeal and kindness in the discharge of his
duties.
Oct. 19th. Terrific gale. More than 70 smacks put
in disabled, and some seven lost their crews (41 men), besides 14
other men washed overboard; 13 widows and 25 children left
destitute.
Oct. 29th. The Italian barque “Oceana
Antonio,” 529 tons, ran ashore south of the Wellington
Pier.
Dec. 20th. Gas explosion at Messrs. Bracey and
Son’s counting-house, whereby two persons were injured.
Launches: Feb. 1st, the schooner “Maria,” from Mr.
Rust’s yard after extensive repairs.—Oct. 11th, the
smack “Alice,” 40 tons register, from Mr.
Rust’s yard.—Nov. 12th, the self-righting lifeboat
“Penny Readings,” 33 feet long, cost £500,
launched at Lynn, the boat having been built in
Yarmouth.—Nov. 25th, the smack “Cambria,” from
Messrs. Smith’s yard.
Deaths: Jan. 11th, Arthur Steward, Esq., aged 68.—March
4th, William Jex, Esq., Master of the Hopton Hunt, aged
68.—April 14th, William Hill Winmill, Esq., of Gorleston,
aged 35.—Aug. 10th, Edward Trafford, Esq., of
Wroxham.—Dec. 8th, Mr. Stephen Hardingham, aged 74.
Jan. 2nd. New organ at Roman Catholic Church opened.
Feb. 14th. The schooner “St. Cyran” came
ashore south of the Britannia Pier, and the crew rescued by the
rocket apparatus; the Austrian brig “Giovanning” came
ashore in the South Ham; the steamer “Sea Queen,” 677
tons burthen or 903 dead weight, laden with 1,100 tons of coal,
wrecked off Yarmouth, and her crew of 24 hands perished; and the
barque “Victoria” wrecked on Gorleston Beach, 500
yards from the shore, and out of a crew of 16 but fire were
rescued.
Feb. 15th. The schooner “Favourite” came
ashore between the Jetty and Wellington Pier, and the crew,
except one boy, saved; and on the same morning, the crew of the
lifeboat “Friend of All Nations” courageously
proceeded out of the harbour to a vessel in the South Ham, and
the perilous venture of the crew was hailed with lusty cheers
from a crowd assembled on the Gorleston Pier. In these
gales the smack “Chance It” was burnt to the
water’s edge off Yarmouth, and the crew gallantly rescued
by the smack “William and Ann,” of this port.
Feb. 23rd. The organ at St. Nicholas’ Church,
after being repaired by Messrs. Hill, of London, at a cost of
£820, was opened by a grand choral service. Before
removal it contained 2,133 pipes, which number has been increased
to 2,873, viz., great organ 1,311, swell 908, choir organ 504,
pedal organ 150; 45 stops and 7 couplers.
Feb. Rev. A. P. Holme appointed by the Bishop of Chester
to the Rectory of Tattenhall, Cheshire; and on Mar. 1st the rev.
gentleman was presented with a silver inkstand, value £25,
marble timepiece £5, and an electro-plated cruet stand.
March 5th. Collision in the Roadstead between the s.s.
“Chester,” value £8,000, and s.s.
“Thames,” the former being run ashore north of the
Britannia Pier.
March 20th. Fire on board the iron s.s.
“Emily.”
April 27th. The first portion of St. James’
Church, which cost about £1,000, was opened by the Bishop
of
Columbia. The entire building, when finished, will cost
£8,000 or £10,000.
April 28th. The south aisle of St. Nicholas’
Church, after being rebuilt, opened with a full choral service,
the Lord Bishops of Rochester and Norwich officiating in the
service. This service was the grandest since Aug., 1848,
when Dr. Stanley and Dr. Wilberforce preached at the opening
services, after the old galleries, pews, &c., had been swept
away. The Church covers an area of 23,085 square feet; is
228 ft. long and 110 ft. wide, transept 148 ft.; and will
accommodate 5,500 worshippers.
April. Captains Spencer Smyth, R.N., and C. Dent
promoted to the rank of Rear-Admirals. The former served in
several naval engagements from March, 1803 (when he entered as
Midshipman on board the “Dreadnought,” 98 guns), to
Oct. 22nd, 1827, the date he was promoted to the rank of
Commander; and from 19th of March, 1833, to Oct., 1835, he filled
the position of Assistant-Commander of the Coastguard at
Yarmouth; and promoted to Captain on the reserve list F.G., July
28th, 1851, for meritorious services. (See Aug. 3rd.)
Admiral Dent also served in several similar engagements since the
year 1810.
May 18th. Gaol Street altered to its original name,
Middlegate Street.
May. Baptist Chapel in Row 14 sold to Sir E. H. K.
Lacon, and converted into a beer store. In excavating, an
immense leaden coffin was discovered, besides the human bones of
persons long since departed this life, which were
re-interred. On Aug. 25th the cornerstone of the new Chapel
on Wellesley Road was laid. (See April 7th, 1871.)
May 30th. Lord Mahon, eldest son of Earl Stanhope,
returned as Member of Parliament for East Suffolk, including
Gorleston. Votes—Mahon, 3,456; Colonel Sir Shafto
Adair, Bart., 3,285; including Gorleston votes, M., 245; A.,
183.
June 6th. Mr. E. Cattermoul, librarian, presented with a
watch, value £25, and a cheque for £31 10s., by the
subscribers to the Public library.
July
12th. Middlegate Congregational Church rebuilt and
opened. This building alone cost £4,000, the
architect being Mr. J. T. Bottle, of Yarmouth.
July 18th. John Bately, Esq., of Southtown, was admitted
a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians of London, having
passed on Sept. 24th, 1864, the examination in Arts at
Apothecaries’ Hall; on May 6th, 1868, admitted a member of
the Royal College of Surgeons; and on July 2nd of the same year,
a licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries of London. On
October 1st, 1868, this gentleman, at the opening of the Medical
Session of Queen’s College, Birmingham, by Lord Littleton,
received from the hands of the Bishop of Worcester the Council
Prize of the Sydenham College—the highest honour the
College could confer.
July 27th. Mr. M. E. Sturge, the newly-appointed
bandmaster of the East Norfolk Militia, presented with a
richly-chased ebony and gold baton by the members of the band, as
a mark of their respect and esteem.
Aug. 3rd. Police-constable Shreeve gallantly rescued a
lady, who had fallen overboard while in the act of landing from
the London passenger steamer “Albion,” from
drowning.
Aug. 3rd. Mr. W. S. Stanford appointed Harbour Master in
the place of Rear-Admiral S. Smyth.
Aug. 7th. H.M.S. “Penelope” put into
Yarmouth, but left on the 12th. This ironclad vessel, under
the command of Lieut. Mogel, is a double screw corvette, 600
horse-power, 3,096 tons, carries ten guns, and a crew of 400 all
told.
Aug. 8th. Edward Youell, Esq., died at Yarmouth, aged 89
years. This much respected gentleman was a partner for 42
years in the banking firm, of Lacons, Youell, and Co., from which
he retired in 1863, having been in the house nearly 70 years.
Aug. 8th. A fishing trawler driven into the new works of
the Jetty (see Aug. 20th, 1808), carrying away one of the piles,
and knocking down the pile-driving machine, which fell on her
deck and completely crushed it.
Aug. Mr. William James Palmer, L.S.A., admitted a
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
Aug. 18th. Mr. J. S. Dominy, previous to leaving for
York, resigned the position of Head Master of the Government
School of Art in favour of Mr. J. F. Ryan.
Aug. 20th. Mr. John Harrington gallantly rescued two men
from drowning on Yarmouth Beach; and during the present year he
was instrumental in saving the lives of two others, for which he
was awarded a testimonial on vellum by the Royal Humane
Society.
Aug. 23rd. Great Yarmouth Annual Marine Regatta took
place. The first Annual Roads Regatta was held Aug. 1st,
1834.
Sept. 1st. Meeting convened by the Mayor at the Town
Hall on behalf of the sick and wounded in the Franco-German war;
£297 6s. 7d. collected in the town, out of which sum
£291 16s. was forwarded, when the list closed in Jan.,
1871, to the National Society.
Sept. 22nd. S. J. F. Stafford, Esq., surgeon, presented
with an elegant crystal-and-gold claret jug, and on Dec. 29th
with a silver salver by the Nottingham Order of Oddfellows, as a
token of their esteem.
Sept. Miss Emma Pearson, daughter of the late Capt.
Pearson, of Yarmouth, sacrificed the comforts of her home to
undergo suffering and privation in a foreign country as head
nurse amidst the carnage of battle fields, and too much cannot be
said in praise of her conduct. On being invited by Count
Bernstoff to the Prussian Embassy, she received many merited
thanks for her kindness and attention to the German
wounded. (See Aug., 1872.)
Oct. 14th. Heavy gale, in which the “Ex,” of
Yarmouth, foundered; and on the 16th, the lugger
“Proverb,” of Gorleston, and six other vessels.
Oct. 24th and 25th. The most beautiful display of the
Aurora Borealis witnessed since 1707.
Nov. 18th. The s.s. “M. E. Clarke” totally
lost on Hasbro’ Sands, and her crew of 16 hands landed at
Cromer.
Nov.
26th. The s.s. “Dolphin,” with cattle for
London, towed into Yarmouth Roadstead. To save the vessel,
150 bullocks and 250 sheep were thrown overboard.
Dec. 13th. The catch of herrings this season up to this
date was 18,394 lasts, which realised no less a sum than
£180,000. One boat brought in 142 lasts, another 132
lasts, and others were almost equally successful. Last
year’s catch was about 13,221 lasts; and in 1868, 15,476
lasts. 12 vessels left with 28,390 barrels of bloaters for
exportation.
During the summer season, the town was visited by upwards of
78,000 people, viz., 63,000 by rail, and 15,000 by the passenger
steamers “Albion” and “Seine.”
A mackerel, 19 in. long, 10½ in. in girth, and weighing
2 lbs. 11 ozs., brought ashore.
One hundred and fifty-six fully-licensed public-houses, 16
hotels, and 88 beer-houses, including Gorleston—making a
total of 260.
Deaths: Jan. 9th, Thomas Brightwen, Esq., J.P., senior local
partner in the banking firm of Messrs. Gurneys, Birkbeck, and
Co., aged 57.—Feb. 24th, D. Stewart, Esq., aged
79.—Feb., Mr. Henry Jay, shipowner, and formerly a Member
of the Corporation.—April 4th, the Rev. John Meffin, 50
years minister of the Countess of Huntingdon Connexion, aged
93.—May 25th, John Branch, Esq., aged 74.—May 31st,
Mr. George Alexander, artist, aged 64.—June 1st, at
Yarmouth, Alex. John, son of the late Samuel Grimmer, Esq., of
Haddiscoe Hall, aged 61.—July 21st, Mr. Samuel Cubitt
Richmond, merchant, a Member of the Town Council.—Oct. 6th,
at Portsmouth, Col. Edwin Wodehouse, C.B., R.A., Aide-de-camp to
the Queen, eldest son of the late Admiral the Hon. Philip
Wodehouse, aged 53.—Oct. 17th, Mr. Edward Stagg, a Member
of the Town Council, aged 57 (see Feb., 1866).—Nov. 14th,
C. E. Bartram, Esq., J.P., and Town Councillor, aged
72.—Nov. 30th, Henry Holt Barber, Esq., a Member of the
Town Council, aged 38.—Dec. 19th, Mr. Henry Fellows,
shipbuilder, at Southtown, aged 69.
The
cost of lighting the town (330) lamps with gas this year was
£1,178 12s.
Launches: Feb. 14th, the smack “Valentine;” June
20th, the brigantine “Ethel,” 100 feet long, and 200
tons register, belonging to W. J. Foreman, Esq., launched, after
being repaired, from Mr. Rust’s yard; Aug. 29th, the new
trawling smack “Bonny Boys;” Oct. 1st, the fishing
lugger “Guiding Star;” Nov. 17th, the lifeboat
“Bolton,” built by Messrs. Beeching, of Yarmouth,
publicly inaugurated at Kessingland; Nov. 19th, trawling smack
“Statesman;” Dec. 14th, smack
“Galatea.”
Jan. 3rd. A male otter caught in one of the Broads near
Yarmouth. It weighed 30 lbs., and was four feet long, the
tail alone measuring 21 inches.
Jan. 9th. Lady King, late of Telegraph House, died at
Maddingley Hall, Cambridge.
Jan. 13th. Race for £100 on the ice covering the
Southtown marshes, between Mr. Barnes’ pony (ridden by the
owner) and an excellent skater named Woodhouse. The
rough-shod pony won by several yards.
Jan. 13th. Public subscriptions for aiding the wounded
in the Franco-German war amounted to £297 6s. 7d.
Jan. 27th. Forty-five screw steamers passed up through the
Roadstead within three hours.
Jan. 18,709 lasts of herrings caught during the last
voyage, or 5,353 lasts more than the previous year’s
catch.
The rateable value of the Borough as per last poor rate,
£96,556 10s., and the number of ratepayers 9,750.
Seventy-five schools provided accommodation for 5,370 pupils,
viz., Yarmouth, 65 schools, 4,587 children; Gorleston and
Southtown, 10 schools, 781 children.
The total receipts of the Board of Health for the past year
were £6,819 8s. 8d., and the expenditure £6,698
19s.
Feb. 4th. Robert Steward, Esq., J.P., died at Cambridge,
aged 57. This gentleman was five times Mayor of the
Borough, and was also a Member of the Town Council for upwards of
20 years.
Feb.
7th. Fire in Broad Row at the shop of Mr. J. H. Lay.
About £100 worth of damage done.
Feb. 18th. Mantby Hall destroyed by fire.
Feb. Two whitings caught by the smack “Dutch
Trader”—one measured 26 inches and the other 24
inches.—The number of fishing boats belonging to Yarmouth,
according to a Parliamentary return, amounted to 900, of the
aggregate tonnage of 14,788, giving employment to 4,051 men and
530 boys.
March. Lieut. Fyson appointed Captain of the 2nd Company
of Rifle Volunteers on the retirement of Capt. Tomlinson.
C. C. Aldred, Esq., appointed a Justice of the Peace for East
Suffolk in place of the late R. Steward, Esq.
March 3rd. Police-constable George Shreeve met with a
fatal accident by falling from the fire escape at the Police
Station. (See Aug. 3rd, 1870.)
March 29th. Mr. A. D. Stone purchased the barque
“Frederica,” with stores, &c., for
£1,425.
April 3rd. Census taken. Population of Yarmouth,
33,880; Gorleston and Southtown, 6,645; exclusive of about 700
absentees at sea. Number of houses: Yarmouth, 8,098;
Gorleston, 1,534. Population of surrounding villages:
Belton, 582; Bradwell, 387; Burgh Castle, 409; Fritton, 221;
Hopton, 309; Ashby, 95; Blundeston, 716; Corton, 530; Flixton,
52; Gunton, 73; Herringfleet, 230; Lound, 422; Oulton, 860;
Somerleyton, 592; Flegg Hundreds, 9,381.
April 7th. The new Tabernacle on Wellesley Road opened
for Divine worship. It cost £2,496. (See May,
1870.)
April 19th. Mr. H. Fenner’s smack
“Sebastopol” destroyed by fire whilst at sea.
April 19th. Edmund Girling, Esq., formerly in Messrs.
Gurneys and Co.’s bank, died in London, aged 75. He
was a talented artist.
April 22nd. The screw steamer “Kestrel,”
with emigrants for America (about 150), run down by the screw
collier “Frankland,” near Cromer. All hands
saved.
April
24th. The smack “Otter,” launched.
April. A beautifully-stained window placed in St.
Nicholas’ Church to the memory of the late John Goate
Fisher, Esq., Mayor of the Borough in 1820.
The number of wherries registered as belonging to the river
Bure was 103, of 1,846 tons burthen.
May 4th. Mr. J. R. Baumgartner passed his examination at
Apothecaries’ Hall.
May 6th. Richard Hammond, Esq., J.P., died at Yarmouth,
aged 78. This much-respected gentleman was the oldest
Magistrate of the Borough, having been called to the Bench in
1841; he was also a Port and Haven Commissioner. On the
Bench he once remarked that our smacksmen “earned their
money like horses, but spent it like asses.”
Under the general poor rate and compounds in Yarmouth, there
were 5,136 tenements, of the total value of £81,222
10s.
May 31st. David A. Gourlay, Esq., J.P., died at
Yarmouth, aged 88 years. He was elected Mayor of the
Borough in 1849, and was for many years a respected member of the
Town Council. (See April 4th, 1867.)
June 6th. Salmon Palmer, J. W. de Caux, and Garson
Blake, Esqs., nominated by the Town Council as new Magistrates
for the Borough.
June 10th. Nearly 50 porpoises observed disporting
themselves in the Roadstead.
June 13th to 24th. The D. Battery B. Brigade of Royal
Horse Artillery encamped on the North Denes, under the command of
Captain Strangways. 120 rank and file, having 116 horses,
and 6 9-pound rifle-loading guns, &c.
June 21st. Messrs. F. S. Smyth and R. G. Bately
acquitted themselves satisfactorily in their preliminary
examinations at the Royal College of Surgeons, London.
June. Major W. J. Foreman, 1st Norfolk Artillery
Volunteers, passed his examination and received a certificate of
efficiency at the School of Instruction formed at Woolwich, under
Lieut.-Colonel Woolsey, R.A.
June. Messrs. J. T. Waters, F. Burton, and F. W.
Dendy passed final examination at the London Incorporated Law
Society.
July 9th. Fire on the fishing premises of Messrs. Bland
Brothers, Queen’s Road. A public subscription was
made on their behalf.
July 13th. Boat accident in the Roadstead, by which a
man and two boys, out of a crew of five, were drowned, the youths
being members of a Norwich Church Choir.
July 15th. The 1st Suffolk and (on the 18th) 1st Norfolk
Rifle Volunteers encamped for a week on the North Denes.
The former mustered in all about 600 men.
July 26th. H.M.S. “Repulse,” 12 guns,
3,749 tons burthen, 800 h.p., commanded by Capt. Rollins, came
into the Roads to embark 50 coastguardsmen.
July 30th. A terrific thunder peal, the like not having
been heard for many years. The electric fluid did a
considerable amount of damage to the residence of Mr. Hinchman
Hammond.
Aug. 1st. The new smack “Zephyr,” on Aug.
3rd the fishing boat “Henry and Edmund,” and on Aug.
7th the dandy smack “Coral” launched. Since
August last year 30 smacks and fishing boats had been launched at
the various shipyards in Yarmouth and Gorleston.
Aug. 7th. Miss E. Pearson, accompanied by Miss L. E.
MacLaughlin, paid a visit to the Sailors’ Home, having just
returned from the Franco-German War. In October these two
ladies had conferred upon them the bronze cross and diploma of
the Society de Secours aux Blessés of France, in
recognition of their services on the battle fields of Metz,
Sedan, and Orleans. (See Sept., 1870, Aug., 1872, and Aug.
8th, 1876.)
Aug. 11th. Fatal accident to Mr. Henry Worlledge, third
son of the County Court Judge, while bathing at Folkestone.
Aug. 14th. E. P. Youell, Esq., who had for 11 years
previous been Captain of the 2nd Company Rifle Volunteers, was
presented by the members of his company at the Drill Hall with a
handsome silver salver, value £13, as a mark of esteem.
Aug. 15th. Mrs. Levina Onslow died at Yarmouth, aged 75
years. This lady was the widow of the late Capt. John James
Onslow, R.N., post-captain in H.M.’s Royal Navy, and last
commanding H.M.S. “Daphne,” as senior officer in New
Zealand in 1845; and mother of the late Rev. W. Lake Onslow,
M.A., R.N., formerly chaplain on board the “St.
George” with the Duke of Edinburgh, and subsequently
domestic chaplain to the Prince and Princess of Wales at
Sandringham. (See June 1st, 1862.) The Rev. Onslow
was educated as a boy at the old Grammar School, under the Rev.
T. C. Clowes, M.A., of Queen’s College, Cambridge, and his
grandfather, as Admiral, commanded the squadron in the Roads
after the Camperdown action.
Aug. 15th. A congratulatory address voted by the Town
Council to Sir James Paget, on her Majesty conferring upon him a
baronetcy. Sir James is the son of the late Samuel Paget,
Esq., a long resident in this town. The same honour was
conferred by George IV. in 1821 on Astley Cooper, Esq., son of
Dr. Cooper, minister of St. Nicholas’ Church. (See
June 15th, 1858.)
Aug. 15th. Brigantine “Edward,” belonging to
Mr. W. J. Foreman, launched, after extensive repairs, from Mr.
Rust’s yard. The same morning, a new lugger,
belonging to Mr. G. Palmer, was launched from the same
shipbuilder’s yard.
Aug. 17th. Tenders opened for laying a common sewer
through Gorleston and Southtown, viz., 350 feet run of from 2 to
3½ feet brick sewer, and about 5,500 feet run of pipe
sewer, from 9 to 15 inches in diameter. A tender of
£1,725 was accepted by the Gorleston Board of Health.
(See June 25th, 1872.)
Aug. 23rd. The sale of Mr. J. Tomlinson’s business
premises, Howard Street, realised £11,390.
Aug. 25th. Fire at Mr. C. Garwood’s fish-house in
Charlotte Street; very little damage done.
Aug.
28th. H.M.’s paddle-frigate “Terrible,”
1,850 tons burthen, 800 horse power, 19 guns, commanded by Capt.
Travenen, passed through the Roadstead.
Aug. 31st. The Yarmouth Horticultural Society’s
first show, held in St. George’s Park, which was entirely
enclosed with boarding, was a grand horticultural and floral
fête, and patronised by most of the élite of the
town. The East Norfolk Militia and Artillery Militia bands
played at intervals during the day.
Aug. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales accepted the hon.
colonelcy of the Norfolk Artillery Militia, rendered vacant by
the death of Lord Hastings.
Sept. Mons. A. A. Desfougerais, Vice-Consul to the
French Government, after 11 years’ residence in Yarmouth,
obtained an appointment in the Foreign Office in Paris. On
Sept. 22nd this gentleman was presented with a claret jug and
cup, value £40, as testimony of respect.
Sept. 11th. The dandy smack “Fern,” 54 feet
long, 7 ft. 2 in. deep, and 32 4-100ths tonnage, launched from
Mr. R. Rust’s yard.
Sept. 17th. Organ at St. George’s Chapel re-opened
after being restored.
Sept. 17th. The Rev. C. Voysey, B.A., late Vicar of
Heaulaugh, preached at the Unitarian Chapel.
Sept. 22nd. The smack “Maria and Isabella,”
belonging to Mr. Seago, of this port, ran into by the barque
“Rock City,” near the Dogger Bank, where she
foundered, and four of her crew were drowned.
Sept. 25th. The captain of the passenger steamer
“Albion,” plying between Yarmouth and London, fined
£6 11s. for having on board 448 passengers, or 111 more
than the vessel was chartered to carry.
Sept. 29th. The new General Post Office, Regent Street,
opened.
Sept. 29th and 30th. The brig “New Fair
Trader,” and the fishing lugger “Black-eye’d
Susan,” of this port, received much damage.
Oct. Number of persons by excursion trains during the
summer was—Vauxhall Station, 47,176; Southtown, 35,383;
total, 82,559. Last season, V., 32,103: S., 26,009; total,
58,112.
Oct.
4th. The schooner “John Watson,” belonging to
Messrs. Watling, of this port, collided with the barque
“Thomas Knox,” in the Roadstead, and the former
sunk. Crew saved.
Oct. 5th. Mr. William Mallam Vores admitted a licentiate
of the Society of Apothecaries.
Oct. 16th. The screw steamer “Annie
Bronghton,” 120 h.p., 782 tons register, 230 feet long, 32
ft. beam, drawing 19 ft. of water, and valued at £22,000,
while on a voyage from Newcastle to Alexandria with 1,650 tons of
coal, got on Hasbro’ Sands, but was assisted off after four
days’ hard exertions. The salvage claims amounted to
£1,300.
Oct. 16th. Fire at Mr. A. Tabraham’s jewellery
shop on St. Peter’s Road. Considerable damage
done.
Oct. 16th. A royal sturgeon caught off Yarmouth.
It was 7 ft. 10 in. long, and weighed 28 stone.
Oct. 18th. The new Corn Hall, Howard Street, opened by a
public dinner, to which nearly 200 gentlemen sat down, including
Viscount Mahon, M.P., Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., the Hon.
F. Walpole, M.P., C. S. Read, Esq., M.P., E. Corrance, Esq.,
M.P., and the Mayor (E. H. L. Preston, Esq.) H. S. Grimmer,
Esq., occupied the chair.
Oct. 24th. George S. Harcourt, Esq., of Ankerwych,
formerly M.P. for Bucks, died at St. George’s Square,
Belgravia, aged 64 years. This gentleman established the
Yarmouth Sailors’ Home.
Oct. 26th. A silver tea-kettle, value £25,
presented as a testimonial to the Rev. R. J. Dundas, prior to his
leaving the town for Albury, near Guildford.
Oct. 30th. The Rev. W. Boycott, rector and patron of
Burgh St. Peter, died at Ormesby, aged 73 years.
Nov. Mr. Ziba Rayson passed his third and final
examination at the Law Society’s Hall, London.
Nov. 3rd. Fire at the drapery shop of Mr. E. Bostock,
King Street, and damage done to the amount of £350.
(See 1884.)
Nov. The smack “Evangeline,” built for Mr.
Olley of this town, launched from Mr. Fellows’
shipyard.
Nov.
14th. The iron screw steamer “Benjamin
Whitworth,” 639 tons register, 99 h.p. (Capt. John
Smith), got upon the Cross Sands and encountered a terrifically
heavy sea; but after great perseverance she was floated off on
the following day. The steam tug “Reliance,”
value £2,500, belonging to the Standard Company, while
assisting the “Whitworth,” struck against a piece of
sunken wreck, and so rendered leaky. She was run on to
Caister beach, where she became a total wreck. (See Dec.
4th, 1875.)
Nov. 14th. A fleet of some 1,200 sailing vessels passed
through the Roadstead.
Nov. 25th. The fishing lugger “Sailor’s
Friend,” value, with nets, &c., about £850, the
property of Mr. C. Rumbold, was run into by the French screw
steamer “Union Bayonnaise,” which caused the lugger
to founder. Crew all saved.
Nov. 30th to Dec. 2nd. Heavy gale. Lifeboat crews
performed several daring acts of bravery, and although about 25
hands were unfortunately lost near Yarmouth, no less than 23
shipwrecked men were rescued and taken to the Sailors’
Home.
Dec. 4th. Smack “George and Elizabeth” ran
ashore north of the North Pier, where she went to pieces, her
crew being rescued by the rocket apparatus.
Dec. 4th. Rev. A. T. Shelley, Congregational minister at
Aylesbury, and formerly of this town, died at Aylesbury, Bucks,
aged 45.
Dec. 6th. Intense frost. Every street and road one
mass of ice, and so smooth and slippery as to render walking
upright impossible. Several accidents occurred to people
and horses.
Dec. 9th. The smack “Friendship,” value
£400, lost in the North Sea.
Dec. 10th. The new steamer “South Tyne”
stranded on North Scroby Sand. She was got off the next
morning after 100 tons of coal had been thrown overboard.
Salvage services amounted to £1,000.
Dec. 11th. The market tolls, &c., were let by public
competition by Mr. S. Aldred for £890 per annum. (See
Aug. 21st, 1876.)
Dec.
15th. The smack “Dagmar” on fire in the
harbour. Much damaged.
Dec. 19th. The smack “Emma,” valued at
£300, totally destroyed by fire while in the North
Sea. Crew rescued.
Dec. 19th. The screw collier “Magdeburg”
struck on Scroby Sand, but was got off by the steam tug
“Reliance” for £200.
Dec. In the 2nd Norfolk Rifle Volunteers in 1871 there
were in the five companies 11 officers, 22 sergeants, and 460
men, 87 of whom were marksmen.
The 600 fishing craft belonging to this port pay annually for
towage about £4,000.
A new Primitive Methodist Chapel opened at Bradwell.
Mr. J. T. Clarke, solicitor, appointed a Commissioner to
administer oaths in the High Court of Admiralty in England.
Two hundred and forty millions of herring landed at the Fish
Wharf during the whole of the present season.
The number of shipwrecked men received during the year at the
Sailors’ Home was 228.
A whiting measuring 26 inches caught on the coast.
Jan. 1st, The barque “Sing Tai” (Rising Sun), 500
tons, launched from Messrs. Beeching’s shipyard.
Jan. 1st. The brigantine “Sybil,” belonging
to Mr. H. H. Gambling, while entering the harbour got on the
North Sand, and was wrecked. Value, £400.
Jan. 3rd. Rear-Admiral Charles Calmady Dent, of
Yarmouth, died. (See April 4th.)
Jan. 5th. Sir Francis Crossley, Bart., M.P., of
Somerleyton Hall, died at Belle Vue, Halifax, aged 54 years.
Jan. 10th. First prosecution for Sunday trading
instituted, the magistrates fining two delinquents—Messrs.
Duffell—5s. each and costs. This continued weekly for
over five years.
Jan. 12th. Restoration of Gorleston Church mooted.
On May 15th Mr. Hubbard’s (East Dereham) contract of
£2,642 accepted. (See June 12th, 1873.)
Jan.
16th. Loyal addresses voted by the Council to the Queen on
the recovery of the Prince of Wales from a severe illness; also
congratulatory addresses to the Prince and Princess.
Jan. 17th. Gallant lifeboat service by the Caister
beachmen during a heavy gale, in the preservation of the barque
“Jessie,” and the whole of her crew.
Jan. 25th. The Gorleston Board of Health resolved to
borrow £1,000, in addition to the £3,500 previously
borrowed for the Southtown drainage. (See Aug. 17th,
1871.)
Jan. 28th. John Lomas Cufaude, Esq., solicitor, died,
aged 61 years. The deceased was Clerk of the Peace, Clerk
to the Board of Guardians, and Superintendent Registrar of this
Borough.
Jan. 29th. Caleb Burrell Rose, Esq., F.G.S., died, aged
81 years.
Jan. 29th. Supt. G. Tewsley presented with a
richly-chased silver cup, at the Bear Hotel, by the sergeants and
constables of the Borough Police, as a memento of their
esteem.
Feb. 2nd. F. Danby Palmer, Esq., elected Supt.
Registrar, and on the 9th Clerk to the Board of Guardians.
Feb. 2nd. Further experiments in the Roadstead with
Harvey’s sea torpedoes, under the inspection of gentlemen
representing the American Government.
Feb. 9th, 10th, and 18th. Action in the Court of
Chancery—I. and C. A. Preston versus the Mayor,
Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough—to recover
£20,000, lent by various mortgagees on the general district
rates. Bill dismissed with costs. An appeal was made
against the judgment in the same Court on June 19th, with a like
result.
Feb. 13th. Isaac Preston, jun., Esq., elected Clerk of
the Peace by the Town Council; and on March 5th, Visiting
Justices’ Clerk.
Feb. 23rd. Brigantine “Isabella Walker”
collided with the steam tug “Andrew Woodhouse,” the
latter sustaining damage to the amount of £50.
Feb. 27th. General Thanksgiving Day for the recovery
from sickness of the Prince of Wales observed in Yarmouth.
Feb. £4,680 required for the restoration of
Gorleston Church. (See Jan. 12th, 1872, and April 28th,
1876.)
March 1st. Mr. G. M. Burton elected Vaccination
Officer.
March 2nd. Smack “Queen of the Fleet”
launched from Messrs. Smith and Son’s shipyard.
March 14th. J. Cherry, Esq., of the Norfolk Circuit,
took the oaths and handed in his formal appointment as Clerk of
the Peace for Suffolk, conferred by the Lord Lieutenant of the
County (Lord Stradbroke), vacated by the late Mr. Borton, who
held the office 30 years prior to his death.
March 22nd. Henry Negus Burroughes, Esq., died at
Burlingham Hall, aged 82 years. This gentleman was elected
M.P. for East Norfolk in Aug., 1837; July, 1841; Aug., 1847; and
July, 1852, with the late Edmund Wodehouse, Esq., as a colleague,
on the last two occasions without opposition. In 1855,
however, Mr. Wodehouse, accepting the Chiltern Hundreds, Sir
Henry J. Stracey was returned in the place of that hon.
gentleman, but at the dissolution in March, 1857, they neither of
them went to the poll. Mr. Burroughes was a Port and Haven
Commissioner for over 45 years. The Rev. Randall
Burroughes, who married a sister of Lord Suffield, succeeded to
the possession of his fine landed property.
March 30th. Nathaniel Palmer, Esq., died at
Coltishall. He was born at Yarmouth in Oct., 1792. In
1827 was called to the bar by the Inner Temple, and in 1886
appointed Judge of the Guildhall Court of Norwich and Recorder of
Great Yarmouth.
March. The loop-line between Somerleyton and St.
Olave’s on the Great Eastern Railway opened.
April 4th. Marriage of Lieut. Charles Francis Hastings
Dent, commanding H.M.S. “Orwell,” eldest son of the
late Admiral Dent and Lady Selina (daughter of the 11th Earl of
Huntingdon), with Miss Jane Collins, of Bury, was celebrated at
St. Mary’s Church. (See Jan. 3rd.)
April 19th. Corner-stone of the new schools in
connection with St. James’ Mission laid.
April
24th. Simms Reeve, Esq., took the declaration at the
Tolhouse Hall on acceptance of the office of Recorder of
Yarmouth.
May 2nd. The fine new lugger “Sir Roger
Tichborne” launched from Messrs. Smith’s shipyard at
Runham.
May 13th. The smack “Renown,” belonging to
Messrs. Smith and Son, fouled the South Pier, and afterwards sunk
with her cargo of fish in the harbour.
May 13th. The Dutch man-of-war brig
“Tornate,” used as a training ship, and having on
board 110 boys and 10 men and officers, was towed into our
harbour.
May 20th. A young shark, about six feet long, caught off
Yarmouth, and landed on the beach.
May 20th. Serious accident to J. W. de Caux, Esq., J.P.,
by falling from a cart on the Marine Parade.
May. A salmon weighing 12½ lbs., and two salmon
trout, one 15 lbs. in weight, and the other 2 ft. 4 in. long,
taken near Caister.
May 29th. James Scott, Esq., J.P., a shipowner of this
port, died, aged 69 years. (See June, 1863.)
June 6th. First visit to Yarmouth of H.R.H. the Prince
of Wales, attended by the Earl of Leicester, Major-General
Probyn, C.B., and Col. Teesdale. This never-to-be-forgotten
visit of the Heir Apparent to the Throne was the grandest event
in respect to the general superb decorations and illuminations,
together with the rapturous enthusiasm and open generosity of the
populace, ever recorded in the annals of local history.
Some 3,500 excursionists from Norwich, as well as numbers from
neighbouring districts, flocked into the town on the two first
days. The Prince and suite, who were entertained here by
James Cuddon, Esq., J.P., at Shadingfield Lodge, left the Borough
on the 8th by the East Suffolk line, en route for
London.
June 6th. The new Grammar School opened by H.R.H. the
Prince of Wales, K.G.
June 6th. Primitive Methodist Conference opened at
Yarmouth, and lasted for a week. Number of members in 1872,
161,464.
June
13th. Two Companies of 33rd Regiment of Foot (Duke of
Wellington’s) and the staff of the Essex Rifle Militia, 152
rank and file, arrived at the Southtown barracks, where they
stayed for a month.
June 15th. At Cambridge, the degree of Doctor of
Divinity conferred on the Rev. J. J. Raven, head master of the
Yarmouth Grammar School.
June 15th. Mr. Edward Fyson, a member of the Town
Council, and a Captain in the 2nd Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, died,
aged 37 years.
July 9th. William Sheppard, Esq., died, aged 76.
July 11th. Heavy tempest. Mr. Burton
Steward’s house struck by lightning, and the interior of
more than one room was damaged by the electric fluid.
July 16th. The Royal Humane Society presented Mr. Thomas
Joyce with the usual honorary testimonial on parchment for saving
the life of a lad named F. J. Martin, while in a very precarious
state in the sea. This was the second testimonial Mr. Joyce
had received for his bravery.
July. Cuddon-Fletcher, Esq., of Somerton (son of James
Cuddon, Esq., late of Shadingfield Lodge), created a Justice of
the Peace for Norfolk.
Aug. The decoration of the Order of Sanitat Kreuz
Militar of Hesse Darmstadt, conferred on Miss E. Pearson (of
Yarmouth) and Miss L. E. MacLaughlin, for their attention as
nurses to the wounded soldiers in the Franco-German war.
(See Sept., 1870, and Aug. 7th, 1871.)
Aug. 8th. The new organ in St. Mary’s Church,
Southtown, opened with a full choral service. This
fine-toned instrument was built by Mr. W. C. Mack, of Yarmouth,
at a cost of £250. (See Sept. 9th, 1875.)
Aug. 9th. Mr. R. Collins resigned the appointment of
Town Hall keeper, which he had held for 20 years, and was
succeeded on Aug. 13th by Mr. George Harvey. (See Oct.
20th, 1874.)
Aug. 10th. By an Act of Parliament this day in force
different independent sanitary bodies were placed under one
authority, including the Yarmouth and Gorleston Local
Boards. Yarmouth Town Council then became the sanitary authority
for the whole district, at the same time taking possession of the
property in Gorleston and Southtown, assessed at
£15,700.
Aug. 13th. H. Fellows, F. Dendy, and S. W. Spelman,
Esqs., appointed as Magistrates for the Borough.
Aug. 13th. Mr. C. H. Chamberlin’s resignation as
Borough Coroner accepted by the Town Council. Mr. William
Holt was at the same meeting appointed his successor. (See
Dec. 5th, 1883.)
Aug. 18th. John Hillam Mills, Esq., banister, died at
Lowestoft. The deceased gentleman acted as Deputy-Recorder
of Yarmouth during the many years’ protracted illness of
the late Mr. N. Palmer. (See March 30th, 1872.)
Aug. 20th. Edward Harbord Lushington Preston, Esq.,
died. He was Mayor of the Borough at the time, and held
several offices of responsibility. Born on Nov. 4th,
1806. The remains of deceased were intended in the family
vault in St. Nicholas’ Churchyard, near the Cemetery.
Aug. 20th. The new smack “Star,” built for
Mr. Fleming Hewitt, launched from the shipyard of Mr. J. H.
Fellows.
Aug. 27th. Charles Woolverton, Esq., elected Mayor to
the 1st of November, in the place of the late E. H. L. Preston,
Esq.
Aug. 29th. Part of the fleet of H.M.’s ironclads,
under the command of Rear-Admiral G. G. Randolph, C.B., anchored
in the Roadstead. The fleet comprised the
“Achilles,” 26 guns; “Hector,” 18;
“Penelope,” 11; “Audacious,” 11;
“Vanguard,” 14; “Black Prince,” 28;
“Resistance,” 16; “Favourite,” 10;
“Valiant,” 18; and the dispatch boat
“Imogen.” In the whole squadron there were some
4,500 men, including about 1,500 coastguardsmen. The
Admiral’s ship (“Achilles”) carried 750 men,
had 40 furnaces, and when steaming at full speed consumed at the
rate of 250 tons of coal a day.
Sept. 29th. The lugger “Bee” (formerly
“Prima Donna”), belonging to Mr. T. Tyrrell, of this
port, foundered about 60 miles abreast of Winterton.
Oct.
3rd. Destructive fire at the shop of Messrs. Leach
Brothers, oilmen, &c., Market Place, which resulted in the
almost entire destruction of the shop and stock-in-trade.
Estimated loss, £1,000; property saved, value about
£400.
Oct. 11th. Heavy gale. Loss of the schooner
“Lucy,” belonging to Mr. R. Barber, of this port, on
Whitby beach.
Oct. 14th. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., laid the
first plate of the Gorleston tramway, which ceremony was
celebrated by a banquet at the Town Hall in the evening.
Oct. 16th. Mr. J. Suffling’s smack
“Humility” driven ashore in a gale north of Britannia
Pier.
Oct. 17th. Terrible accident on the Great Eastern
Railway near Kelvedon—18 people wounded and one killed,
among the former being William Worship, Esq., of Yarmouth.
Oct. 26th. The schooner “Blyliam” foundered
in the North Sea. Mr. Walter Haylett, master of the smack
“Eclipse,” was subsequently awarded a silver medal
and certificate of honour by the King of the Netherlands for
rescuing the crew.
Oct. 29th and five following days. The sale of Mr. J.
Owles’ collection of pottery and porcelain, at the Corn
Hall, realised £4,738.
Oct. Mr. A. J. Rivett passed the minor examination of
the Pharmaceutical Society.
Oct. The widow of Sir William J. Hooker died. This
lady was the daughter of the late Mr. Dawson Turner, F.R.S., of
Yarmouth, and mother of Dr. Hooker. She was married to Sir
William in 1815.
Oct. The Rev. John Beazor, late of Yarmouth, appointed
to the Rectory of Portland by the Bishop of Oxford. This
rev. gentleman had for six years previously held the sole charge
of Minster Lovell. (See March, 1863.)
Nov. to March, 1873. Pinder’s Royal Circus at
Regent Hall.
Nov. 2nd. The lugger “Good Advice,”
belonging to Mr. John Hart, of Gorleston, run down by a brig.
Nov.
11th to 17th. Heavy gains, the smacks
“Coronella” and “Thomas and Edward” lost,
and all hands (on the 12th), and Gorleston Pier was also damaged
to the extent of £3,339.
Nov. 13th. Mr. A. E. Cowl, third son of Mr. Henry Cowl,
passed his final examination prior to his admission as an
attorney, at the Institute of the Incorporated Law Society,
London.
Nov. 13th. Sudden death of Mr. S. C. Cooke, of Horstead,
at the Thorpe Railway Station, aged 71. The deceased was a
member of the Port and Haven Commission.
Nov. 26th. Captain John Garnham, R.N., died, aged
83. The deceased was 42 years a Magistrate for Suffolk, and
was for some years a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and taken
prisoner by the French in 1814, after which he returned to
England.
Nov. 30th. The smack “Challenger,” reputed
to be the largest built in Yarmouth, was launched from Messrs.
Smith and Son’s yard.
Nov. Mr. F. J. Dowsett passed his final examination for
an attorney at the Incorporated Law Society’s Hall,
Chancery Lane.
Dec. 8th and for several days, a succession of gales.
About 15 vessels in all foundered, and 100 shipwrecked mariners
were received at the Sailors’ Home.
Dec. The Militia Depôt at Yarmouth offered to the
Government at £12,500.
Dec. 21st 14,451 lasts of herrings delivered at the Fishwharf,
as compared with 19,639 lasts for the corresponding period of
1871.
Jan. 3rd. Three men lost in the North Sea out of the
smack “Peep o’ Day,” belonging to Mr. Jex.
Jan. 6th. Boiler explosion on board the s.s.
“Druid,” seven miles off Yarmouth, resulting in the
death of two men and serious injury to three others.
Jan. 8th. Great Yarmouth Licensed Victuallers’
Association established through the exertions of Mr. R. S.
Steele.
Jan.
10th. The new building annexed to the Priory Schools for
the accommodation of some 200 children, opened by the Mayor.
Jan. 20th. Dr. Lushington, judge, philanthropist, and
politician, and late M.P. for Yarmouth, died at his seat near
Ockham, aged 91 years.
Jan. 20th. Charles H. Chamberlin, Esq., Registrar of the
Yarmouth County Court and Borough Coroner, died, aged 51
years.
Jan. 22nd. Mr. Blyth, of this port, and second mate of
the “Northfleet,” lost in that ill-fated vessel, with
over 300 passengers.
Jan. 27th. A halibut, 4 ft. 6 in. in length and weighing
about five stone, caught near Yarmouth.
Jan. Henry John Walker, Esq., solicitor of Brompton,
appointed to the Registrarship of the Yarmouth County
Court. In March, 1875, resigned for a Registrarship in
Southampton, and in Dec., 1876, District Registrar of High Court
of Justice at Manchester.
Jan. A very handsome silver waiter presented to Alderman
W. Laws by the teachers of St. Nicholas’ Sunday School, in
token of their respect.
Feb. 1st. Mr. Holmes’s new smack “Serjeant
Ballantine” launched from Mr. Mack’s shipyard.
Feb. 7th. Great Yarmouth and Eastern Counties’
Aquarium Company registered, with a capital of £50,000 in
shares of £2 each. (See June 18th.)
Feb. 26th. The Rev. J. Partridge, formerly head master
of the Yarmouth Preparatory Grammar School, Southtown, died at
Thornbury, near Bristol, aged 46 years.
March 17th. Mr. George T. Watson, Superintendent of
Sailors’ Home, presented with a handsome gold ring by the
members of the Beachmen’s and Fishermen’s Friendly
Society, as a memento of respect.
March 24th. The steam tug “Minnet” stranded
on the North Sand at the mouth of the harbour.
March. The Rectory of Buckenham, Kent, conferred upon
the Rev. William Cator, B.A., curate of St. Nicholas’
Church.
March
25th. The new brick-built reservoir at Gorleston, belonging
to the Great Yarmouth Water Works Company, opened. It is
115 feet square inside; height from floor to roof, 16 ft., and
holds 800,000 gallons of water, being, when full, 1½ feet
from the top.
March. The Rev. Dr. Raven was presented with a handsome
silver-plated coffee pot, teapot, cream jug, and sugar basin, by
the pupils of the Yarmouth Grammar School as a mark of their
esteem.
April 11th. Loss of the fishing smack
“Vesper,” off the Holland coast; on 19th, in the
North Sea, the dandy “Morgan;” and on 27th, the smack
“Proctor.” Crews all saved.
April 13th (Easter Day). The new peal of bells at
Gorleston Parish Church first rung out. These six bells
were cast by Messrs. Mears and Hainbank, of Whitechapel, and
presented to Gorleston by Miss C. Roberts, of Hersham,
Esher. The tenor bell, weighing 10 cwt., is in the key of
G, and has a chiming apparatus.
April 14th. John Owles, Esq., died at Great Yarmouth,
aged 65 years. (See Feb., 1858, and Oct. 29th, 1872.)
April 17th. H. E. Buxton, Esq., and Captain John
Gilbertson elected Churchwardens of the Parish Church.
Stormy vestry meeting.
April 18th. The Rev. R. Shelley, Unitarian minister of
Yarmouth, died at Newbury, Berks, aged 39 years.
April 24th. The Rev. H. R. Nevill, M.A., vicar of
Yarmouth, formally installed a Canon of Norwich Cathedral.
(See Jan. 25th, 1874.)
April 29th. The schooner “Margaret” sunk in
the harbour whilst crossing the bar. She subsequently broke
up, and the wreck and stores were sold for £40.
April. Bat.-Sergt.-Major E. Cooke, 1st N.A.V., presented
with a massive electro-plated cup by T. Dawson, Esq.
May 1st and 2nd. Sir John Coode, E.C., visited Yarmouth
to inspect and report upon the South Pier and Haven works, and on
the 30th forwarded his report to the Port and Haven
Commissioners. The estimated cost of improvements was put
down by Sir John at £12,880.
May 3rd. Mr. James Mitchell died, in the 100th year of
his age.
May 11th. Robert Palmer Kemp, Esq., J.P. for the
Borough, and also for the County of Norfolk, died at Coltishall,
aged 70 years.
May 12th. The Rev. J. W. Colvin, M.A., minister of St.
Andrew’s Church, presented with a pair of handsome oak
study candlesticks and a plated-chased biscuit caddy, by the
Sunday School teachers, and members of the choir and Bible
classes, as a memento of their kindly feeling towards him.
May 25th. Loss of the smack “Active” and
three of her crew in the North Sea, by being run down by the
steamer “Iris.” Value of smack,
£1,000.
May 29th. John Fisher Costerton, Esq., J.P., of this
Borough, died at Yarmouth, aged 88 years. (See 1841.)
May 30th. About 50 members of the Hon. Artillery Company
came from Finsbury, London, to this town by rail, and marched
from Yarmouth to Brundall—a distance of 14 miles—on
the following morning, en route for Norwich.
June 7th. Three of the crew of the smack
“Pioneer,” and one of the
“Ethelwolf’s,” lost at sea whilst ferrying fish
to the London carrying steamers.
June 12th. Rear-Admiral Spencer Smyth promoted to
retired Vice-Admiral in her Majesty’s fleet. (See
April, 1870.)
June 12th. Gorleston Parish Church opened by the Lord
Bishop of Norwich, after its restoration.
June 18th. A resolution passed at a meeting of the
Directors in London to dissolve the first Aquarium Company, the
shares allotted being inadequate to carry out the project as
designed. (See Feb. 7th.)
June 24th. The new smack “Daniel” launched
from Mr. J. H. Fellows’ shipyard.
June. New Wesleyan school at Gorleston completed.
June. Six guns, weighing five tons each, and
carrying shot and shell weighing 50, 71, and 78 lbs.
respectively, landed at Yarmouth from Woolwich for the North and
South batteries, in place of the old 68-pounders.
July 2nd. A young live seal, 2½ feet long,
brought ashore by the crew of the smack “Flying
Fish,”‘ who had captured it in the North Sea.
July 2nd. The Rev. W. Sumpter Beevor, senior curate of
St. Nicholas’ Church, had the degree of M.A. conferred by
the Trinity College, Dublin.
July. Mr. Arthur Vores passed his preliminary
examination for the Fellowship of the College of Surgeons.
Aug. 16th. Mr. H. Jay elected to the office of Fishwharf
Master, on the resignation of Mr. W. Capon.
Aug. A fine new fishing smack, “The Shah,”
launched, also the “Falcon” and the
“Albion.”
Aug. 26th. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales consented to
become a patron of the Yarmouth Marine Regatta, and forwarded a
cheque of £26 5s. through Sir Wm. Knollys for a competition
prize.
Sept. 12th. The King of the Belgians’
superbly-fitted yacht, “Prince Baudoin,” put into
Yarmouth harbour for coal previous to conveying his Majesty
across the Channel from Dover to Ostend on the 16th.
Sept. 15th. The new smack “Mercy” launched
from Messrs. Mack’s yard.
Sept. 25th. The will of Mrs. Jemima Bacon Ciocci,
formerly the wife of Raffaelle Ciocci, late of Yarmouth, proved
under £25,000.
Sept. 29th. A new steam tug, the “Star,” the
property of the Star Steam Tug Company, launched from Messrs.
Beeching’s shipyard. Length, 88 feet; width, 16 ft. 7
in.; depth, 9 ft. 9 in.; builders’ measurement, 113 tons;
gross register, 88 tons, and cost over £2,000. Her
lever engine of 45 h.p. was saved from the
“Minnet.” (See March 24th.)
Sept. Shadingfield Lodge, the Royal residence during the
Prince of Wales’ stay in Yarmouth, in June, 1872, purchased
by S. Nightingale, Esq., for £3,000.
Oct. 1st. Destructive fire at the farm of Mr. T. W.
Daniel, at Caister; damage over £1,000.
Oct.
1st. Loss of the s.s. “Whittington,” of
Newcastle, with 400 tons of coal, on the Middle Cross Sand.
Oct. 7th. Three men lost belonging to the smack
“Ellen,” whilst ferrying 29 packages of fish to the
London carrying steamer, near the Dogger Bank.
Oct. 7th. R. Morgan, Esq., C.E., visited Yarmouth on
behalf of the Local Government Board, and took evidence upon the
matter of the Market Gates’ Improvement, for which a loan
of £2,500 was required for 30 years. Sanction to the
loan given.
Oct. 8th. The lugger “Young Charles” run
down by the s.s. “Osborne,” off Smith’s Knowl
(14 miles off Lowestoft), and the whole of her crew, 10 hands,
unfortunately lost.
Oct. 10th. Demonstration of Freemasons at Yarmouth, on
the opening of the Provincial Grand Lodge at the Hospital School
by the Hon. F. Walpole, M.P., Deputy Provincial Grand Master of
Norfolk.
Oct. 11th. The reputed fastest schooner yacht afloat,
the “Livonia,” 128 tons burthen, and a crew of 16
hands, put into Yarmouth harbour.
Oct. 11th. Dr. James Borrett, late of Yarmouth, died at
Clifton, near Bristol. His remains were interred in
Castleton Churchyard.
Oct. 15th. The high lights on the N.E. corner of the
Sailors’ Home, at an altitude of 60 ft. above high water,
and the lower light on the Britannia Pier, at an elevation of 20
ft., used for the first time.
Oct. 23rd. The new smack “Livonia,”
belonging to Messrs. Smith and Son, launched from their
shipyard.
Oct. 24th. Inspector Berry resigned from the borough
police force, having been unanimously chosen Chief Constable of
Police for Gravesend out of 40 candidates for the appointment, at
a stipend of £200 per annum. He entered on his new
duties on Nov. 1st. (See Jan., 1865.)
Oct. 30th. A testimonial, comprising a gilt-framed
document and a sealskin purse, containing £20, presented to
Police-sergeant Brown by Captain Matthews, on behalf of 64
subscribers, as a mark of respect from the inhabitants of
Gorleston.
Oct. Mr. W. M. Vores resigned the office of
house-surgeon to the Yarmouth Hospital.
Oct. A memorial window, admirable in design and
execution, placed in the Parish Church by the eminent surgeon,
Sir James Paget, a native of Yarmouth, and brother of Professor
Paget, in memory of his father and mother. Samuel Paget
died in 1857, aged 83; Sarah Elizabeth Paget in 1848, aged
65. Twelve of their children rest within and near the
church. (See June 15th, 1858.)
Oct. Henry E. Buxton, W. P. Brown, G. B. Palmer, J. H.
Orde, A. D. Stone, and E. H. H. Combe, Esqs., appointed as
Magistrates for the Borough by the Lord Chancellor of
England. (See Jan., 1874.)
Nov. 3rd. A Local Government Board Inquiry opened by
Inspector H. B. Farnall, Esq., at the Tolhouse Hall, and resulted
in the ejection of three Liberal Guardians from the Board in
Feb., 1874. This inquiry cost the town £187.
Nov. 10th. Disgraceful riot in Middlegate Street and at
the Fishwharf with Sherringham fishermen. (See Jan. 12th,
1874.)
Nov. 18th. Thomas Baring, Esq., M.P., died at Fontmell
Lodge, Bournemouth, aged 73 years. The deceased represented
this Borough in Parliament in 1835.
Nov. 20th. Mr. R. S. Steele presented with a handsome
tea and coffee service by the members of the Perseverance Lodge
of Nottingham Order of Oddfellows, in recognition of his valuable
services.
Nov. 27th. The Rev. J. W. Colvin, minister of St.
Andrew’s, presented with a water-colour drawing by Mr. W.
Platt; and on the following evening, by his congregation, a
marble timepiece, set of bronze chimney ornaments and
candlesticks, and a pair of salts, as souvenirs of their esteem,
previous to his leaving Yarmouth. (See May 12th.)
Nov. 30th. Fire at the warehouse of Mr. J. Green, King
Street, and damage done to the amount of about £15.
Dec.
10th. A gold Albert chain presented by the Yarmouth Bathing
and Swimming Association to Mr. John Page, secretary, in
acknowledgment of his kindness to the members.
Dec. 12th. Samuel Brock, better known as “Brock
the swimmer,” died at Yarmouth, aged 70 years. (See
Oct. 6th, 1835.)
Dec. 17th. Fire at the premises of Mr. W. Lawrie,
manufacturer of vegetable black, ink, &c., and damage done to
the extent of about £150.
Dec. 21st. 18,806 lasts of herring delivered at the
Fishwharf, and sold at the average price of £11 10s., 4,000
lasts (equal to £46,000) in excess of the previous
year’s catch.
Dec. The Rev. Dr. Gott appointed by the Queen to the
Vicarage of Leeds.
Dec. The cutters “Brilliant,”
“Diamond,” and “British Lion,” the
property of Mr. I. Shuckford, sold to the Steam-Cutter Carrying
Company, for £2,000.
The rateable value of the parish in 1873 was £84,600, of
which sum £68,200 was apportioned to Yarmouth and the
remaining £16,400 to Gorleston and Southtown, including
Cobholm Island; and the Corporation was indebted to the extent of
£29,522 for town improvements (including Regent Street and
the Marine Parade). £14,000 out of the above was an
old Paving Bond debt contracted in 1810 and 1851, which was being
paid off at £100 a year.
Godfrey’s “Finger Post Guide to Yarmouth and its
Norfolk and Suffolk Environs, embracing every object of Interest
to Visitors,” (an illustrated work from the pen of W. F.
Crisp) published.
Jan. 1st. Rev. D. W. Seppings, M.A., late minister of
St. Andrew’s, Yarmouth, died, aged 37, at Bramley, Leeds,
where he was for seven years the senior curate.
Jan. The Vicarage of Great Yarmouth vacated by the Rev.
H. R. Nevill, and offered to the Rev. George Venables, S.C.L.,
four years the Vicar of St. Matthew’s, Leicester.
(See Jan. 23rd, 25th, and Feb. 22nd.)
Jan.
1st. The screw smack “Pioneer,” built for the
Steam Carrying Company, launched from Messrs. Fellows’
shipyard at Southtown. Dimensions—length of keel, 83
ft. 6 in.; 20 ft. beam; depth of hold, 10 ft., and capable of
carrying 1,200 packages of fish. She made her first trial
trip on the 24th, at a speed of six or seven knots an hour.
Jan. 1st. Richard Ferrier, Esq., brewer, died at
Broughton, Chester, aged 51.
Jan. 3rd. William Maclean, Esq., for several years
Secretary of H.M. Customs, died at Camberwell, Surrey, aged
78.
Jan. 5th. A. D. Stone, E. H. Combe, W. P. Brown, and G.
B. Palmer, Esqs., sworn in as Magistrates before the
Recorder. J. H. Orde and H. E. Buxton, Esqs., subsequently
took the oaths of office.
Jan. 9th. The smack “William,” of this port,
value £300, lost in a gale, and her crew saved by the smack
“Rachel.”
Jan. 10th. Police-constable Layton bravely rescued a man
and woman from the river opposite Queen Street. Another
male and female fell over the quay-head on Jan. 15th, when
Police-constable Green rendered good service.
Jan. 11th. Rev. J. B. Woolnough, the new minister of St.
Andrew’s, preached his first sermon at this Church after
his appointment.
Jan. Captain Gilbertson, Adjutant of N.A.M., appointed a
Gentleman-at-Arms at Windsor Castle. He died on June 18th,
1870.
Jan. 12th. Six Sherringham fishermen convicted at a
special Session, for creating, with others, a riot in the
town.
Jan. H. Teasdel (Mayor) and E. H. H. Combe, Esqs.,
appointed trustees of the Southtown Road.
Jan. 13th. First meeting of Scientific Society at the
Public Library.
Jan. 13th. John Godwin Johnson, Esq., late a member of
the Yarmouth Port and Haven Commission for Norwich, died, aged
76. The deceased gentleman was Mayor of Norwich in
1855.
Jan.
18th. Mr. Frederick Diver, commander, Union Steam Shipping
Company, died at Woolston, Southampton, aged 34. (See Jan.
9th, 1868.)
Jan. 23rd. A general holiday and day of rejoicing in
celebration of the marriage of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh to
the Grand Duchess Marie of Russia; 200 gentlemen dining together
at the Town Hall.
Jan. 23rd. Rev. Henry R. Nevill presented with a massive
antique oak cabinet by the school teachers; and a handsome
escritoire by the scholars of St. Andrew’s and Priory
schools, as souvenirs.
Jan. 25th. Rev. H. R. Nevill preached his farewell
sermon at the Parish Church. (See Dec., 1858.)
Jan. 25th. The Yarmouth sloop “Harriet”
rundown by the steamer “Tanjore” off Chapman
Head. Crew saved.
Jan. 26th. The first Aquarium Company liquidated, and
the list of contributories settled.
Jan. 27th. James Curtis, one of the crew of the small
river steamer “Alpha,” accidentally drowned on
Breydon.
Jan. 27th. General Election. The Members for North
Norfolk (Sir E. Lacon and the Hon. F. Walpole) issued an address
to their constituency prior to the general election, but at the
nomination at Aylsham on Jan. 31st there was no opposition to
their return. (See Feb. 10th.)
Feb. 3rd. Rev. J. H. Rawdon, on leaving Yarmouth was
presented, at the North-end Mission, with a biscuit basket and a
chased-silver inkstand, as a mark of appreciation of his
labours.
Feb. 4th. Messrs. H. Brand, J. Rivett, and W. T. Fisher,
after an enquiry under Mr. H. B. Farnall, were unseated as
guardians, in favour of Messrs. W. Laws, W. J. Foreman, and J. T.
Bracey.
Feb. 6th. Mrs. H. Teasdel, the Mayoress, died at
Southtown, aged 68.
Feb. 6th. Charles John, son of the late Charles John
Moore, of Caister, killed by being thrown from his trap on
Caister turnpike, aged 26.
Feb.
7th. The barque “Krona,” of Landskrona, with
2,364 quarters of oats, struck on Hasbro’ Sand and remained
fast till the 9th.
Feb. 10th. Election of Members of Parliament for East
Suffolk took place. Colonel Tomline (L) opposed Lord Mahon
(C) and Lord Rendlesham (C); and the result of poll made known
next day was:—Rendlesham, 4,136; Mahon, 3,896; Tomline,
3,014. Gorleston and Southtown polled 511, out of about 700
voters. (See May 30th, 1870, and Feb. 22nd, 1876.)
The South Norfolk Election also took place on Feb. 10th.
Feb. 16th. The new smack “Reindeer” launched
from Mr. Mack’s yard at Southtown.
Feb. 18th. Mr. R. W. Durrell, organist, presented with a
handsome electro-plated sugar basin and a bottle by the members
of the Gorleston Congregational Chapel choir as a memento of
esteem.
Feb. 22nd. Rev. G. Venables, S.C.L., Vicar of Yarmouth,
read himself in and preached his first sermons at the Parish
Church, from (morning) 2 Tim. i. 13; (evening) Psalm xlviii. 12;
before crowded congregations.
Feb. 24th. Rev. W. S. Beevor, assistant minister at St.
Peter’s Church, presented, by 157 subscribers, with a
silver inkstand, and a silver penholder with gold pen, by the
Sunday School teachers and friends.
Feb. 25th. Meeting to dispose of the balance of the May
Gale Fund. (See May 28th, 1860.) Statement of
accounts: Subscriptions, £10,410 4s. 7d.; accumulated
interest, £1,573 8s. 2d.; total, £11,983 15s.
9d. Paid in relief, £10,923 15s. 11d.; printing,
&c., £779 6s. 9d. A mitigated balance of
£50 or £60 was distributed among the remaining 44
widows and 22 children.
Feb. Two stained-glass windows placed in the south wall
of Gorleston Church in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Sayers Bell
and Miss Jane Whaites, by their relatives.
March 2nd. James Crow, Esq., of Gorleston, died, aged
78.
March
6th. The result of the arbitration relative to the purchase
by the Corporation of property for the Market Gates’
improvement received by the Town Clerk. The umpire’s
award was £1,576.
March 10th. Excitable public meeting at the Town Hall to
consider the abolition or retention of the annual Easter
Fair. The latter chosen by a large majority.
March 10th. A fine otter caught two miles from Yarmouth,
and subsequently made great havoc in the residence of Mr. S. J.
F. Stafford, prior to that gentleman sending it to the Zoological
Society, London.
March 18th. Mrs. Page, sister of the late Hales, the
Norfolk giant, died in Yarmouth Workhouse. Deceased was 6
ft. 3 in. in height.
March 19th. The smack “Niobe,” and all
hands, lost in the North Sea.
March 27th. The Rev. S. N. Vowler appointed chaplain of
the Workhouse.
April 9th. Mr. Wm. Brogden, of Scarborough, appointed
police detective and inspector by the Town Council, in place of
Inspector Berry, resigned. Mr. Brogden entered on his
duties in May, and was subsequently made chief constable.
(See May 5th, 1881.)
April 14th. Seven smacks, late the property of Mr.
Yaxley, sold by auction, and realised £1,597. On Dec.
29th, 1873, seven of Mr. W. Shuckford’s smacks realised
£4,525 at an auction.
April 20th. The roof of Mr. Combe’s new malting
premises at Southtown fell in, and resulted in killing two
workmen and wounding three others.
April 21st. Another new steamtug, “Star,”
launched from Mr. J. Beeching’s yard.
Dimensions—length over all, 104 ft.; beam, 18 ft. 4 in.;
depth, 9 ft. 6 in. Propelled by two engines, each 25
nominal horse power.
April 22nd. Thomas H. Palmer, Esq., of Norwich, eldest
son of the late Nathaniel Palmer, Esq., who was formerly Recorder
of Yarmouth, died, aged 58 years.
April
28th. Mr. B. M. Spanton, scripture reader, presented by 230
members and friends of the Market Mission with an eight-day
timepiece, a purse of 9 guineas, and a morocco-bound book, for
his zealous labours.
April 29th. The East Anglian Tramway Company summoned
before the Magistrates and fined £5 for not keeping the
Southtown Road in repair.
April 29th. Four smacks—the “Edgar,”
“Ceres,” “Blue Jacket,” and
“Mispah”—lost on the Dutch coast near
Terschelling.
April 30th. John Thornhill Harrison, Esq., C.E., after
an inquiry, this day decided that a provisional order would be
issued by the Local Government Board for merging the district
late under the jurisdiction of the Gorleston and Southtown Local
Board into the Rural Sanitary District of the Mutford and
Lothingland Incorporation.
May 4th. A lad named Everett Albert Parker thrown into a
ditch at Flegg Burgh by four schoolboys and drowned.
May 8th. Mr. Samuel Linay, of Norwich (formerly a clerk
in the office of the late John Lomas Cufaude, Esq., of Yarmouth,
Clerk of the Peace), admitted an attorney and solicitor of the
Court of Chancery, and subsequently catered into partnership with
Wm. Sadd, Esq., of Norwich (to whom he served his
articles)—firm, Sadd and Linay. The same year Mr.
Linay was also appointed a Commissioner for taking oaths in the
Superior Courts.
May 14th. Mr. F. W. Robinson resigned the office of
Inspector of Weights and Measures (see Feb., 1857), and Mr. R. J.
Buddery was appointed to the situation.
May 21st. Insubordination in the Gaol, and conspiracy to
kill a warder.
May 27th. Mrs. Cator, wife of the Rev. Wm. Cator, and
daughter of Lady Elizabeth Orde, died at Beckenham, Kent.
May 31st. The Mayor’s new robe first worn in
public. It was purchased by the Corporation, and is made of
flowered scarlet silk.
May
31st. Rev. Jas. Smith, B.A., eldest son of J. C. Smith,
Esq., M.D., died, aged 57.
May. Mr. C. F. Laws passed his final examination for an
attorney.
June 10th. The brigantine “Good Design,” of
this port, lost off the Spurn. Crew saved.
June 11th. The Great Yarmouth Provisional Order Port and
Haven Bill confirmed in the House of Commons.
June 11th. A deputation from Yarmouth waited upon the
President of the Local Government Board (the Right Hon.
Sclater-Booth) in London, respecting the “trickery”
resorted to in the Election of Guardians, and urged a remedy.
June 13th. The brig “Eleanor,” of Yarmouth,
collided with the barque “Belle Vue,” and was
dismasted.
June 24th. Mr. J. E. Bales entertained at the Rose to a
luncheon by his friends on the attainment of his 80th
birthday. (See March 27th, 1876.)
June 25th. The “Refuge,” a model floating
battery 40 ft. long, and in the form of two oblongs crossed like
a star, with a sliding keel, water-tight compartments, &c.,
left the Roadstead for Shields.
June 30th. A massive and elaborately-chased silver
salver and a sum of money presented by the parishioners to
Archdeacon Nevill, in token of esteem. (See Jan. 23rd and
25th.)
June. Messrs. P. Chamberlin and J. S. Clowes, jun.,
passed examinations for attorneys. The latter died in
1884.
July 2nd. Mr. Shadrake, master of the Gorleston National
Schools, presented with a gold watch and chain and a purse of 20
guineas, as a memento of esteem.
July 16th. Mr. Edward Morgan saved the life of George
Daudy while bathing, and the 26th of Oct. received the Humane
Society’s award on vellum for his courageous conduct.
July 22nd. A comet visible at Yarmouth for several days
previous to this date. Its reputed distance from the earth
was 27,000,000 miles.
July
27th. The Rev. J. Upjohn, M.A., of Queen’s College,
Cambridge, for many years vicar of Gorleston, died in London.
July 30th. Rents first demanded by the Corporation for
stalls on the beach, and subsequently for music-stands, chairs,
&c.
July 31st. The smack “Elizabeth and Mary”
launched from Messrs. Fellows’ yard.
Aug. 3rd. A new Primitive Methodist Temple, Priory
Plain, to accommodate 1,100 persons—on the site of a Chanel
built in 1850—decided upon at a public meeting and luncheon
held this day. (See June 22nd, 1875.)
Aug. 10th to 24th. Local Government Board Inquiry,
relative to the election of Guardians in St. George’s and
Regent Wards in the previous April, was opened at the Tolhouse
Hall, before George Taylor, Esq. Mr. J. H. Norman was
subsequently unseated in favour of Mr. I. Preston, jun. (Regent),
and Mr. W. J. Foreman gained the seat for St. George’s.
Aug. 20th. H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, accompanied by
two or three officers of the 7th Hussars, paid an unexpected
visit to Yarmouth; and again on Aug. 28th, and proceeded to
Lowestoft on the following day. He was entertained here by
the Hon. Courtenay Boyle, in apartments at No. 3, Kimberley
Terrace.
Aug. 23rd. Mr. Saml. Durrell, many years assistant
overseer of Gorleston and Southtown, died, aged 82.
Aug. 27th. The Royal Assembly Rooms sold by auction to
Mr. Henry W. Ulph for £2,050, and since then to the
officers of the P.W.O. Royal Artillery. (See Jan.
1st, 1863.)
Sept. 4th. The dead body of a newly-born babe found on
the river-side ridge of the Bridge, but how it came there was
never traced out.
Sept. 10th. The never-to-be-forgotten appalling Thorpe
railway accident, in which the Yarmouth night mail collided with
the Norwich down train, and resulted in the death of 27 persons,
besides wounding 50 others.
Sept.
16th. Sergt.-Major Hanlon, E.N.M., (on his retiring from
the service after 22 years,) presented with a chaste silver
tea-service and silver inkstand by Sir E. Lacon, Bart., M.P., and
the officers and non-commissioned officers of his regiment, at
the Town Hall.
Sept. 19th. The new three-masted schooner
“Eunice” launched from Messrs. Fellows and
Son’s yard. Dimensions—156 ft. over all; beam,
24 ft.; depth of hold, 13 ft.; registered tonnage, 260 tons.
Sept. 20th. The war ships “Northumberland,”
“Sultan,” and “Monarch” anchored in the
Roads, but left again on the 23rd.
Sept. 23rd. Lieut. F. A. Newington, R.M.L.I., of H.M.S.
“Sultan,” after leaving a ball at the Town Hall,
jumped into the river and rescued from drowning two women who had
fallen overboard while in the act of landing from the steamtug
“Victoria,” at 3.30 a.m. A public subscription
amounting to £47 5s. 6d. was afterwards got up, and Mr.
Newington was presented with a breach-loading gun, value
£34, and an illuminated testimonial, for his bravery; on
Nov. 17th he was also presented with a sword by the officers of
his ship.
Oct. 1st. First annual meeting of the Young Men’s
Christian Association held at the Town Hall.
Oct. 7th. Sir Thos. W. B. Proctor Beauchamp, Bart., died
at Langley Park, aged 59.
Oct. 18th. The Rev. T. Allnut, after eight years’
ministration in Gorleston, preached his farewell sermons at St.
Andrew’s Church, in that Parish. On May 14th, 1875,
was instituted to the Rectory and Parish Church of Stibbard,
Norfolk.
Oct. 19th. The smack “Alert,” of this port,
run into by the full-rigged ship “Edith,” in the
North Sea, and foundered. Two hands were drowned.
Oct. 20th. Mr. W. J. Lincoln appointed Town Hall keeper
in place of Mr. G. Harvey, resigned.
Oct. 29th. The settlement of the Rev. Arthur Peaton, as
Unitarian Minister at the Old Meeting, Middlegate Street, in the
place of the late Rev. R. Shelley, decided by a public
meeting.
Oct. H. R. Harmer, Esq., captured, on Hoveton
Broad, a pike 8 ft. 1 in. in length, and weighing 15 lbs.
It was presented to the Mayor.
Oct. The Misses Pearson and MacLaughlin received the War
Medal granted by the Emperor of Germany. (See Sept.,
1870.)
Nov. 7th. The Lowestoft, Yarmouth, and Southtown Tramway
Company wound up by order of the Master of the Rolls.
Nov. 9th. C. C. Aldred, Esq., elected an Alderman, in
the place of W. Laws, Esq., resigned.
Nov. 11th. Mr. William Webb passed his final examination
before the Incorporated Law Society as an attorney and
solicitor.
Nov. 12th. N. G. Barthropp, Esq., died, aged 60.
Nov. 16th. Mr. R. S. Steele presented with a handsome
marble timepiece and a purse of three guineas by the Forester
Brotherhood (Court Crown and Anchor), in appreciation of services
as secretary.
Nov. 27th. The tenders of Mr. Davey (£276) and
Messrs. Warner and Loup, of Ipswich (£688), for
constructing a hot-water apparatus at the Workhouse, were
accepted by the Guardians.
Nov. 29th. The fishing boat “William and
Charles” lost off Winterton.
Dec. 11th. The smack “Rosa” came ashore in a
gale near the Britannia Pier, where she became a total
wreck. The crew were saved.
Dec. 14th. James Morris Hill, Adjutant 1st
Administrative Brigade N.A.V., and late Major Military Train,
died at Southtown, aged 51, and was interred with military
honours in Gorleston churchyard. Deceased served in the
Kaffir war in 1845, and received subsequently several marks of
honour for his services abroad.
Dec. 17th. Mr. Edward Smyth, eldest son of the late E.
H. L. Preston, Esq., died at Seaford, aged 37.
Dec. 17th. The Right Hon. Lord George John Sondes (4th
baron), Lord High Steward of the Borough for 20 years, and also
Deputy-Lieut. and J.P. for the County, died at Elmham Hall,
Norfolk, aged 80, and his remains interred in Elmham
Churchyard.
Dec.
21st. 17,724 lasts of herrings landed dining the season at
the Fishwharf.
Dec. 23rd. The dandy cutter “Ben Nevis”
foundered in Hollosley Bay. Crew saved.
Dec. The smack “Ace of Trumps” launched from
Messrs. Hastings’ yard.
Dec. About 12 acres of Corporation land on the South
Denes accepted by the Government at £100 per acre, for
making Yarmouth a Military Depôt Centre, but was never
established. (See Nov., 1875.)
Dec. The removal of the Parish Church organ to the north
and south aisles of the chancel, estimated to cost
£1,000.
The returns of the weight of fish carried from Yarmouth by the
Great Eastern Railway this year were 27,517 tons, as against
20,399 tons in 1860; 27,222 in 1861; 28,346 in 1862; 31,947 in
1863; 34,432 in 1864; 22,764 in 1869; 26,894 in 1870; 31,898 in
1871; 27,400 in 1872; and 27,864 in 1878. The railway books
containing the returns from 1865 to 1868 were destroyed by
fire.
Jan. 4th. The closing of the Gaol and sending all
prisoners to Norwich, by order of the Home Secretary,
reported.
Jan. 5th. Mr. R. W. Durrell, organist, presented with a
silver watch by the Gorleston Congregationalists, in recognition
of his services; and on the 27th, Mr. and Mrs. Durrell were
presented with an electro-plated cream jug and a pair of sugar
tongs, as the remaining articles required to complete a
previously-subscribed service.
Jan. 7th and 8th. Two consecutive explosions of oxygen
gas, used in the pantomime of Ali Baba, took place at the
Theatre Royal, but little damage was done to the building.
Jan. 8th. Board of Trade Inquiry at the Police Court
into the circumstances attending the stranding and abandonment of
the oak-built brigantine “Effort” on the 23rd of Dec.
last. The vessel (160 tons register) was built
at Yarmouth in 1830, and had at the time of her abandonment on
the Cross Sand 120 tons of coal on board.
Jan. 11th. Jas. Cobb, Esq., solicitor, died, aged
84.
Jan. 13th. Mr. Joseph Fleming Neave, a late member of
the Town Council, died at the age of 59.
Jan. 18th. The new St. Andrew’s Hall at Gorleston
opened by the then Mayor (R. D. Barber, Esq.) at a public
entertainment. This hall, built by a company, and situate
in Now Street, is 60 ft. long by 40 ft. wide. It was sold
to Mr. Bellamy in 1884.
Jan. 19th. The schooner “Shamrock,” of this
port, struck on Scroby Sand, and subsequently foundered.
Value of the vessel and cargo, £500.
Jan. 19th. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., elected by
the Corporation to the office of High Steward in the place of the
late Lord Sondes. A counter proposal that the Marquis of
Salisbury, D.C.L., Secretary of State for India, be appointed,
was negatived by 22 to 4.
Feb. 1st. Stormy meeting at Town Hall on the question of
the School Board formation, and subsequently many other public
meetings in various parts of the borough.
Feb. 16th. First election of a School Board for
Yarmouth, and though 26 gentlemen were nominated, but 24 went to
the poll, the greatest excitement being manifested as to the
returns, which were published the next morning, as
follows:—S. J. F. Stafford, 3,975; G. Baker, 3,149; D.
Tomkins, 2,672; Rev. A. Peaton, 2,615; C. H. S. Geake, 2,411; J.
Bracey, 2,131; T. P. Burroughs, 2,060; R. E. Dowson, 2,041; J. W.
de Caux, 1,884; E. P. Youell, 1,858; and J. H. Orde, 1,827.
The total number of persons polled was 9,901, and the votes given
39,295. The above gentlemen were elected for three
years. (See May 28th.) On Mr. Burroughs resigning in
1876, Mr. H. E. Buxton took his seat.
Feb. 23rd. Four of Messrs. Watling and Son’s
vessels sold by auction, and realised the following
prices:—“Mary,” £890; “Isis,”
£390; “Kate,” £385; and “John
Wrey,” £340.
Feb.
24th. The schooner “Jessie Brown,” of this
port, stranded on Scroby, but her cargo of 1,425 bags of flour
(16 st. each) kept the vessel afloat.
Feb. F. D. Palmer, Esq., elected a Vice-President of the
Legal Practitioners’ Society, London.
March 1st. First meeting of the School Board held at the
Tolhouse Hall. Mr. J. H. Orde elected chairman, and Mr. D.
Tomkins vice-chairman for three years.
March 2nd. Messrs. Massey and Norton obtained consent to
a lease from Michaelmas, 1876, for 999 years, of a piece of
ground north of the Britannia Pier—430 ft. by 100
ft.—for the purpose of making an Aquarium, &c., at an
estimated cost of £60,000, which was confirmed by the
Council on the 9th.
March 2nd. Action at the Police Court—Board of
Trade v. Mr. Garson Blake—to recover costs for
surveying the “True Blue,” £24 18s.
Judgment for the Crown with costs.
March 2nd. Mr. Francis Sutton, of Norwich, appointed by
the Council as a public analyst for the borough.
March 9th. Heavy gale and serious loss of life and
property. The schooner “Elizabeth” and all
hands lost near the Barber Sand.
March 19th. The brig “Tweedside” and the
iron brig “Robert Anderson” collided in St.
Nicholas’ Gat, causing the former to founder. Crew
saved.
March 25th. The Yarmouth and Gorleston Tramway opened to
the public by the Mayor, and a luncheon afterwards given at the
Star Hotel, in celebration of the event.
March 25th. Number of wherries registered with the
Norfolk Port and Haven Commissioners during the past year was
112, of the total burthen of 1,963 tons, being an increase of 93
tons on the year.
March 25th. From this date to June 14th, the total
number of passengers conveyed by the tram cars to and from
Gorleston was 95,912.
March 27th. The brig “Thirteen,” of
Sunderland, struck on the Cross Sand in a heavy sea, and both
vessel and cargo, value £1,100 and £350 respectively,
foundered. The crew were gallantly rescued by the Caister
lifeboatmen.
March. The Rev. E. M. Sanderson, M.A., senior
curate of the Parish, presented by the Lord Chancellor to the
living of Weston St. Mary, near Spalding, worth £300 a
year.
April 1st. The “Ernestine,” a full-rigged
Dutch East-Indiaman, of 1,296 tons, with a crew of 27 hands, and
having 2,000 tons of coal on board, struck on Hasbro’
Sands, but was got off by the aid of five tugs and another steam
vessel the next day, after 800 tons of coal had been thrown
overboard. Value of ship and cargo, £7,162. On
June 24th the Admiralty Court awarded £1,800., i.e.,
£1,000 to beachmen and £800 to steamers.
April 2nd. Mr. C. H. Wiltshire selected Clerk to the
School Board, out of ten candidates nominated.
April 5th. Last meeting held in the old Primitive
Methodist Chapel, Priory Plain. (See Sept., 1850.)
April 8th. Bradwell Church (St. Nicholas’)
re-opened after £750 had been expended in restoring the
fabric and interior fittings. This church, dating from the
14th century, consists of nave, north and south aisles, chancel,
south porch, and round tower at west end.
April 9th. Mr. William Laws, after serving as a Guardian
of the Poor for 25 years, retired from the Board, at the age of
three score and ten.
May 1st. The smack “Harkaway” lost on the
Barber Sand. Value £600.
May 7th. A paper balloon sent up at the Crystal Palace
at Sydenham, fell at Belton same evening.
May 18th. Contracts for enclosing additional ground to
New Cemetery, amounting to £3,086—viz., brickwork,
£2,230, stone-work, £286, palisading, &c.,
£520—accepted by the Corporation, the work to be
completed by 29th Sept. (See June 9th, 1875, and Sept. 7th,
1876.)
May 18th. The whaling ship “Labrador,” from
the Arctic Seas, anchored in the Roadstead.
May 20th. Mr. G. W. Bond, of Pulham, Norfolk, was
elected House Surgeon at the Great Yarmouth Hospital; vice
Dr. Murrell, resigned.
May
20th. The foundation stone of the new Baptist Tabernacle on
the Lowestoft Road, at Gorleston, laid by J. Edwards, Esq., of
London. The building, of ornamental brick, cost about
£600, and will accommodate 800 persons.
May 28th. The Returning Officer’s account for the
newly-appointed School Board was £220 11s. 7d., but the
Educational Department finally decided (Sept.) that £178
9s. 2d. was sufficient.
May. Petition forwarded to the Commissioners of
Charities for England and Wales against the appointment of new
Charity Trustees for this town, but on June 7th there was an
excitable meeting at the Town Hall, called “for the purpose
of considering the present position of the Children’s
Hospital and other local charities, and the nomination of new
trustees in conjunction with the existing five trustees—Sir
E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., and C. C. Aldred, B. Jay, W.
Johnson, and J. Palmer, Esqs.” July 28th, the
Commissioners “concurred in the annual publication of local
charity accounts,” and thought 15 trustees
sufficient. In July, 1876, the Charity Commissioners
appointed them as follows: The Vicar (for the time being), and W.
Worship, R. S. Watling, T. B. Steward, H. E. Buxton, R. H. I.
Palgrave, J. Bracey, C. H. Wiltshire, W. J. Foreman, and T. P.
Burroughs, Esqs.
June 8th and 9th. Frank Buckland, Esq., Inspector of
Salmon Fisheries, held an inquiry at the Town Hall, as to
“the state of the crab, lobster, and other sea fisheries
along this coast, with a view of preserving them for the
future.” On Nov. 16th, 1863, Commissioners Caird,
M.P., Lefevre, M.P., and Dr. Huxley held an inquiry here on the
same subject, but saw no reason for legislative measures.
June 9th. The memorial stone of the new Cemetery laid by
the Mayor. (See May 18th.)
June. The total cost of pauperism last year
was—out-relief, £2,855, in-maintenance,
£2,131—total, £4,986. For the previous
year, £5,272. East and West Fleggs for first-named
period, £855.
June
14th. Mr. Edward Owen (37), a native of Shrewsbury,
schoolmaster and local preacher, in travelling from Yarmouth to
Gorleston, accidentally fell while in the act of jumping from a
tram-car in which he was riding, and the injuries received
resulted fatally. Deceased had resided in Gorleston for six
years. A public subscription of £100 was raised for
his widow and four children.
June 15th. Two new smacks—“Albatross”
and “Terrier”—launched from Messrs.
Beechings’ shipyard.
June 22nd. The four chief stones of the Temple, Priory
Plain, laid by Messrs. J. Riches, F. Salmon, J. W. Neave, and A.
J. N. Chamberlin. A tea for 1,000 persons was served in the
Drill Hall, and a public meeting held in the King Street
Congregational Chapel. (See Aug. 3rd, 1874.)
June 22nd. The principal stone of the Walrond
Smack-Boys’ Home laid by Vice-Admiral Sir John Walter
Tarleton, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty’s Naval
Reserve. The promoter (Rev. A. T. Walrond) died on Oct.
2nd, 1873, but the family raised £1,000 toward the building
fund. (See Feb. 15th, 1876.)
June 23rd. The marriage between the Rev. E. M.
Sanderson, M.A., and Miss Eveline Mary Venables (only daughter of
the Vicar of this parish) solemnized with much festivity.
June 24th. The Yarmouth Gaol, after this date, to be
used only as a lock-up for prisoners on remand, by order of the
Home Secretary.
June 28th. Colour-Sergeant Chipperfield presented, at
the New Royal Standard Tavern, with a marble timepiece by the
officers and men of the D Company of Rifle Volunteers, as a
memento of their esteem on his retirement and promotion to the
office of Paymaster-Sergeant, after 15 years’ service.
June 29th. Mr. Hitchman Hammond, a late member of the
Town Council, died, aged 46 years.
June 30th. Smack “William and Ann” launched
from the yard of Messrs. S. K. Smith and Sons.
June
30th. The opening of St. Andrew’s Church, Gorleston,
after its complete restoration, was commemorated by a full choral
service and sermons by the Rev. George Venables, S.C.L., and the
Rev. — Gibson, of Lound. The new pulpit was the gift
of E. W. Bell, Esq.
June. Mr. E. W. Worlledge, solicitor (second son of John
Worlledge, Esq., County Court Judge of this district, and
Chancellor of the Diocese), appointed joint Registrar of Yarmouth
County Court.
June. Dr. Macleod, of Yarmouth Naval Hospital, promoted
to the rank of Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets; and
Sub-Lieut. F. C. N. Knox to Lieut. in 2nd or East Norfolk
Regiment.
July 6th. Full choral service held at the Parish Church
at the re-opening of the fine old organ, after being removed,
thoroughly repaired, and additional stops added by Messrs. Bishop
and Son, of London. (See 1733, Jan. 25th, 1869, and Feb.
23rd, 1870.) The organ is now divided into two parts, and
placed in the Chancel 60 ft. apart. They contain 280 motor,
and the same number of pneumatic tubes for conveying the wind to
the manuals, supplied by two low and one high pressure
bellows. The number of stops is 48, and of sounding pipes
about 3,100, viz., Great Organ CC to G, 56 notes 17 stops; Swell
Organ CC to G, 17 stops; Choir Organ CC to G, 10 stops; north
Pedal Organ CCC to F, 30 notes; south Pedal CCC to F, 30 notes; 7
couplers and 10 composition pedals.
July 13th. Mr. A. J. B. Howes’ tender of
£385 accepted by the Corporation for erecting the Fish
Wharf master’s house; the same contractor on Aug. 17th was
appointed to alter the Refreshment Depôt at the Fish Wharf,
at the cost of £145.
July 17th. A horse belonging to Mr. H. H. Gambling
backed into the river near the Bridge, and was drowned.
July. The Norfolk Militia Artillery received the honour
of being called “The Prince of Wales’ Own Regiment of
Norfolk Artillery Militia,” H.R.H. the Prince of Wales
being the Hon. Colonel.
July
19th. Richard Mann, Esq., died at Ditchingham, Suffolk,
aged 72. Deceased was a County Magistrate and a member of
the Port and Haven Commission for Suffolk. Mr. James Peto,
of Lowestoft, was elected in Oct. a Commissioner in place of the
above-named gentleman.
July 22nd. Public meeting at the Town Hall on the
question of establishing an Aquarium at Yarmouth and for
obtaining local co-operation in the project. A committee of
17 gentlemen was appointed. It was subsequently published
that the capital required was £100,000, to be raised in
shares of £5 each. The cost of the whole building
would be £75,000, leaving £25,000 not called
up. The Aquarium and Skating Rink would cost about
£23,000, and a public hall to hold 3,000 people—194
ft. by 60 ft.—£30,000. (See March 2nd, Oct.
9th, and Nov. 3rd.)
July 24th. The French gunboat “Cuvier” with
four guns and crew of 75 hands, put into Yarmouth Roadstead.
July 28th. Rev. T. W. Harrison, late of Yarmouth,
instituted to the vicarage of Christ Church, Luton, Beds, by the
Lord Bishop of the Diocese.
July 30th. A hoax, resembling somewhat the evergreen
Cromer hoax of Sept. 2nd, 1868, apparently perpetrated. On
the first occasion, large bills were previously posted over the
town, representing that on this eventful day “a fine
commodious steamer,” with every comfort and convenience,
named the “Isis,” from London, would take
excursionists on a day’s pleasure to Cromer and back, at
the reasonable charge of 2s. 6d. a head. Tickets to be
procured before Wednesday, the 2nd. About £14
worth—i.e. 112—were disposed of, and the money
handed over to the “enterprising swindler.”
Intending passengers waited long and patiently on the Jetty and
Beach on the morning in question, but the steamer never came to
view, and our townspeople retired home the wiser for their bought
experience. On a later occasion, however, a steamer
did go to Cromer, but left some 40 or 50 of her passengers
to get home as best they could overland, owing to a heavy sea
running.
July. Dr. Hubert Airy visited Yarmouth, by order
of the Local Government Board, to enquire into the cause of
zymotic diseases then prevalent. He issued his report with
numerous suggestions in Nov.
Aug. 2nd. The barque “Ponda Chief,” named
after a Kaffir tribe in Africa, one of the finest vessels ever
built in Yarmouth, and the longest by some six or eight ft.,
launched from Messrs. Fellows’ ship-yard.
Dimensions—140 ft. long, 28 ft. beam, 14 ft. 6 in. deep,
and 416 tons register. A luncheon was afterwards given at
the Crown and Anchor.
Aug. 3rd. (Regatta day.) The armour-plated
corvette “Favorite,” of 2,094 tons and 400-horse
power, got on Scroby Sand, but came off with the flood tide.
Aug. 10th. The War Department applied for additional
ground, 2a. 3r. 0p., for the Military Centre Depôt, on the
South Denes, at £100 per acre, but it was decided by the
Council (Aug. 17th) not to dispose of the land for less than
£500 for the two acres.
Aug. 11th. The new carrier-cutter “Flower of the
Fleet” launched from Messrs. S. K. Smith and Son’s
yard.
Aug. 17th. The Council were apprised by a letter from
the Lord Chancellor’s Secretary, that Henry Teasdel, John
Bracey, Robert Veale, and Robert Henry Inglis Palgrave, Esqs.,
had been appointed Justices of the Peace for the Borough.
Aug. 31st. An extraordinary race horse named Skardo
jumped over the iron railings in front of the Town Hall,
dashed into an iron gate, which was carried away, then crossing
the garden to the south side in its mad career, knocked down the
two entrance-gates; also several feet of iron railings across the
road, but the force of the blow against the wall of Messrs.
Fenner and Suffling’s office overpowered the animal.
It has since won several races, and the fame of Skardo
(alias Iron Duke) will be handed down to posterity among
the wonders of the past.
Aug. 31st. Collision in the Tyne between the steamer
“Glanabanta,” of Newcastle, and the schooner
“Second Adventure,” of Lynn, the latter being sunk
and the crew drowned. (See Jan. 23rd, 1876.)
Aug.
31st. Messrs. G. T. Clough and J. Bonnick accomplished, on
bicycles, the journey from London to Yarmouth, 122 miles, in
17½ hours, or 12¼ hours exclusive of the 5¼
hours they stopped for refreshments. They left Bow at 4
a.m., and arrived here at 9.30 p.m. The same two gentlemen
on Sept. 3rd completed 120 miles homeward in 11h. 55m., exclusive
of 4h. 25m. stoppage.
Sept. 3rd. The cost for purchasing property and widening
the Market Gates, up to this date, was £1,446 4s.;
£1,400 being borrowed at 4 per cent. on mortgage of the
General District Rates.
Sept. 6th. The new smack “Huntsman” launched
from Mr. H. Critten’s yard. Length, 55 ft. over all;
depth of hold, 7 ft. 4 in.; beam, 16 ft. 8 in.
Sept. 9th. The new organ in St. George’s Park
(Baptist) Chapel opened. The instrument, built by Mr. W. C.
Mack, contains 318 pipes, and one row of manuals, 54 notes, from
CC to F, and 1½ octave of German pedals, from CCC to
F. Five stops are in general swell. The cost,
including alterations in fixing, was £200. (See Aug.
8th, 1872.)
Sept. 20th. Revs. W. J. Blake and H. J. Bode, B.A., were
licensed as curates for Yarmouth, the Revs. R. V. Barker and E.
R. Adams being about to be removed. (See Oct. 29th.)
Sept. 26th. One boat brought in 1,600 mackerel caught
off the coast, which sold at 2d. each.
Sept. 28th. The deliveries of herrings up to this date
far below those of last year and less than in 1873.
Sept. 30th. The body of a male child discovered in a
rain-water cistern, after five or six months, on the premises of
D. Meadows, Esq., surgeon, King Street, which was subsequently
proved to have been illegitimate, and concealed by a
maid-servant.
Oct. 7th. The Rev. Samuel Hurst, of Southtown, died very
suddenly at Corton, near Lowestoft, aged 80. The deceased
gentleman was much esteemed for his liberality to local
charities.
Oct. 9th. A dead porpoise, weighing 70lbs., found on
Breydon, and sold for 1s. to a smacksman.
Oct.
9th. The foundation-stone of the Aquarium laid by Lord
Suffield, the ceremony being attended by the Mayor and other
members of the Corporation, and a large concourse of
spectators. The band of the P.W.O. Norfolk Militia
Artillery played at intervals. A luncheon was afterwards
spread at the Town Hall, to which about 100 gentlemen sat down,
including the Mayor (R. D. Barber, Esq.) and Deputy-Mayor; Lord
Suffield, Hon. F. Walpole, M.P., Colonel Duff, and the officials
of the Aquarium Society. (See Sept. 5th, 1876.)
Oct. 10th. The smack “Notre Dame,” of this
port, lost in a gale about 10 miles S. W. of the Newark
lightship. Crew saved.
Oct. 10th. The smack “Vixen” lost three
hands whilst ferrying fish to a steamer.
Oct. 14th. The Baptist Tabernacle at Gorleston
opened. It is of white brick, and of the Italian
order. The interior measures 57 ft by 31 ft. (See May
20th.)
Oct. 17th and 23rd. Very heavy gales. The barque
“Young England,” of Middlesbro’, struck on the
Cockle Sand and foundered (on the 20th), and 12 out of a crew of
17 were unfortunately drowned.
Oct. 21st. The trawler “Surf” launched from
Messrs. Beeching’s yard. Dimensions—Length, 66
ft.; beam, 18½ ft.; depth of hold, 8½ ft.
Oct. 22nd. Captain William Bugg, of the schooner
“Eliza Jane,” and his wife, walked over the quay-head
near the Gorleston Ferry, in the dark, and were drowned, and a
third person had a narrow escape.
Oct. 23rd. The brigantine “Saucy Jack,”
belonging to Mr. G. Blake, of this port, run ashore opposite the
Coastguard Station, and became a total wreck. The vessel
was built in 1841, and valued at £500. Wreckage sold
for £38.
Oct. A handsome specimen of the Maigre (Sciæna
aquila) caught off Yarmouth. The fish was 4 ft. 9 in.
long, and weighed 75 lbs. It is a Mediterranean fish, and
seldom caught on the English coast.
Oct.
27th. Public meeting in the Town Hall to consider the
projected Railway from Yarmouth to Stalham, at a cost of
£70,000, the land alone being calculated to cost
£13,000. The total length of the light line to be 22
miles, and pass through and near to 37 parishes. On Nov.
9th the Council accorded their approval of the whole scheme.
Oct. 27th. Captain William Swann Stanford, five years
pier-master of this port, and eight years previously
harbour-master, died suddenly at Gorleston.
Oct. 29th. Sale of six smacks by auction, late the
property of Mr. R. Galleway, realised £3,105.
Oct. 29th. The Rev. E. R. Adams presented with a case of
four elegant silver salt stands, by the congregation of St.
Andrew’s; and on Nov. 1st was presented with a pair of
silver fish carvers in morocco leather case, by the Sunday School
Teachers.
Oct. 29th. Charles Diver, Esq., tendered his resignation
as Town Clerk of the Borough. (See Nov. 30th and Dec.
16th.)
Nov. 3rd. Gallant lifeboat services rendered by the
Caister beachmen. The brigantine “Harmston”
lost on the Middle Cross Sand, but the crew of seven, who were in
the rigging for several hours during a very heavy sea, were
ultimately hauled through the surf to the lifeboat and
saved. Up to 1874 the Caister boatmen, about 40 in number,
had launched their boats on 122 occasions, and had rescued 541
lives. A public subscription was opened in Nov. through the
exertions of the Misses Morton. (See Dec. 25th.)
Nov. 3rd. At a general meeting of the Shareholders of
the Yarmouth Aquarium Society (Limited), held in London, Lord
Suffield, K.C.B., Colonel Edward Money, and T. A. Masey, I.
Strutt, and J. H. Orde, Esqs., were appointed the Executive
Committee of Directors. It was stated at this meeting that
the contractors, Messrs. Chas. Aldin and Sons, offered to take
shares to the amount of £20,000, and that the contemplated
outlay up to the date of opening would be about
£35,000. In July the subscriptions amounted to
£21,865.
Nov.
7th. Thirty-five large sound codfish captured in the
Roadstead with hook and line by two men.
Nov. 9th. First school under the School Board opened at
the Oddfellows’ Hall, Gorleston; on Nov. 26th the Yarmouth
Temporary Grammar School was hired; and in Jan., 1877, the new
Cobholm Island and Gorleston Schools were opened.
Nov. 11th. A conveyance made out to Her Majesty’s
principal Secretary of State for the War Department of land and
hereditaments situate on the South Denes for the purpose of a
Military Depôt Centre, and release of certain rights.
Purchase money, £1,635, was sealed by the Committee.
(See Dec., 1874.)
Nov. 11th. Heavy rainfall; no less than 120 tons per
acre fell in 24 hours.
Nov. 13th. Frederic Graham Lacon, late of the 17th
Regiment of Foot, of Tharston, Norfolk, only son of John Edmund
Lacon, Esq., died at Madeira, aged 26 years.
Nov. 13th. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P.’s,
brougham overturned near the Workhouse, the horse having become
frightened and bolted, and although the coachman was much hurt,
the baronet escaped with only a severe shaking.
Nov. 14th. Floods and much destruction of property
throughout the country. There were 18 feet of water on the
bar at our harbour, i.e., 9 feet more than the usual
flood. The schooner “Elizabeth and Susan,” of
this port, was lost off the Humber, and much damage done to
fishing craft and shipping generally.
Nov. 17th. Mr. H. Stonex, organist of the Parish Church,
presented, in the Record Room of the Town Hall, with a purse of
£81, subscribed by the parishioners of the town as a token
of respect.
Nov. 19th and 20th. Very heavy gale and serious loss of
life and property. The schooner “Wild Wave” (95
tons), of Sunderland, laden with 600,000 bottles, run on to
Caister beach (after fouling with the Cockle lightship) and two
hands—master and boy—were washed off the rigging and
drowned.
Not.
21st. A daring Scotchman, named Watson, again climbed
through the caryatides outside the Nelson Monument of the roof,
and after embracing the figure of Britannia, &c., descended
by the lightning conductor wire outside, 144 feet, to the
amazement of several spectators. (See 1863.)
Nov. 23rd. Mr. Edward Cattermole resigned the office of
librarian at the Public Library, which he had held 15
years. (See Dec. 9th.)
Nov. 26th. The Rev. A. J. Spencer presented by the
congregation of St. James’ with a silver pocket Communion
service and some volumes of books, as tokens of regard.
Nov. 27th. A tar tank, containing about 50,000 gallons,
on the works of Mr. Davy, Cobholm Island, burst, and the tar ran
about in huge streams.
Nov. 30th. A Committee of the Town Council accepted Mr.
Charles Diver’s resignation as Town Clerk of the Borough,
the term to expire on Jan. 3rd, 1876. (See Dec. 16th.)
Nov. 30th. The smack “Chosen” ran ashore
near the North Pier.
Nov. The Rev. R. V. Barker, M.A., presented previous to
his leaving Yarmouth for a sojourn through the Holy Land, with a
silver salver, silver tobacco jar, gold pencil case, and a box of
mathematical instruments, by the congregation, Bible Class, and
teachers and scholars of St. John’s Church.
Nov. The original manuscript of “Manship’s
History of Yarmouth” found by the Rev. A. Peaton, at an old
book shop in Bury St. Edmunds.
Nov. The “Perlustration of Great Yarmouth,”
in three vols., by Charles John Palmer, Esq., F.S.A., printed and
published by Mr. George Nall. It is an illustrated work of
1,282 quarto pages.
Nov. Mr. W. Saville Kent, F.L.S., F.Z.S., appointed
Naturalist and Manager of the Aquarium.
Dec. 2nd. The schooner “Tantivy” of this
port went ashore on Kessingland beach during a dense
snowstorm.
Dec.
2nd. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution voted a silver
medal and its thanks on vellum to Philip George, coxswain of the
Caister Lifeboats; and to S. Bishop, chief boatman of H.M.
Coastguard, at Caister, for their bravery in saving three of the
crew of the “Wild Wave.” The Institution voted
£10 for the others who rendered assistance. (See Dec.
25th.)
Dec. 4th. Another tug, named “Reliance,”
struck the sunken wreck of the steamer “Gladstone,”
off Hasbro’, and was run on to Eccles beach, where she
became a wreck. Valued at £3,500; but insured for
only £2,000. Crew saved. The hull was
subsequently sold for £140. (See Nov. 14th,
1871.)
Dec. 4th. The schooner “X. L.,” of Goole,
lost on Winterton beach; also two hands.
Dec. 5th. The billyboy “Three Anns” driven
among the breakers off Gorleston, and the crew rescued by the
lifeboat “Ranger.”
Dec. 6th. The Corporation resolved to erect a Contagious
Disease Hospital next the Workhouse, at a cost of £500, and
£200 for an enclosing wall, 200 ft. square by 7 ft.
high. A contract of £1,050 was afterwards
accepted.
Dec. 6th. Captain R. J. C. Day, harbour master of
Ipswich, appointed as Pier Master by the Port and Haven
Commission at a salary of £150 and residence.
Dec. 9th. Mr. C. Hall appointed librarian of the Public
Library. (See Nov. 23rd.)
Dec. 16th. Mr. T. M. Baker appointed by the Town Council
as Town Clerk, at a salary of £450 a year.
Dec. 21st. The returns of herrings landed at the
Fishwharf during the season from Aug. 23rd to above date were
11,850 lasts and 2,600 fish. (18,200 to the last.)
Dec. 24th. Lord Hastings died at Calicut, Bombay, aged
20 years.
Dec. 25th. The sum of £197 2s. subscribed as a
testimonial for the Caister Company of beachmen, for their
bravery at the wreck of the “Wild Wave,” on Nov.
19th, and many former acts of daring in rescuing shipwrecked
crews. On Jan. 4th the money was distributed, each of the
40 men receiving four guineas tied up in blue satin bags.
(See Nov. 3rd.)
Dec. 26th. Edward Reynolds Aldred, Esq., J.P., died at
Southtown, aged 68 years.
Dec. 29th. The new smack “Gem,” belonging to
Mr. W. H. Stanley, of Southtown, launched from Messrs. J. and F.
Mack’s yard.
Dec. 30th. Singular freak of a horse ridden by Mr. F.
Danby Palmer. The animal having thrown his rider, bolted
towards the sea, into which it dashed, and swam out with
considerable energy for nearly a mile and a half, towards Scroby,
when it was captured by some boatmen, and brought safely to shore
again.
Jan. 3rd. Quarter Sessions. No prisoners for
trial, a maiden session not having occurred for more than 20
years, the Mayor presented the Recorder with a pair of white kid
gloves.—R. H. I. Palgrave, Esq., qualified as a magistrate
for the Borough.
Jan. 4th. Arthur George Thompson (22), incautiously
walked on an overhanging cornice at the top of the new Temple,
Priory Plain, from which he fell 45 feet to the ground and was
killed. The falling débris so injured Thomas
Kirk as to result fatally.
Jan. 6th. Five of Mr. Malden’s smacks sold for
£2,775.
Jan. 6th. Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball at Town Hall.
Jan. 10th. A woman (73), named Hannah Ives, was brutally
murdered with a spade by an insane woman, named Swatman, at
Belton.
Jan. 13th. Fire in the Card-room of the Town Hall, under
the hearthstone, and damage done to the extent of £15 or
£16.
Jan. 19th. The smack “Charley,” belonging to
Mr. Alfred Fisher, launched from Mr. Fellows’ yard.
Jan. 20th. Marriage of Reginald Thorsby Gwyn, Esq.,
Captain of the 4th King’s Own Royals, and Adjutant of the
4th Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, with Miss Mary Joanna Farr,
youngest daughter of Isaac Preston, Esq.
Jan.
23rd. Collision in the Roadstead, about 1 p.m., between the
s.s. “Glanabanta” (Capt. Ablitt, of Yarmouth) and the
s.s. “Transit.” The latter, with a crew of 21
all told, of Dieppe (described in the Veritas to be 548
tons gross, 373 tons net [French], engines 90 h.p., and built at
Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1871), was laden with 120 tons of coal and
a general cargo of 290 tons, comprising machinery, silk, cotton,
and light manufactures, valued between £30,000 and
£40,000. The “Transit” was run on to the
beach, opposite Trafalgar Road, where her hull still (1884)
remains. The “Glanabanta” claimed £5,000
damages; but in a cross action the “Transit” claimed
heavier damages, as the loss was computed to be
£50,000. In the High Court of Admiralty, Sir R.
Phillimore ruled that the “Transit” was alone to
blame for the collision; but on an appeal in the High Court of
Justice, Lord Justice Baggallay reversed the decision. The
salvors were awarded £2,000.
Jan. 23rd. The Rev. Mangan, D.D., LL.D., late Dean of
Limerick, after being appointed evening lecturer at St.
Peter’s Church, preached his first sermon.
Jan. 26th. The cabin of the brigantine “William
Crow,” whilst in harbour, caught fire, and damage was done
to the extent of about £200.
Feb. 3rd. First “Spelling Bee” entertainment
held in Yarmouth.
Feb. 15th. The Walrond Smack-Beys’ Home opened by
Earl Nelson. (See June 22nd, 1875.) This Gothic
building cost with fittings about £2,000, and will
accommodate about 40 boys.
Feb. 21st. Mr. William Laws, as superintendent of St.
Nicholas’ Sunday School since 1844, presented with several
testimonials previous to his leaving for Beccles.
Feb. 22nd. East Suffolk Election. Lord Mahon
having been elevated to the House of Peers on the death of his
father, his seat in Parliament for East Suffolk became vacant,
and Lieut.-Colonel St. John Barne (C.) and Charles Easton, Esq.
(L.), contested for the seat. Poll—Colonel Barne,
3,659; Mr. Easton, 2,708—majority, 951. Colonel
Barne’s election cost £4,140, and Mr. Easton’s
£2,312.
Feb.
23rd. Fire at Mr. John Harris’ pipe manufactory,
Priory Plain. Damage about £150.
Feb. 23rd and 24th. Sir Randal Roberts, Bart., appeared
at the Theatre Royal, and impersonated “Charles
Devereux” in the comedietta Under a Veil, written by
himself; and on the 25th and 26th he appeared as
“Lieutenant Ringston, R.N.,” in Naval
Engagements, with the Maitland Blue Beard Burlesque
Company.
The Marine Drive widened 60 feet, between Britannia and
Wellington Piers, a distance of 3,000 feet; cost,
£2,500. (See April 22nd.)
A new gasometer (No. 3), capable of holding 63,000 cubic feet
of gas, and its tank 406,350 gallons of water, was erected at the
Southtown Gas Works, which, with other modern improvements, cost
£5,000.
April 1st. The Hon. Frederick Walpole, of Rainthorpe
Hall, Flordon, M.P. for North Norfolk, died in London.
Deceased was third surviving son of the third Earl of Orford, and
was born in 1822.
April 14th. Loss of the “Cygnet” and all
hands.
April 18th. The full-rigged ship “Humboldt,”
with 349 emigrants on board, ran on to Winterton Beach.
April 20th. The Rev. G. Merriman, M.A., presented with a
gold watch, silver tea service, and a silver claret jug, by the
St. James’ congregation.
April 21st. Lieutenant-Colonel James Duff elected a
Member of Parliament for North Norfolk, in place of the Hon. F.
Walpole, deceased. (See April 1st, 1876, and Nov. 26th,
1868.) Poll—Colonel Duff (C.), 2,302; Sir Thomas
Fowell Buxton, Bart. (L.), 2,192; majority, 110. Out of the
6,231 voters on register, only 4,494 voted. Number on
register in the Borough (including Runham), 1,980; number voted
in Yarmouth, 1,380.
April 22nd. R. Morgan, Esq., C.E., Government Board
Inspector, visited Yarmouth respecting the borrowing of
£3,300 by the Corporation, for widening the Drive,
&c.
April 23rd. Lady Elizabeth Susan Orde died at
Hopton. She was eldest daughter of Henry Charles, sixth
Duke of Beaufort, and born June 23rd, 1798.
April
28th. E. P. Youell, Esq., presented by the parishioners of
Gorleston with a massive silver four-glass épergne, value
£80, for his zealous exertions in connection with the
restoration of Gorleston Church. (See Aug. 14th, 1871.)
May 9th. The Yarmouth brig “Tradesman” lost
on the Normandy coast.
June 2nd. Meeting at the Town Hall resolved to have a
four-dial clock in St. Peter’s Tower, which was placed
there the same year.
June 8th. The Gt. Yarmouth Bowling Green opened.
June 13th. Vice-Admiral Thomas Lewis Gooch, youngest son
of the late Sir Thomas Sherlock Gooch, Bart., died at Yarmouth,
aged 69 years.
June 22nd. Capt. Wm. Holt, 16 years connected with the
2nd N.R.V., presented, on his retirement, with four
elegantly-chased silver dessert spoons by the members of D.
Company. (See Dec. 4th, 1883.)
July 8th. Heavy thunderstorm. The electric fluid
struck the chimney and entered a cottage in the factory yard,
disarranging and breaking the furniture and ornaments in the
room; it also did damage to other property in the town, including
some amount of destruction of property belonging to Mr. H.
Harding, St. Nicholas’ Road, who had a large chimney
knocked down and many squares of glass broken.
July 10th. Fire in Church Street, Gorleston. Six
cottages burnt down, and three others partly destroyed.
Nearly 40 men, women, and children rendered homeless for a
time.
July 27th. The Yarmouth Temple dedicated for Divine
worship before its completion. Interior dimensions, 72 feet
by 52 feet; height, 35 feet. Cost £4,000;
accommodates 1,100.
July. St. Peter’s Road footway laid with
concrete.
Aug. 8th. Miss E. Pearson, of Yarmouth, and Miss
MacLaughlin, left London for Servia, via Vienna, their
services as nurses to the sick and wounded in the Eastern war
having been accepted by Archbishop Michael, at Belgrade.
They were greeted by a torchlight procession on their
arrival. (See Aug. 7th, 1871.)
Aug.
21st. The stallage, rents, and tolls in the Market and Fair
let by auction for five years from Jan. 1st, 1877, to Messrs.
Bower, of Leeds, for £925 per annum. (See Dec. 11th,
1871.) Some 13 years ago, the same lessees gave but
£625 per annum.
Aug. 29th. A cyclone of great violence swept over some
parts of this district, and carried trees, stacks, &c., away
in its narrow track.
Aug. The Registrar-General’s returns show that the
mortality of Yarmouth was 15 per 1,000—nine other places
only out of 46 being lower.
Sept. 5th. The Yarmouth Aquarium opened to the public
with much ceremony, and a recherché luncheon was
spread in the corridor.
Sept. 7th. Another new cemetery (No. 3) consecrated by
the Bishop of Norwich. It comprises about ten acres.
(See Oct. 18th, 1855.)
Sept. 7th and 8th. East of England Great Horse
Fête held on Southtown Marshes.
Sept. 8th. Meeting at Town Hall protesting against the
Turkish atrocities.
Sept. 11th. Mr. W. J. Lincoln presented with a handsome
timepiece by the members of the Foresters’ Court
“Star of the East” (2728). He had been 18 years
secretary.
Sept. 24th. At 6.30 p.m., an extraordinary meteor,
resembling a brilliant ball of fire and shooting stars,
illuminated the heavens for several seconds.
Sept. 27th. Commander Horatio Nelson, R.N., son of the
late Thomas Atkinson, master of the flag-ship
“Victory” at Trafalgar, and godson of the late
Admiral Lord Nelson, died at Yarmouth, aged 78.
Oct. 13th. H. E. Buxton, Esq., elected a member of the
School Board in place of T. P. Burroughs, Esq., resigned.
Oct. At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, the Revs. R. J.
Tacon (Rollesby), and T. J. Blofeld (Ormesby), and G. M. Beck,
Esq. (Ormesby), qualified as County Magistrates.
Oct. 16th. Testimonials of £15 sterling—a
richly-mounted walking stick, and a pipe—presented to
pay-master-Sergt. Grier, on his leaving the E. N. Militia, after 22
years.
Oct. 19th. The screw gunboat “Cherub,” 60
h.p., and two guns, anchored in the Roadstead. Also the
screw iron troopship “Assistance,” 1,300 h.p., and
two guns, 2,037 tons burthen; and two Tyne gunboats, each having
a 35-pounder.
Oct. 22nd. Heavy gale. Loss of the lugger
“Cynthia,” and all hands.
Oct. 23rd. First burial in the new Cemetery—Samuel
Mannall, many years in the Trinity service, aged 47.
Oct. 28th. A live stag found swimming at sea, over three
miles from land. The crew of the smack
“Gleaner” picked the animal up, and brought it safely
to the Royal Hotel stables.
Nov. 5th. Mr. J. W. Parsley, smack owner, late of
Greenwich, died at Gorleston, aged 46.
Nov. 8th. Schooner “Essex” driven ashore,
and wrecked south of Gorleston Pier. On the 11th the brig
“Vulcan” shared the same fate in the South Ham.
Nov. 15th. Mr. T. Elliot, of Ormesby, presented at the
Aquarium with a testimonial—a handsome épergne or
candelabrum, with a group of stags at the base—in
acknowledgment of public services rendered to numerous
charities.
Nov. 15th. Great Conservative Banquet held at the Drill
Hall. About 600 guests present, including the members for
North Norfolk, and Colonel Barne, M.P.
Nov. 17th. H. R. Harmer, Esq., appointed as Vestry Clerk
without a poll, in place of the late Mr. S. Barnard Cory.
Nov. 23rd. Mr. W. Stockton, Master of the School of
Navigation, presented with a travelling bag, completely fitted
up, a silver pencil case, and set of gold studs, by his old
pupils and friends, as a token of esteem.
Nov. The new steam tug “Comet,” built for
the Yarmouth Star Steam Tug Company, arrived at this port.
Nov. Mr. Henry Spelman Palmer attained the degree of
B.A. at the London University.
Nov. A patent wedge or railway key invented by
Mr. James Gillings.
Nov. 29th. Mr. John Woodger, died, aged 63 years.
Deceased was a member of the Yarmouth Corporation and Board of
Guardians.
Nov. Mr. Thomas Small resigned the Consular Agency after
24 years, and the French Government presented him with a gold
medal (in case) in recognition of valuable services.
Dec. 3rd. The Austrian barque “Olympo”
stranded on Yarmouth beach. The smack
“Steadfast” was lost on the following day, with two
hands.
Dec. 6th. Mr. William Rudd presented with a handsome
timepiece, silver inkstand and penholder, and two bronze
candelabra, by the Sunday School teachers and congregation of St.
Andrew’s.
Dec. 7th. Baptist Schoolrooms, Crown Road, built and
opened. Cost, £950. The corner-stone was laid
July 20th.
Dec. 8th. A black marble timepiece, inlaid with
malachite, presented to Mr. J. Johnson (foreman to Messrs.
Aldin), by the Directors of the Aquarium, for his skill and
assiduity in conducting these prodigious works.
Dec. 12th. The smack “Gnat,” of this port,
after a collision, foundered at the Silver Pits, value
£1,000.
Dec. 13th. Sir Charles R. Turner, fifth son of the late
Rev. Richard Turner of this town, died in London, aged 87.
Dec. 21st. The number of lasts of herrings for the
present season landed at the Fishwharf was 18,836. The
aggregate earnings of 20 boats amounted to £24,217,
i.e., £1,210 per boat, and the gross expenses
amounted to about £4,907. The previous year the
aggregate of 20 boats was £18,787, i.e., £981
per boat, and the expenses reached £4,582.
Dec. 23rd. The barque “Ingleborough,” of
Hull, lost on the Barber Sand. Value, £2,000; cargo,
£900. On the 27th the “Countess of
Zetland,” damaged by the floating wreck of the above, was
ran ashore opposite the Aquarium, where she became a total
wreck.
Dec.
28th. James Wright, master of the smack “Olive
Branch,” awarded a silver medal by the King of Sweden and
Norway for his bravery in saving the crew of a Norwegian
brig.
Dec. 30th. H.M. paddle-steamer “Valorous,”
and four iron twin-screw gunboats, of 360 tons each, arrived in
the Roadstead.
Deaths: March 27th, Mr. J. Barney Beales, sheriff’s
officer, aged 82.—Aug. 22nd, the Hon. Mrs. Harbord Harbord,
daughter of Sir H. J. Stracey.—Oct. 21st, Mr. S. B. Cory,
vestry clerk, aged 80.—Nov. 18th, H. E. B. Giles,
solicitor, aged 65.
Launches: Jan. 30th, smack “Flash.”—May,
smack “Ruby.”—July, yacht “Harry,”
belonging to Mr. H. A. Morris.—July, fishing boat
“Arab Steed.”—Aug. 19th, fishing dandy
“Challenge.”—Oct. 4th, smacks
“Sunbeam” and “Puss.”—Nov. 27th,
schooner “Arthur.”—Dec. 11th, trawling smack
“Carlisle.”
Jan. A portion of the North Denes levelled, preparatory
to laying the rails of the North Norfolk Railway. (See Oct.
27th, 1875.)
Jan. 9th. Charles Diver, Esq., elected Justices’
Clerk for the East and West Fleggs, in place of the late Mr. S.
B. Cory, deceased.
Jan. 9th. Fifteen fishing craft belonging to Messrs.
Smith and Son, sold at the “Star” for £13,320;
and on Feb. 5th ten of the late Mr. J. W. Parsley’s
realised £5,615.
Jan. 16th. P.c. Edwards presented with a handsome
timepiece and purse of £4 14s., by the salesmen, buyers,
and boatowners, for his attention and courtesy to them at the
Fishwharf.
Jan. 19th. The Stradbroke Road Board Schools, Gorleston,
opened. Cost, with fittings, £3,000; accommodate 500
children. (See Nov. 9th, 1875.)
Jan. 30th. Very heavy gale and boisterous high tide,
parts of the town being inundated. 18 Yarmouth smacks and
over 100 hands were lost. The Yarmouth “Mark
Lane” lifeboatmen bravely rescued the crew (12) of the
barque “Constantia,” wrecked on Scroby.
Fifty-five widows, 108 children, and 17 aged parents were left
destitute in this locality. The local relief fund reached
£2,540, and in London £6,800. The first grant
voted for Yarmouth and district was £2,745.
Jan. 30th. Calico fancy dress ball at St. Andrew’s
Hall, Gorleston.
Feb. 5th. Charles John Palmer, Esq., presented with a
gold watch, a silver flower-basket, and a purse of 100 guineas,
as a complimentary testimonial for his local literary researches
&c.; 235 persons subscribed £233 9s. 6d. (See
1830.)
Feb. 18th. New oak pulpit in the parish church erected
and used for the first time by the Vicar, the Rev. George
Venables, S.C.L.
Feb. The Secretary of State for War decided on the
formation of an Administrative Battalion, to consist of the 2nd
Norfolk (Yarmouth), 4th Suffolk (Bungay), 14th Suffolk (Beccles),
and 17th Suffolk (Lowestoft), under the title of the 1st
Administrative Battalion Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, with
headquarters at Yarmouth.
Feb. 19th. Sir James Paget, Bart., F.R.S., D.C.L.,
LL.D., appointed one of the Serjeant-Surgeons in Ordinary to the
Queen, in the room of Sir William Fergusson, Bart.,
deceased. He is the son of the late Mr. Samuel Paget, of
this town, and was born in 1814.
Feb. 21st. John Clowes, Esq., solicitor, died, aged 67
years. This gentleman formerly filled the office of Town
Clerk of the Borough; he was also a member of the Council and
Board of Guardians for many years, besides being Lord of the
Manor of Caister. (See 1822 and 1840.)
Feb. The body of a male child, about five months old,
sent from Liverpool Station to the Vauxhall terminus in a small
black bag; but no clue was ever found to the supposed murderess
or the gentleman to whom it was consigned.
March. J. H. Orde, Esq., resigned after 18
years’ service in the 2nd Norfolk Rifle Volunteer
Corps. On June 21st he was presented with a valuable gold
repeater watch by the Corps, at the Drill Hall, as a memento of
esteem.
March 5th. Major General Francis Montague Maxwell
Ommanney, B.A., died at Yarmouth, aged 50 years.
March 6th. Benjamin Daniels, a farmer of Scratby (five
miles from the birthplace of Hales), and the last of the East
Anglian giants, died and buried at Ormesby St. Margaret, aged 45
years. Height, 6 ft. 6 in.; weight, 24 stone; width across
the shoulders, 20 in.; and possessed great strength.
March 25th. Income of the Haven Commissioners for the
past year, £11,927 12s. 11d.; an increase of £782
11s. 5d. on the previous year. The imports in 1877 included
87,729 tons of coal, 288,032 qrs. of corn, and tonnage dues
176,475 tons, &c.; on fish and fishing vessels,
£2,110. Number of wherries trading on the Bure, 108,
of 1,934 tons burthen, and the income from this source,
£455 16s. 3d.
March 28th. First Military Assault-at-Arms at the Drill
Hall by the Non-commissioned officers and men of the 1st Royal
Dragoons from Norwich; and a second on April 17th, 1879, by the
1st Norfolk Artillery Volunteers.
March 31st. The Registrar-General reported 300 births,
135 marriages, and 179 deaths, 66 of the latter being persons of
60 years old and upwards, in the Borough during the past three
months.
April 16th. The schooner “Jane” (121 tons),
of Colchester, lost, with six hands, in a heavy gale, on the
Cross Sands; and on the 19th the Norwegian barque
“Suez” was beached south of the Wellington pier, with
the loss of one of her crew.
April 22nd. The Great Yarmouth Church of England,
“Mission” opened, and lasted a week.
May 3rd and 5th. The Corporation versus J. W. de
Caux. Arbitration proceedings taken respecting the
ownership of the Town wall, on the site of “Town Wall
House,” Theatre Plain, and subsequently decided in favour
of defendant.
May
4th. The National Lifeboat Institution reported the gallant
services rendered by the Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat crews in
saving 22 men from shipwreck during recent gales.
May 8th and 9th. A locomotive engine, intended for the
North Norfolk Railway, drawn on rails through Regent Street and
Market Place en route to the Beach Station. It was
named the “Ormesby,” and weighed about 18 tons; on
the 9th and 10th July a second engine, the “Stalham,”
was dragged by horses along Regent Street, Regent Road, and
Nelson Road North. On Sept. 13th, a third engine, the
“North Walsham,” and a fourth, the
“Martham,” on March 28th, 1879. The carriages
also had to be conveyed in like manner. (See Aug. 7th.)
May 17th. Rev. S. Hooke presented with a handsome
timepiece by the congregation of St. Peter’s Church.
May 24th. Sergeant-Major Britton, Colour-Sergts. J.
Norton and J. Wall, Sergt. J. Steel, Corporal W. Page, and
Privates T. Freebury and R. Hayes, belonging to the 9th Regiment,
each presented at Southtown Armoury with a medal for long service
and good conduct.
May 25th. The smack “Dauntless” lost on Haak
Sand.
May 27th. Rev. Edward Venables, B.A., son of the Vicar
of Yarmouth, ordained by the Bishop of Chichester, and was
appointed to a curacy at Hastings.
June 8th. The Royal Hotel partly rebuilt and
re-modelled.
June 16th. Five gentlemen belonging to the Britannia
Amateur Rowing Club rowed from Wroxham to Norwich, via
Yarmouth (63 miles), in 10 hrs. 40 min.
June 17th. Three Gorleston young men—Edwin Darby,
Augustus Hawes, and Arthur Thrower—accidentally drowned in
the river Wensum.
June 24th. On the death of his father, Viscount
Canterbury, K.C.B., G.C.M.G., Henry Charles, fourth Viscount (who
married in 1872 Amyée Rachel, the only daughter of the
late Hon. F. Walpole, M.P.), succeeded to the title.
July
2nd. The Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Bill passed the
House of Lords, and Royal assent given by Commission on July
19th.
July. The billyboy “Breeze,” of this port,
collided with H.M.S. “Wye,” off Carlton, and
foundered.
July 9th. The inhabitants and the Board of Trade awarded
Thomas Love and William Mann, of the smack “Fawn” two
medals and two watches for their bravery in rescuing five hands
from the smack “Bessie,” of London, during the gale
of Jan. 30th.
July 10th. Mr. I. S. Cooper’s tender of £325
10s. for each of the two brick mortuary chapels in the new
Cemetery accepted by the Corporation.
July 11th. The Royal Assembly Rooms purchased by Mr. W.
Butcher for £1,975. (See 1851, and April, 1869.)
July 21st to 27th. Encampment of the 3rd and 4th Norfolk
Rifles (about 920 rank and file), under command of Lieut.-Col.
Duff, M.P., and Lieut.-Col. R. T. Gurdon, on the North
Denes. On the brigade day about 2,000 volunteers, divided
into 30 companies, were manœuvred, and it was estimated
that some 20,000 civilians were present.
July 24th. Mr. Charles John Stokes (22), a member of the
Lynn Volunteers, mysteriously drowned in the river Yare. On
the 28th the body was picked up, and subsequently buried at Lynn;
but by order of the Secretary of State it was (Aug. 31st)
exhumed, and a post-mortem examination made, but no marks
of violence were discovered.
July 25th. The two principal stones of the nave of St.
James’ Church laid by the Mayor (T. B. Steward, Esq.) and
Mayoress. Cost of the nave was given at £3,150.
July 27th. Capt. Stokes, of the smack
“Falcon,” awarded a gold watch by the Emperor of
Germany for rescuing the crew of the wrecked ship
“Elise,” in Nov., 1876.
Aug. 7th. The North Norfolk Railway having been
inspected the previous day by Major-General Hutchinson, R.E., was
opened to the public as far as completed, namely, Yarmouth,
Caister, and Ormesby (5½ miles). The line was
constructed by Messrs. Wilkinson and Jarvis, of London. May
16th opened to Hemsby, and on July 15th, 1878, from this village
to Martham. (See May 8th and July.)
Aug. 9th. St. George’s Board Schools, St.
Peter’s Plain, opened, Mr. J. T. Bottle being the
architect. This Gothic building comprises girls’
school, 64 ft. by 20 ft., and accommodates 200 children;
infants’ room, 60 ft. by 23 ft., for 300 girls; and another
room, 24 ft. by 20 ft.; also lobbies, offices, and an open and
covered playground. Cost, £2,370.
Aug. 11th. Collision between the steam tugs
“United Service” and “Express” at the
Harbour’s mouth. Estimated damage to the latter,
£200.
Aug. 21st. Mr. Charles Panchen, of this town, rescued
from drowning a gentleman visitor whilst bathing from the South
Beach, and in Nov. was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s
bronze medal for his gallantry.
Aug. 21st. Miss Clementine Stirling-Graham died at
Duntrune, aged 95. On the death of this lady, John Edmund
Lacon, Esq., of this town, succeeded to her estates in
Forfarshire, and to all papers and relics of the great Viscount
Dundee.
Aug. 26th. Batt. Sergt.-Major Quince, (P.W.O.) Royal
Artillery, rescued another gentleman in imminent danger of
drowning, and in Jan., 1878, presented with the bronze medal of
the Royal Humane Society for his bravery, and by order of H.R.H.
the Duke of Cambridge it was presented by Lord Suffield on May
29th at a full parade, and permission given him to wear it on his
breast.
Aug. Captain Balls, of the schooner
“Benjamin,” belonging to W. J. Foreman, Esq., awarded
a silver medal and certificate by the King of the Netherlands for
gallant services in saving the crew of the
“Fortuna.” (See April, 1869.)
Aug. 30th. Miss Emma Maria Pearson lectured at the Town
Hall on “Servia during the War.”
Sept. Rateable value of the Borough, after
deducting allowances and losses, £73,400; Gorleston,
Southtown, and Cobholm Island, £19,000.
Sept. A new organ, built by Mr. W. C. Mack, of Yarmouth,
presented to the Queen’s Road Primitive Methodist Chapel by
G. Baker, Esq. It is 8 ft. 6 in. wide and 17 ft.
high. One manual from CC to G, 55 notes, and l½
octaves, German pedals, &c., and contains 398 pipes.
Opened Sept. 9th.
Sept. 5th. The smack “Joseph and Ann,”
belonging to Mr. G. Grief, of this port, run down by a steamer on
Cromer Knowl, and three of her crew drowned.
Sept. 9th. The Rev. S. Hooke preached his first sermon
at St. Peter’s Church after appointment as curate.
Sept. Mr. Ambrose Hulley presented with a silver-mounted
piccolo, in morocco case, with silver plate, at the Aquarium, in
appreciation of his talent as a musician.
Sept. 12th. Meeting at the Town Hall to raise
subscriptions for alleviating the distress caused by the famine
in India. Total collected here, £516 6s. 2d.
Sept. 13th. First annual regatta and fête of the
Yarmouth Rowing Club on the river Bure.
Sept. 29th. Mr. Edward Garrett presented at the Royal
Hotel with an elegant silver tea and coffee service, and a
massive silver salver, as a mark of esteem on his retiring from
the post of Master of the Norfolk and Suffolk Harriers, which he
had held 12 years.
Oct. 1st. The Temporary Grammar School opened as a Board
School.
Oct. 4th. The phenomenon of a water spout, in the form
of three immense pillars of vapour, and afterwards a spiral
column, passed over Gorleston, but did not discharge itself.
Oct. Additions made to the Parish Church organ, viz., a
“third rank” to the “mixture,” and an
orchestral hautbois, the latter with the cremona being enclosed
in a new small “swell case.” The organ now
contains 3,188 pipes in actual use.
Oct.
8th. High tide and heavy gale. Much damage done to
shipping in the Roadstead and at sea.
Nov. The School Board spent during the past year
£7,600; and the expenditure for building alone since the
establishment of the Board was just under £7,700.
Nov. 1st. Great excitement at Gorleston over the
Municipal contest between Messrs. S. S. Bately, F. Dendy, and H.
Denton. Result of poll:—Bately, 420; Dendy, 360;
Denton, 221.
Nov. 3rd. Riot in the town between Scotch and Yarmouth
fishermen.
Nov. 9th. Messrs. A. D. Stone, Wm. Worship, and P. Case
elected as Aldermen in the places of Messrs. R. Purdy, G. S.
Shingles, and W. D. Palmer, resigned.
Nov. 11th. Heavy gale, disastrous casualties among the
shipping and loss of life, the “Allerton Packet” and
“Beatrix” being stranded on the North Beach. In
another gale on Nov. 24th the hull of the latter was carried
against the Britannia Pier, breaking the piles, and damaging them
to the extent of £300.
Nov. 28th. Mr. J. F. Ryan, master of the School of Art,
presented at the Town Hall with an elaborately-chased silver
salver, and a purse of 20 guineas, by the past and present
students for his efficient teaching.
Nov. 29th. Mr. George Tewsley, after 21 years’
service as Superintendent of the Borough Police, resigned on a
superannuation fee. He had been 17 years previously in the
Metropolitan Force. On March 18th, 1878, the Police Force
presented Mr. Tewsley with a handsome marble clock, as a memento
of esteem, prior to his removing to Diss.
Dec. 2nd. The fishing lugger “Ceres” on fire
near the Fishwharf. Damage about £100.
Dec. 8th. H. R. Harmer, Esq., captured in the Norfolk
Broads a pike 41½ in. long, 19 in. in girth, and weighing
20 lbs.
Dec. 31st. 188 shipwrecked seamen received at the
Sailors’ Home in the year, and 4,660 since the opening of
the institution.
Dec. 277 English and foreign vessels, and 605 coasters
arrived in port in the year. During the year, 87 put in
wind-bound and 37 with loss of anchors; 21 were totally lost off
this coast, two with all hands; 36 assisted in by lifeboat crews,
and 36 casualties occurred in the river.
Dec. 31st. For the past 21 weeks 61,928 passengers had
been carried by the North Norfolk Railway, representing in
receipts £1,267 15s., with goods, £1,460.
Dec. During the past year 1,571 births occurred, and 913
deaths—increase of population, 658.
Marriages: April 10th, William Towler, eldest son of J. P.
Hall, Esq., to Miss Ellen E. Bunn.—June 14th, F. Burton,
Esq., solicitor, to Miss M. I. Meadows.—June 19th, Rev. A.
Hume, M.A., to Miss E. T. Waters.—July 5th, H. J. N.
Stratton, Esq., to Miss E. M. Youell, of Gorleston.—July
20th, T. B. U. Lacon, Esq., to Florence Dunbar Banks.—Aug.
18th, J. S. Clowes, Esq., solicitor, to Miss Isabella M.
Clowes.—Oct. 23rd, T. P. Burroughs, Esq., to Miss S.
Fulcher.
Deaths: Jan. 6th, Francis Worship, Esq., J.P., aged
75.—Feb. 8th, Major R. B. Nesbitt.—Feb. 21st, John
Clowes, Esq., aged 67.—March 9th, Mr. William Shipley,
M.R.C.V.S.—March 2lst, Henry Hammond, Esq., at Southtown,
aged 70.—April 15th, John Fenn, Esq., J.P., aged
81.—May 16th, Captain C. Small, Vice-Consul, aged 60.
July 18th, Mr. James Beeching, shipbuilder, aged 65.—July
23rd, Captain William S. Scroggs, aged 60.—July 26th, Mr.
H. Pestell, aged 77.—Sept. 8th, Isaac Strutt, Esq., aged
38.—Oct. 19th, R. F. Veale, Esq., J.P., aged 46. Nov.
2nd, W. Thurtell, Esq., J.P., aged 82.—Nov. 3rd, Mr. R. W.
Durrell, of Gorleston, aged 44.
Launches: June 12th, smack “Emma
Eliza.”—July 19th, trawling smack
“Chatterbox.”—Aug. 14th, fishing lugger
“Seamew.”—Aug. 28th, fishing boat
“Norfolk.”—Sept. 1st, cutter
“Flare.”
Jan. The Rev. A. J. Worlledge, M.A., appointed by the
Bishop of Lincoln to an honorary canonry of Lincoln Cathedral, at
the early age of 29 years.
Jan.
15th. Two fires broke out in fishhouses and premises
belonging to Mr. R. T. Seago, Row 137, and Mr. Wisker, Row
138.
Jan. 16th. John Van Hutton died, aged 102, being born on
March 10th, 1776, and his remains buried in the New Cemetery.
Jan. 31st. First triennial election of the School Board,
who held office till Feb. 16th. The following 11 gentlemen
chosen without going to a poll:—Messrs. J. H. Orde, H. E.
Buxton, J. W. de Caux, (Rev.) A. Peaton, G. Baker, D. Tomkins, R.
E. Dowson, S. J. F. Stafford, T. Saul, J. T. Waters, and (Rev.)
J. F. Splaine, eight being re-elected. On Nov. 29th Mr. F.
Dendy elected in the place of Mr. Stafford.
Feb. 8th. The Rev. E. Whitehead, M.A., incumbent of
Southtown, presented with a chased silver salver by the
parishioners of Denham, Suffolk.
Feb. 26th. William E. Pretyman, Esq., grandson of the
late Bishop of Lincoln, died at Yarmouth. This gentleman,
up to the time of his decease, spent the greater part of his time
in fishing like an ordinary smacksman, for which pursuit he owned
a smack—the “Lincoln”—fitted up in a
superior style.
Feb. 28th. Mr. J. Ogden, Inspector of Police at Hanley,
appointed, out of 50 candidates, Superintendent of the Yarmouth
Constabulary in the place of Mr. Tewsley.
Mar. Rev. G. Merriman, Vicar of Martham, appointed
domestic chaplain to the Marquis of Ailesbury.
March 7th. Mr. Walter Teasdel gallantly rescued a boy
named Coen (12) from drowning in the river, and in April the
Royal Humane Society acknowledged his bravery.
March 7th. High and boisterous tide, the lower parts of
the town being inundated, and a wherry, belonging to Mr. Goff,
and the smack “Two Brothers” sunk in the harbour.
March. Loss of the smack “Fawn” and all
hands.
March 22nd. The claims of the shareholders in the
Yarmouth and Eastern Counties’ Aquarium Company, after five
years, finally wound-up, 15s. out of each £ invested
being refunded by the hon. liquidator, C. C. Aldred, Esq., who
was presented with a magnificent silver salver by the
shareholders. The amount invested was £3,431.
March 24th. The training-ship “Eurydice”
wrecked off Dunnose, Isle of Wight, and over 360 lives
lost. This vessel anchored in Yarmouth Roadstead in
1877.
March 25th. The annual income this year of the Port and
Haven Commissioners was £12,478 10s. 3d., and for 1879,
£12,110 15s. 1d.
March 28th. Loss of the smacks “Henry,”
“Dairy Maid,” and “Deerhound;” also the
barque “Theresa” and brig “Vladimir” in a
gale.
April 1st. Major Hector Tullock, R.E., held an enquiry
at Runham-Vauxhall respecting the borrowing of £1,000 for
carrying out the water and drainage scheme; also on Feb. 11th,
1879.
April. Memorial window placed in the chancel-part of the
Parish Church in memory of William Palgrave, Esq. (who died
in 1838), and Elizabeth, his wife, by their surviving
children.
April. Intelligence received at Yarmouth of the loss of
the barque “Ponda Chief” off Natal. (See Aug.
2nd, 1875.)
April 17th. Public meeting at the Town Hall to oppose
the Town Council in the proposed building of a new Town Hall, but
on Jan. 16th, 1879, the loan of £30,000 was sanctioned by
the Treasury.
April 20th. The Army and East Norfolk Militia Reserves
called up, and subsequently the former sent to Colchester and the
latter to Ireland.
April 23rd and 24th. Frank Buckland and Spencer Walpole,
Esqs., two of her Majesty’s Commissioners, held an enquiry
at the Sailors’ Home respecting the destruction of small
soles and other trawl fish, by order of the Secretary of the Home
Department.
April. A handsome and costly monument, rather above 20
feet in height, erected in the Cemetery. It bears the
following inscription:—“Erected by his bereaved and
sorrowing mother, in fond remembrance of Charles S. T. Mills,
Esq. (the dearly beloved and only son of Charles and Maria
Mills), who died at Great Yarmouth on the 19th December, 1875,
aged 29 years. Gone before.” This monument is
of solid Aberdeen polished grey granite, surmounted by a
beautiful marble upright figure representing “Truth,”
the latter being the work of an Italian sculptor. The tomb
is surrounded at the base by floral wrought-iron railings, fixed
in 1879. (See Sept., 1883.)
April. The congregation of St. Andrew’s presented
the Rev. E. G. H. Murrell with a silver salver and two silver
napkin-rings, as a wedding present.
May 1st. The new nave of St. James’ Church built
and opened at a cost of £3,250. Interior length, 103
ft.; width, 33 ft.; height, 53 ft.; exterior height, 70 ft.
Accommodates about 700 worshippers. This nave forms only a
third of the proposed entire building.
May 2nd. Mrs. T. Burton Steward, wife of the Captain of
the 1st Norfolk Artillery Volunteers, presented with a handsome
silver-plated épergne, subscribed for by the officers and
men of the corps.
May 3rd. Mr. Archibald Forbes, war correspondent to the
Daily News, lectured at the Aquarium on the leading
episodes, from personal experience, of the Battle of the Shipka
Pass, crossing the Danube, and the Battle of Plevna. Mr.
Forbes’ first visit to Yarmouth was in 1872, during the
stay of the Prince of Wales.
May 6th. H.M. steam-yacht “Hawk” and
schooner “Mermaid” anchored in the Roadstead.
May 7th. Rev. F. C. Villiers presented with a handsome
épergne by the North-end Mission congregation in this
town.
May. Sir Francis Goldsmid, Bart., Q.C., F.R.G.S., died
from an accident. In 1854 he was a candidate with Mr.
Rumbold for the representation of the Borough.
May 9th. Quay House sold by auction for
£1,720.
May 12th. Fire at Messrs. H. and E. Brand’s
outfitting premises, South Denes Road.
May 23rd. Fire in a tar store at Gorleston belonging to
Mr. J. Fleming Hewett; damage £80.
May
26th. Mr. H. S. Baumgartner, of Gorleston, passed the
preliminary examination of the Apothecaries’ Hall.
May 29th. The Venerable Archdeacon Perowne made his
first visitation since being appointed to the place of Archbishop
Hopper, deceased.
June 20th. Mr. Edward T. Ayers, author of several legal
works, passed the intermediate examination under the
Solicitors’ Act, 1877, held by the Incorporated Law
Society; and on the same date Mr. W. H. Cowl successfully passed
a similar examination.
June 24th. The Wellington Pier Company let by public
tender their pier to Mr. S. Boughton, for three years, the
average receipts for the previous three years being £481
5s. per annum.
June 28th. The Rev. George Venables appointed one of her
Majesty’s Commissioners to enquire into the law and the
existing practice as to the sale, exchange, and resignation of
Ecclesiastical Benefices, and to recommend remedies for abuses if
any found to exist.
June. A large dredger for the Haven, named the
“FitzRoy,” costing £5,495, ordered by the Port
and Haven Commissioners, which arrived here April 6th, 1879.
June 28th. Major Dods, E.N.M., presented with an
elaborate silver épergne, with a greyhound at the base, as
a testimonial, by the gentlemen forming the Norfolk and Suffolk
Coursing Meeting, in token of respect, after 15 years their hon.
sec.
June. Mr. Leggett’s contract of £855 for
building the north transept, aisle, and porch of St. John’s
Church accepted. Entire cost, £1,050.
July 4th. The Council elected Mr. William Hurry Palmer
as an Alderman; and on Aug. 26th Mr. Charles Diver to fill the
vacancy in the Haven Commission caused by the death of Mr. J. W.
Bunn.
July 9th. Winterton Church re-opened after being partly
restored at a cost of £3,000.
July 11th. Mr. Charles Jennings, son of C. H. Wiltshire,
Esq., passed the preliminary examination of the Incorporated Law
Society.
July. Forty-one designs for a new Town Hall for
the Borough open to public inspection at the old Town Hall, three
prizes having been offered by the Corporation for the three
best.
July 13th. The smack “Admiral” sunk off
Southwold, and on the same day one of Messrs. Hewitt’s
steam-cutters collided with the steamboat “Naiad” off
Gravesend.
July 26th. Encampment on the South Denes during the past
week of the 3rd and 4th Norfolk Rifles, there being over 200
tents erected for their accommodation. (See July 21st,
1877.)
July 31st. Rev. G. Venables, Vicar of Yarmouth,
appointed by the Bishop of Norwich Rural Dean of Flegg.
Aug. 1st. Serious fire broke out on the premises of Mr.
H. Teasdel, ship-chandler, Southtown. On Sept. 24th, 1845,
Mr. Teasdel’s warehouses were destroyed by the same
element.
Aug. 12th. Alarming thunderstorm, accompanied with vivid
flashes of lightning, heavy hail and rainfall, and a
hurricane. The electric fluid did considerable damage to
several houses in the town and neighbourhood, and in more than
one dwelling played sad havoc with the furniture, &c.—a
house in Row 63 coming off worst. A part of one of St.
Mary’s Church (Southtown) pinnacles was dislocated.
Aug. 22nd. Loss of the “Norfolk Lass” (140
tons), of this port, and five hands, including Capt. A. W. Vince
and his son, aged 12, on Corton Sand. She was built by
Messrs. Fellows in 1841.
Aug. An old wreck found under-water near the entrance of
the Harbour, supposed to have been sunk two centuries before to
prevent the old fort from being undermined by the current.
In 1555 a vessel was sunk here, but whether the same, is
doubtful. It was 77 ft. long by 27 ft. wide.
Aug. 28th. A horse and cart belonging to Mr. Norton fell
over the Quay-head opposite Town Hall and the animal drowned.
Aug. 29th. Eight houses in St. George’s Terrace
sold by public auction for £4,400.
Sept.
3rd. A member of Mr. B. Fielding’s Concert Party lost
his wife and two children among the 600 drowned in the ill-fated
steamship “Princess Alice,” which collided with s.s.
“Bywell Castle” off Barking.
Sept. 19th. Fishing boat “Stately” wrecked
on Yarmouth Beach.
Sept. 25th. New Post office at Gorleston opened.
Sept. 26th. Vice-Admiral Spencer Smyth, of this town,
promoted from the rank of Vice-Admiral to that of Admiral on the
retired list. (See April, 1870, and June 12th, 1873.)
He died on April 3rd, 1879, aged 87 years, and his remains were
subsequently interred in Gorleston Churchyard.
Sept. 28th. The body of a newly-born female babe found
by two smack-boys on the beach wrapped in a white cotton bundle,
and a reward of £50 was offered by Government for the
apprehension of any person concerned in the murder.
Sept. 29th. A fine sturgeon, 5 ft. long, and weighing
about 90 lbs., captured in the Roadstead; also a young porpoise
and (in Dec.) a live seal, all of which were taken to the
Aquarium.
Sept. 29th. One thousand five hundred and twenty-six
police cases summarily dealt with by the Magistrates during the
past year.
Sept. 29th. The Port and Haven Commissioners’
receipts from dues for the past half-year amounted to
£6,883 18s.
Sept. 30th to Oct. 1st. The celebrated actress, Mrs.
Rousby, appeared at the Theatre Royal as “Princess
Elizabeth” in ’Twixt Axe and Grown. Mrs.
Rousby died in April, 1879.
Oct. The high flint wall enclosing St. Mary’s
Catholic Church, Regent Road, pulled down, and a low wall,
surmounted with a light handsome palisading, put in its
place. In 1879 the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Caister Road,
was enclosed with a stone wall mounted by an iron railing.
Oct. 10th. Three men belonging to the “Sea
Gull,” owned by Messrs. Hewitt and Co., drowned at sea
whilst ferrying fish.
Oct.
13th. The Lord Bishop of British Columbia (Dr. George
Hills) again preached in St. Nicholas’ Church.
Oct. 15th. The Right Rev. Bishop Mackenzie, Sub-Dean of
Lincoln and Bishop Suffragan of Nottingham, died at
Lincoln. (See 1844 and Aug., 1869.)
Oct. 21st. Messrs. Grout and Co. presented at the Paris
Exhibition with a gold medal for superiority in the manufacture
of pure silk crape.
Oct. 23rd. The fishing lugger “Eustace”
foundered at sea.
Oct. 23rd. Inspector George Tewsley, chief-clerk in the
Leeds Police Force, and son of our late Superintendent of Police,
promoted to Lieutenant in the Edinburgh Constabulary, at a salary
of £170 a-year. On Jan. 1st, 1879, the Leeds Force
presented him with an illuminated address.
Oct. 24th. The Gorleston Storm Company’s
lifeboatmen gallantly rescued the crew of the brig
“Fuschia,” which foundered on Scroby Sands.
Oct. E. P. Youell, Esq., appointed by the Lord
Lieutenant a Magistrate for the County of Suffolk.
Nov. 2nd. Mr. J. Green, of Gorleston, sprang into the
river at the Brush and rescued a child named Warner from
drowning. In March, 1879, he was awarded the Royal Humane
Society’s bronze medal and clasp for his gallantry.
Nov. 4th. A wooden building constructed on the North
Nelson Road, which Messrs. W. and G. Pinder used as a circus up
to March 22nd, 1879. Messrs. Pinder first made their
acquaintance with Yarmouth during the existence of the Regent
Hall.
Nov. 5th. 80th birthdays of Mrs. Bowles and Mrs.
Marshall, twin sisters, of this town, the only two surviving
“children” of the late Robert Blake, fish merchant,
out of a family of 22.
Nov. 8th. A terrific gale and serious damage to fishing
craft (about 70) and shipping generally, with loss of life,
including three hands belonging to the smack “Olive
Leaf.”
Nov.
16th. Destructive floods throughout the
County—Norwich on this date being the greater sufferer;
part of the Great Eastern Railway was submerged, as well as the
Hundreds in the Northern and Eastern Divisions.
Nov. 27th. The Town Council appointed as Burial Board
for the parish of Gorleston, and in 1879 the new Cemetery at
Gorleston was formed.
Dec. 14th. The news of the death of her Majesty’s
second daughter Princess Alice observed in the town with the
usual outward manifestations of sorrow.
Dec. Smack “Ingomar” lost through a
collision.
Dec. 18th. Robert David Barber, Esq., J.P., T.C., and
Actuary of the Yarmouth Savings Bank, died, aged 72 years.
Mr. Barber was Mayor of the Borough in 1874. He was
succeeded in the Council by Mr. Fredk. Carpenter on Jan. 16th,
1879; W. Barnard, Esq., as a Magistrate on March 7th, 1879; and
Mr. Alfred Teasdel in the banking firm.
Dec. 20th. The s.s. “C. S. Butler,” with 900
tons of coal, of London, wrecked on Hasbro’ Sand, but her
crew of 17 saved by the “Tyro.”
Dec. 23rd. Lieut.-Colonel James Duff, M.P. for North
Norfolk, died in London, aged 47 years. His remains were
interred in the quiet churchyard at Westwick, Westwick
Park. As a Statesman, an officer in the army, a Freemason,
or a private gentleman, Col. Duff’s general manner, his
courtesy, and his hospitality endeared him to the hearts of all
classes and sects who had the honour of his acquaintance.
Dec. 26th. Three Yarmouth gentlemen skated a distance of
23 miles over the rivers Thirne and Bure.
Dec. 31st. During the past half-year the Y. and N. N.
Railway had carried 89,762 passengers, and taken £2,607
14s. 5d. The gross receipts amounted to £3,503 16s.,
and the expenditure was £1,629 8s.
Dec. 31st. The number of herrings landed at the
Fishwharf during the season amounted to 10,150 lasts; and in the
previous year 19,405 lasts, by about 650 fishing boats.
Dec. One hundred and eighty-four public-houses and 121
beer-houses in Yarmouth.
Dec. Three hundred and thirty-seven English and
foreign vessels arrived in port during the year. Number of
coasters 973. 24 vessels were totally lost off this coast
in 1878, one with all hands, and 67 assisted in by lifeboat
crews.
The receipts for this year’s Roads Regatta were
£203 7s. 8d. The expenditure left a balance of
£11 2s.
Marriages: Jan. 10th, A. E. Cowl, Esq., to Miss Emma E.
Gambling; Feb. 16th, E. B. K. Lacon, Esq., to Florence A. Foster;
Feb. 27th, J. S. Cobb, L.D.S., R.C.S., to Caroline S. Simpson;
March 5th, Mr. Jas. Rivett to Miss A. Pike; April 30th, Rev. E.
G. H. Murrell to Miss Agnes E. Aldred; May 7th, Rev. R. J. Tacon,
J.P., of Rollesby, to Caroline B. Pitt; June 11th, Rev. H. J.
Bode to Miss G. H. Murrell; Aug. 8th, Mr. F. W. Dendy to Miss J.
Baumgartner.
Deaths: Jan., Capt. Cox, late County Court Bailiff; Jan. 18th,
Mrs. Geo. Danby Palmer, aged 91; Jan. 26th, Mr. H. W. Weller,
seven years manager of Southtown Gas Works, aged 47; March 17th,
Mr. T. G. Ridgway Knight; May 31st, Rev. G. W. Steward, of
Caister, aged 73; June 1st, Mr. Frank Noverre, aged 71; June 4th,
Mr. J. T. Savage, aged 52; June 2nd, Garson Blake, Esq., J.P.,
aged 63; June 3rd, Capt. John Porter Laws, aged 71; June 11th,
Capt. T. Davis, R.N.; June 24th, Mr. Alderman J. W. Bunn, aged
49; Dec. 18th, R. D. Barber, Esq., J.P., aged 72; Dec. 30th, Rev.
J. Randerson, aged 72; Dec. 31st, Mr. T. W. Attwood, aged 60.
Launches: Jan. 2nd, dandy smack “Charlie”; Jan.
11th, smack “Rover”; Feb. 7th, smack
“Daylight”; May 16th, dandy cutter
“Susie”; June 5th, dandy cutter “Moggy”;
June 17th, smack “Oak”; Aug. smacks
“Myrtle,” “Prompt” and “Violet
May”; Aug. 29th, trawling smack “Cyprus”; Sept.
“Hilda”; Sept. 18th, “Progress”; same
month “William Henry” and “Ettie.”
The winter was one of the longest and severest known for many
years past, lasting over seven months. The Southtown slabs
and marshes were for several weeks covered with ice.
Jan. 1st. Rateable yearly value of property in Yarmouth
was £92,603. Number of paupers relieved this
day—indoor, 307; outdoor, 852. Expenditure for year
ending Michaelmas, 1878, in-maintenance, £3,778;
out-relief, £4,413. Salaries, rations, and
superannuation of officers, £1,824; maintenance of lunatics
in asylums, £1,273; other expenses, £1,401; total
relief to the poor, £12,689.
Jan. Mr. J. T. Bottle, architect of this town, wrote and
published a poetical play entitled, Brian Boru, of which
the Spectator says:—“There is so much that is pure,
and stately, and dramatic in the tragedy, that we cannot but hope
much for the author.”
Jan. 18th. Weston, the American pedestrian, started from
the Royal Exchange on a walk of 2,000 miles in 1,000 hours.
After completing 1,782½ miles he lectured at the Yarmouth
Theatre. On Feb. 28th, Weston had walked 1,977½
miles, being 22½ miles in arrear.
Jan. 21st. Edward Birkbeck, Esq., of Horstead Hall,
Norwich, elected M.P. for North Norfolk, in place of the late
Col. Duff, by a majority of 490 over Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton,
Bart., of Warlies, Waltham Abbey, Essex. The declaration of
the poll at Aylsham next day was—Birkbeck (C.), 2,742;
Buxton, 2,252. About 1,600 voters polled in Yarmouth, and
the remainder in the Division. The constituency comprised
6,474 electors, but 1,480 abstained from voting. It was a
sharply-contested battle, and cost, according to official
returns, Mr. Birkbeck, £3,496; and Sir Thomas Fowell
Buxton, £3,189 14s. 8d.
Feb. 9th. Mr. F. Hewitt’s smack “Henry and
Polly” foundered on the Shipwash Sand, and on Feb. 10th,
the “William” on Scroby.
Feb. 12th. St. John’s Church re-opened.
Feb. The smack “Himalaya” launched.
Feb. 18th. Captain Wilson presented with a handsome
silver flower-stand by the Mayor, on behalf of the Gorleston
Company of the 2nd Norfolk Rifles, as a testimonial.
March
6th. In the skating contest of 12 hours, at the Norwich
Rink, 33 rounds to the mile, for the Championship of the Eastern
Counties, 16 entered, but only eight started, the son of Mr. E.
Candler, now of “Angel” Hotel, Yarmouth, taking first
prize—a gold medal, in a beautiful case, bearing the
following inscription:—“Twelve hours’ skating
contest, champion of Eastern Counties, won by E. F.
Candler. Distance skated in twelve hours, 77 miles 7
laps.”
March 7th. T. B. Steward, Wm. Barnard, W. Harrison,
Walter Brown, W. H. Bessey, R. E. Dowson, J. A. Norman, J. P.
Baumgartner, and R. Bryant, Esqs., appointed Magistrates for the
Borough.
March 25th. Receipts of the School Board for past
half-year, £1,765; expenditure, £1,521. The
rate was then 1d. on the £ per quarter.
March. The steamer “Luxor” (under the
command of Captain Fill, son of the late Mr. S. Fill, of
Yarmouth), on fire at Gravesend; and Chief-Constable Berry (late
of Yarmouth), with Captain John Lake and the Fire Brigade,
subdued the conflagration after 26 hours’ hard work.
March 24th. Gallant services rendered by the Caister
beachmen in rescuing the captain and crew of the Norwegian brig
“Cito” on Hasbro’ during a heavy gale and sea,
after 14 hours’ exposure.
March. Rev. A. Aldred, curate of Horncastle, son of C.
C. Aldred, Esq., presented by the Lord Chancellor to the living
of Worlingham, near Beccles.
April 3rd. Mr. W. Sexton, Lay Vicar of Westminster Abbey
(formerly of Yarmouth), appointed Professor of Music and Singing
at the Westminster Endowed Schools (600 boys). Was also
chosen choir-master of St. Peter’s, Eaton Square, on March
the 25th.
April 3rd. First Yarmouth Bicycle Club opened with 16
members.
April 7th. The “Falcon,” of this port,
stranded on Fedra Rocks; and on the 9th the Italian barque
“Guiseppina N.” wrecked on Yarmouth Beach—value
£4,900.
April
18th. Mr. T. Saul elected a member of the Town Council for
St. Andrew’s Ward by a majority of 100 shove Mr. B. H.
Press. Vacancy caused by death of Mr. T. W. Gooda, whose
property was sold on May 15th, and realised £3,814 14s.
6d.
April 24th. The Vicar of Yarmouth presented with a
life-size portrait of himself in gilt frame by a number of
parishioners as a token of respect, on his 57th birthday.
It was painted in oil by Mr. Baldry (Herbert Leslie).
Messrs. Hunter and English’s charge for constructing the
new dredger (FitzRoy) was £5,647. On trial it raised
360 tons of loamy clay in 3½ hours, and since then 800
tons were dredged up in six hours. The consumption of coal
was one ton for every 750 tons of soil raised. The old
dredger was sold by auction in June, 1880, for £125.
April. Rev. S. Hooke, minister of St. Peter’s,
presented by the members of his Bible Class with a small
Communion service. On July 14th this gentleman, on the
death of the Rev. R. F. Palmer, was instituted to the living at
Clopton, worth about £600 or £700 a year. Mr.
Hooke preached his farewell sermon on Aug. 31st, and on the
following evening was presented at the Rifle Drill Hall with a
silver tea and coffee service, silver salts, fish carver and
fork, by his congregation and friends.
May. New Barracks on the South Denes built.
May 10th. The body of a dead female child found in Row
43. It was wrapped up in rags, and weighed 8 lbs.
Supposed to have been murdered.
May 28th. Mr. L Preston, jun.’s, yacht
“Maud” sold by auction for £120. She is
now the property of Mr. Stanley.
June. Sir John Hawkshaw made a report on the causes of
the late disastrous floods in the valley of the Wensum and at
Norwich.
June 10th. Mr. Wm. Howes Hunt died, aged 72. He
was born on Oct. 10th, 1806, and was originally apprenticed to a
bookbinder, and served his time to it; but that not proving
lucrative, he afterwards turned his attention to the drapery
business—first as an assistant, then as manager, and
afterwards as a partner in this town with Mr. C. Miller.
His leisure time was spent in painting, and he became an artist
of considerable ability, his works being much valued.
June. The so-called “Captain Alwyns,” of the
yacht “Cynthia,” visited Yarmouth, and will be long
remembered by some of our tradesmen who were duped by him,
especially Mr. Sutton, of the “Victoria” Hotel, and
Mrs. Sewell, grocer, with whom he dealt heavily. He was
subsequently captured at Keswick, in Cumberland, and committed
for trial.
June 17th. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales came to Yarmouth,
via Norwich, this being his second visit, and the town was
en fête. The principal streets were gaily
decorated with bunting, and there was a grand display of
fireworks from the Wellington Pier the same evening. He
stayed at Shaddingfield Lodge till the 19th, during which time he
inspected his own Artillery Regiment, the Volunteers, and the
Duke of Edinburgh’s Band. He also visited the Theatre
Royal (where the Gaiety Company had made arrangements for his
delectation), and Somerleyton Hall, the seat of Lady and Sir
Savile Crossley.
June 18th. Sir John Coode furnished a lengthy report for
improving the South Pier and Haven Works, and the Commissioners
decided to spend £3,650. The Spur Breakwater, of
cement concrete, was estimated to cost £10,600. Sir
John’s first report was dated April, 1873.
June 23rd. Sergt.-Major Britton, who had served nearly
23 years in the army, viz., 18 months in the 17th Hussars and
Military Train respectively, and 21 years in the 9th Regiment,
from which he now retires upon pension, was presented with a
diamond-set gold scarf-pin in case, by his brother
Non-commissioned Officers of the 31st Brigade Depôt, and a
meerschaum pipe by Canteen Steward Welby. He was in the
Crimea for 15 months, and served at the siege of Sebastopol.
June
25th. Dr. J. J. Raven presented with a testimonial by the
scholars of the Grammar School on the anniversary of his
birthday, as a mark of respect to him as their Head Master.
June 29th. Fatal boiler explosion on board the s.s.
“Black Swan,” while in the Cockle Gat, and three men
killed, and one other severely scalded, so much so that he died
in the Yarmouth Hospital on July 13th. The ill-fated
steamer was brought into this port, and an inquest held at the
above Institute.
June 30th. Caister churchyard closed for burials, and a
new Cemetery opened.
June 30th. The smack “Wild Duck” lost at
sea; and on July 3rd the “Tantivy” shared the same
fate. Crews saved.
July 8th. A vote of condolence proposed by the Yarmouth
Town Council to the Empress Eugénie, the Ex-Empress of
France, expressive of the town’s sympathy with her on the
loss of her son (the Prince Imperial) in the Zulu War.
July 14th. The great tenor, Sims Reeves, accompanied by
Miss Brooke and Signor Foli, gave a Concert at the Aquarium,
under the direction of Mr. W. Pyatt. Formosa was
performed the same evening at the Theatre Royal on the opening
night of Mr. A. Terry Hurst’s season.
July 15th. A plague comprising millions of tiny spiders
visited our shores, and exemplified their natural industry.
A similar plague on April 24th, 1880. On Sept. 1st, 1880,
there was a plague of myriads of flies on the beach.
July 18th. Fire at Mr. Smith’s fish office and
premises in Row 123.
July 23rd. A handsome silver épergne, with
glasses for flowers and fruit, and surmounted by a richly-chased
cradle, bearing the Yarmouth Arms and Corporation Insignia,
presented to the Mayor at the Town Hall. On the base of the
épergne is inscribed:—“Presented to E. H. H.
Combe, Esq., by the Justices and Town Council of the Borough of
Great Yarmouth, in commemoration of the birth of a daughter
during his mayoralty, 1878–9.” The health of
the daughter was drunk in the “loving cup” after the
ceremony.
July 24th. Boat capsized on Breydon, and the four men in
it rescued by a wherryman, named James Paston. The wherry,
however, sunk before they were got ashore, and Paston and his
wife, together with the four men had a narrow escape, but were
all brought to land safely in another boat which went to their
rescue.
July 29th. One hundred and ninety-three building sites
north of the Workhouse, and 18 to west of New Cemetery, belonging
to the Corporation, offered by auction, but only a few found
purchasers.
Aug. The new Police Station at Gorleston built.
Aug. 3rd. A terrible thunderstorm, accompanied by rain
and lightning of a most dangerous character, at early morning,
and lasted for several hours. There were also a gale and
high tide. The lightning destroyed much property, Mr.
Pycraft, of Exmouth Road, being among the greater sufferers, his
residence being wrecked by the electric fluid; and in Gorleston
several houses suffered from the same cause. Many parts of
the district were flooded with water, as the rainfall was 2.43
inches, equal to 245.414 tons, or 54,972.796 gallons per acre;
and on the square mile, 157,065.139 tons, or 35,182,592.919
gallons. Mr. W. H. Willis says:—“A dam, 2,000
feet long and 50 ft. wide, would require the sides and ends to be
about 111 ft. 9 in. high to hold a fall of 2.43
inches.”
Aug. 8th. A smacksman attempted to murder a woman, named
Alice Sutton, in George Street, by stabbing her several times
with a knife.
Aug. 11th. A young man, named Harvey, saved three
gentlemen whilst bathing from the beach. These made 11 he
has saved from a watery grave.
Aug. 11th to 20th. The British Archæological
Society held their 26th Annual Congress at Yarmouth, under the
presidency of Lord Waveney, D.L., F.R.S., the Mayor being
chairman of the local committee. The opening dinner was
held in the Nelson Room, at the Star Hotel, and meetings every
evening were convened at the Town Hall. Every place of
interest in the town and neighbourhood were visited in the ten
days.
Aug. 13th. The barque “Zurich” foundered on
Hasbro’. Crew saved.
Aug. 25th. Eighty children baptized at St. Peter’s
Church.
Aug. 27th. Tenders opened for erecting the new Municipal
Buildings. Thirteen were sent in, viz.:—Messrs.
Durrant and Evans, £31,300; T. Howes, £28,572; B.
Springall, £28,208; Hubbard and Co., £27,995; Cornish
and Gaymer, £27,740; I. S. Cooper, £27,650; Bardwell
and Bros., £27,600; E. Howes and Cooper, £27,590; P.
H. Dawes, £27,417; G. E. Howes, £26,900; Jones and
Co., £26,533; H. Everett and Son, £26,000; and Lacey
and Co. (Norwich), £26,200, the latter being
accepted. For building the new Police Station, residence
for chief constable, &c., in Middlegate Street, Mr.
Bray’s tender of £1,447 was accepted.
Aug. 29th. R. F. Kemp saved a man from drowning near the
beach, his bravery being afterwards recognised by the Royal
Humane Society.
Aug. 29th. The opening of the Yare-side Iron Works at
Southtown celebrated by a dinner to the work people of Messrs.
Alexander and Wright.
Sept. 6th. A rate collector charged with embezzling
£362 18s. 9½d., and afterwards imprisoned for 15
months. Another collector absconded in Nov., and was
arrested by Inspector Dann at Liverpool, on the 21st.
Sep. 14th. A pike, 43 in. long and 20 in. in girth,
weighing 27 lbs., caught at Cantley.
Sept. 24th and 25th. The seventh annual East of England
Horse Show held at Southtown. This was the second time
Yarmouth had been chosen.
Sept. 30th. Tom Massingham, of Newcastle, better known
as “Steeple Jack,” removed the weather-cock off St.
Nicholas’ spire for regilding. This wind-indicator is
141 years old, stands 2 ft. 8 in, in height, and is 4
ft. long. It had not been gilded for 39 years before.
The act was a daring one, as the steeple is 168 feet high.
The steeple is covered with tinned sheet copper.
Sept. 30th. Mr. S. Aldred sold by auction the old Town
Hall, Police Station, &c., to be pulled down by purchasers,
which realised a total of £535. The fixtures were
sold previously. The Corporation “reserved to
themselves” the foundation or memorial stone, with its
contents, but this was “conspicuous by its
absence.”
Oct. 1st. The Yarmouth ringers rang 1,008 grandsire
trebles on the Parish Church bells, to celebrate the 84th
birthday of Thomas Gooch, he himself taking the treble.
Gooch was born at Richmond in 1795, and died at Yarmouth in
1883. His late father was steward to George III.
Oct. The hull of the “Iron Duke,” wrecked on
the beach on Nov. 18th, 1841, discovered under the sand opposite
the Aquarium, in a direct line with the third bay from the south
end.
Oct. 4th. Fire on Mr. Robert George’s premises at
Southtown. Damage, £1,150.
Oct. 9th. Gorleston Cemetery consecrated by the Lord
Bishop of Norwich.
Oct. 19th. The Bishop of British Columbia preached at
the Parish Church. (See Nov., 1858.) It is reported
that he has now (1884) resigned the Bishopric.
Nov. 2nd. Loss of the smack “Florence and
Johanna,” and five hands, the vessel being run down on the
fishing grounds. Six other hands were drowned this day in a
gale.
Nov. 1st. The Graphic published a sketch of the
original Peggotty’s Hut in Yarmouth, which was then about
to be demolished.
The poor rate for the year was 3s. 4d.; in 1869 it was 5s.
2d.; in 1873, 4s. 4d.; and in 1877, 3s. 6d.
Nov. 5th. The “Jetty Mills,” St.
George’s Road, purchased by Mr. F. Carpenter for
£1,170, and pulled down.
Nov.
23rd. Mr. Charles Samuel Dale Steward, Parish Churchwarden
from 1848 till 1873, died, aged 77 years. A memorial window
is placed in the Parish Church to his and the late Mr.
Churchwarden Aldred’s memory. Subscriptions for this
amounted to £151 12s. 6d.
Nov. 28th. Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Warren, a
mail-coach driver, died in Row 21, at the advanced age of 104
years and 8 months.
Nov. 29th. Fire at Mr. W. S. Wigg’s, jeweller,
Regent Street.
Dec. 11th. Rev. Joseph Tongue, Primitive Methodist
Minister, received his B.A. degree at Cambridge University.
Dec. 27th. Miss Jermy, daughter of the late Recorder of
Norwich, died, and was interred in the vault at Wymondham
Churchyard, with the bodies of Isaac Jenny and his son, who were
murdered by Rush. (See Nov. 6th, 1848.)
One hundred and five vessels imported timber here in the year;
112 in 1878; and 104 in 1877.
Marriages: Feb. 20th, Mr. J. Percival Smith, son of J. C.
Smith, Esq., to Miss Eliza Jane Branch.—Aug. 20th, Rev. A.
Aldred, rector of Worlingham, to Miss M. O. Clowes.—Sept.
2nd, H. Harvey-George, Esq., to Jessie, second daughter of Robert
Hewett, Esq.
Deaths: Feb. 27th, Lieut.-Col. FitzRoy, J.P.—March 22nd,
T. W. Gooda, Esq., T.C., aged 72.—April 6th, Sir Thomas B.
Beevor, Bart., aged 81.—April 23rd, William Wright, Esq.,
architect and builder, aged 69.—May 5th, Captain J.
Emerson, harbour master, aged 62.—May 26th, Philip Pullen,
Esq., J.P., aged 87.—June 10th, Mr. W. H. Hunt, aged
72.—June 25th, Mr. James Burman, bell ringer and late
parish clerk, aged 64.—July 20th, Mary, mother of Mr. J. H.
Harrison, aged 87.
Launches: April 24th, smacks “Magpie” and
“Greyhound.”—May 27th, Mr. Morgan’s yacht
“Gnat.”—Sept. 8th, smack
“Leonard.”—Sept. 16th, fishing boat
“Promise.”
Jan. The Bure Preservation Society established.
Jan. 3rd. Schooner “Kate,” of Yarmouth,
wrecked.
Jan. 13th. Fire at Mr. Pond’s shop, King Street;
and on Jan. 30th a fire on the fishing premises of Mr. Joseph
Ellis, Middle Market Road.
Feb. 21st. Major James Henry Orde, 2nd N.R.V., of Hopton
Hall, Suffolk, son of the late General and Lady Elizabeth Orde,
died, aged 49.
March 18th. A sad accident happened in the Market
Place. Mr. Johnson’s horses, in a mourning coach, ran
away, and overtaking a walking funeral (Mrs. Thompson’s),
came in contact with the bearers, one of whom was knocked over
and the coffin thrown to the ground. Damage was also done
to some of the shops in the Butchery by the runaways.
March 20th. Fire on board the smack “Young
Harry” whilst at sea, and several fishermen injured.
April 7th. The Parliamentary Election for East Suffolk,
which includes Gorleston and Southtown, took place, and resulted
as follows:—Lord Rendlesham (C.), 4,239 votes; Colonel F.
S. N. Barne (C.), 3,620; Mr. R. L. Everett (L.), 3,502. The
two first-named were re-elected. This election cost the two
Conservative candidates £1,921 6s. each, and Mr. Everett,
£1,230 13s. 2d.
April. The first dissolution of Parliament since March
5th, 1874. Although Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., and E.
Birkbeck, Esq., were returned to Parliament for North Norfolk
without opposition, their expenses were £325 16s. 5d.,
including £87 for agency.
April 8th. Mr. T. P. George presented with a massive
marble timepiece by the teachers of St. Nicholas’ Sunday
School.
April 20th. The principal corner-stone (3 tons in
weight), of the new Town Hall and Municipal Buildings was laid by
the Mayor (C. C. Aldred, Esq.), in the presence of the
Corporation and a large number of ladies and gentlemen. The
Mayor was presented with a richly-chased silver trowel
appropriately inscribed. In the cavity of the stone was
deposited in two stone bottles, “Crisp’s
Chronological History of Yarmouth” (A.D. 46 to 1879 inclusive); Times,
April 20th; Yarmouth Independent and Gazette, April 17th;
Builder, Feb. 22nd, 1879; Building News, Sept.
27th, 1878; a sequence of coin, from a sovereign to a farthing
(exclusive of a crown and fourpenny-piece); photograph of Old
Town Hall; Council’s Committee Book and statement of date
of laying the principal stone, with the names of the Building
Committee. (See May 31st, 1882.)
April 27th. Mr. William Smith, 20 years sick steward of
the Good Samaritan Lodge (M.U.O.O.), presented with a silver
watch and gold Albert chain and appendages by the brotherhood as
a memento of esteem; and on June 15th Bro. R. Ladbroke, eight
years treasurer to the Marquis of Lorne Lodge, presented with a
marble timepiece.
May. R. Martins and S. Nightingale, jun., Esqs.,
appointed Borough Magistrates by the Lord Chancellor.
May 4th. Marriage of Mr. W. Teasdel with Alice, second
daughter of J. E. Barnby, Esq.; June 3rd, F. J. Irwin with Kate,
third daughter of Mr. Barnby; and on Oct. 12th Mr. Edgar Barnby
with Edith Mary, third daughter of the late J. W. Bunn, Esq.
May 8th. The Mayor (C. C. Aldred, Esq.) and Dr. Mayo
thrown out of a dog cart on Regent Road, caused by a runaway
horse.
May 19th to 21st. Visit to Yarmouth of the Duke of
Edinburgh, as Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Reserve, and
considerable éclat was given to the occasion.
The Duke also paid a flying visit to this town by the North
Norfolk Railway on Nov. 24th.
May 22nd. St. Nicholas’ Church broken into by
thieves.
May 25th. St. Nicholas’ change bell ringers rang,
in 1 hr. 20 min., on the eight large Parish Church bells (the
tenor 31 cwt.), 1,880 changes of Bob major, composed and
conducted by William Lee.
May 26th. A Royal sturgeon, six feet long and weighing
eleven stone, brought in by the cutter “British
Lion.”
June. The Steward memorial drinking fountain
removed to the Marine Parade.
June 15th. Mr. S. Sparrow, 14 years hon. treasurer to
Court Star of West (A.I.O.F.), presented by the brotherhood with
a silver watch, suitably inscribed.
June 17th. Opening of the new Congregational School Room
and Lecture Hall, South Howard Street. Cost, with fittings,
£3,000.
June 29th. A handsome brass-bound family Bible presented
to Bro. Spanton, 10 years auditor to the St. Nicholas’
Lodge (N.O.O.), as a memento of esteem.
June 31st. J. Worlledge, Esq., resigned his position as
County Court Judge. On Nov. 6th he was presented with an
illuminated address, with 153 signatures. He died on July
19th, 1881. T. B. Bristowe, Esq., Q.C., was appointed Judge
on July 28th.
July 1st. Captain Giles, A Company, 2nd N.R.V.,
presented with a testimonial in commemoration of his marriage by
his brother officers and privates.
July 16th. The new Drill Hall, for the 1st Norfolk
Artillery Volunteers, opened. The hall is 73 ft. by 40 ft.,
with orderly and committee rooms attached, each 17 by 13 ft.
July 20th. The first Gorleston Marine Regatta held in
the South Ham and Roadstead.
July. On the retirement of Mr. S. Swarbrick from the
office of General Manager of the Great Eastern Railway, Mr.
William Birt, many years Goods Manager, succeeded to the
post. Mr. Swarbrick was presented with a service of silver
plate, value 250 guineas, by the heads of the department.
Aug. 14th. The Yarmouth Independent permanently
enlarged. (See July 28th, 1855.)
Aug. 20th. Fire at Messrs. R. and A. Brown’s
fishing premises, Friar’s Lane.
Sept. Mr. E. Hawkins resigned the management of the
Southtown Tramway, and was succeeded by Mr. George Wright.
Sept. 3rd. The mail steamer “Grantully
Castle” passed outside the sands on a voyage from Leith to
Gravesend, having on board the Hon. William E. Gladstone
and family. About 50 Yarmouth gentlemen went out in the tug
“Meteor” to present him with an address of
congratulation upon his convalescence.
Sept. Part of the original MSS. of
“Swinden’s History of Yarmouth” and
“Manship’s History” purchased by T. P.
Burroughs, Esq., F.S.A. (See 1772).
Sept. 18th. The old wooden Grand Stand on the South
Denes totally destroyed by fire.
Oct. 2nd. The three-masted schooner
“Curlew,” with her captain and four of the crew, lost
off Yarmouth, the result of a collision.
Oct. 4th. Heavy gale and loss of the lugger
“Ebenezer” on the South Beach. About £400
worth of damage done to South Pier. On the 29th there was
another gale, and many men injured and drowned at sea as well as
great destruction of fishing property. The Yarmouth
schooners “John Snell” and “Isis”
lost. The smacks “Expert,” “Luna,”
“Mystery,” “Harry,” and
“Defiance” each lost six hands. The Swedish
barque “Systers,” which came into port after the gale
in a wretched state of dilapidation, was the best criterion of
what she had encountered. The “Systers” was
valued at £927 14s. 1d., and salvors were awarded
£384. She was sold in London on Feb. 1st, for
£295.
Oct. 7th. The wine and spirit stores and building site
of Messrs. S. Grimmer and Co., at the south-east corner of Regent
Street, sold by auction, and realized £5,300, but was
afterwards re-sold to Mr. Bayfield by private contract.
Oct. 15th. The resident Inspector at the Vauxhall
Station (Mr. Reeve) run over by a train and killed.
Oct. 18th. The Rev. R. Nicholson, founder of the
Boys’ and Girls’ Homes, presented with a public
subscription (£61) prior to leaving the town.
Oct. 18th. A petty juryman fined £5 for refusing
to appear at the Quarter Sessions when summoned.
Oct. 24th. Great communion at the Parish Church, and
1,102 persons partook of the Sacrament this day.
Oct.
30th. A lad named Charles Meffin (15) fell from the inner
scaffolding at the new Town Hall (26 ft.), and died from injuries
received.
Oct. Cornelius Harley Christmas, a native of this town,
whose property was sworn under £60,000, willed
£15,800 to the poor of Great Yarmouth for ever, the
yearly interest of which was upwards of £770, which sum was
to be divided and spent every year, the week before Christmas, in
coal, bread, and money. The £770 was reduced by other
expenses to £696, viz., £199 for bread, £398
for coal, and £99 in money, to be distributed in wards,
namely, North and South Wards each £100 coal, £50
bread, and £24 in money; Market, Regent, and St.
George’s each £66 coal, £33 bread, and
£17 in money. Not more than 2 cwt. of coal, 1s. in
bread, and 1s. to 2s. in money, to be given to one house.
But “if difficulties arose through litigation, the property
to be realised, and the money to be distributed among the poor of
Yarmouth, not more than £20 to occupier of each
house.” This year nearly 8,000 cwts. of coal, 16,000
loaves, and more than £100 in money was distributed among
6,000 families, but Mr. Christmas’ death occurring
afterwards (see Feb. 4th, 1881) the gift was passed into
Chancery, and the poor will have to wait its resuscitation before
they get further aid. Other charities were to be
benefited. (See Feb. 4th, 1881).
Nov. 4th. Several uproarious meetings of the Board of
Guardians commenced, relative to the election of a registrar of
births and deaths for the South District.
Nov. 8th. First burial in Yarmouth under the New Burial
Law; and on Dec. 27th, the first Nonconformist was buried in the
churchyard without the rite of the Church of England.
Nov. 6th. Mr. B. Press elected as an Alderman in place
of Mr. P. Case, resigned.
Nov. The beautifully-carved pulpit (designed by the
Vicar) in the Parish Church finished. It cost £579
14s., and was 3½ years in making.
Nov. 25th. Mr. Waters presented with a marble timepiece
by the senior members of St. James’ choir.
Dec.
23rd. That “a cat has nine lives” was partly
verified by the fact that a feline was accidentally nailed under
the floor at 47, South Quay, for three weeks without food, and
was taken out alive.
Dec. 25th. The dead body of a woman named Harriet
Parsons (60), of Norwich, found on Yarmouth Beach. Her
husband left her for 27 years, and she, believing him dead, in
the interval married again; and her first husband’s return
home is supposed to have caused her to commit suicide.
Dec. 26th. Mr. H. T. Stonex ordained by the Bishop of
Bath and Wells, and licensed to a curacy at Taunton.
Launches: Jan., smack “Nellie”; Jan. 28th, smack
“Silver Dart”; May 3rd, smacks “Busy Bee”
and “Edith Mary”; May 10th, smack
“Greenheys”; Sept. 27th, smack “Francis”;
Nov. 6th, fish carrier “Bessie”; Nov. 22nd, cutter
“Phœnix.”
Marriages: March 31st, Rev. G. Merriman, of Martham, to Miss
E. S. Steward; May 20th, Mr. G. W. Giles to Miss A. E. L. Blake;
June 8th, R. E. Pinhey, Esq., to Emily Gertrude, eldest daughter
of F. Palmer, Esq., J.P.; Oct. 21st, Mr. E. H. Morgan to Miss E.
K. Press, of Southtown.
Deaths: Feb. 5th, Mr. Marcus John Grimmer, aged 63; Feb. 23rd,
Mr. Thos. Todd, boatowner, aged 52; March 11th, Mr. Walter J.
Lincoln, Town Hall keeper, aged 48; March 13th, Mr. Geo.
Hastings, boat builder; May 28th, Wm. Danby Palmer, Esq., of
Southtown, aged 46, June, Daniel Gurney, Esq., at North Runcton,
aged 89; July 1st, Arthur G. W. Neale, B.A., aged 23; Aug.
27th. Hezekiah Martin, Esq., aged 86; Sept. 22nd, Mr. Wm.
Hewke, many years head master at the Hospital School, aged 68;
Oct. 19th, John Wilton Shelly, J.P., aged 70; Oct. 21st, Dr. J.
Baily, aged 74; Dec., Frank Buckland, Esq., H.M’s.
Inspector of Fisheries, aged 54.
Jan. 6th. Mr. W. H. Willis, boat owner of Gorleston,
presented with a handsome timepiece by the Pilot Lodge
(M.U.O.O.), of which he was hon. sec.
Jan. The Local Government Board consented to lend
the Corporation £2,000 for wood and concrete pavements, the
money spent in wood to be refunded in 15 years, and that for
concreting in 20 years.
Jan. New Coastguard House on Gorleston Pier erected.
Jan. 7th. Mr. Robert Warner’s sail and net stores
at Gorleston destroyed by fire; damage about £3,500; and on
Jan. 26th a large fire at Mr. C. Seiver’s net chamber, at
Gorleston. March 28th, one occurred at Mr. T.
Gallant’s, “William the IV.” public house,
Gorleston.
Jan. 11th. The North End Mission Room opened.
Jan. 11th. A large gallery in the north-west aisle of
St. Nicholas’ Church removed.
Jan. 17th. Mr. C. H. Wiltshire elected an Alderman in
the place of the late Mr. R. S. Watling.
Jan. 18th. One of the worst gales experienced in the
present generation, when six out of a crew of nine brave beachmen
and a volunteer lost their lives by the upsetting of the surf
lifeboat “Abraham Thomas” whilst trying to rescue the
mate of the schooner “Guiding Star” (Thomas Jones),
whose vessel was stranded on the South Beach, opposite the
Asylum. Jones was also lost out of the lifeboat.
Highway traffic and the Great Eastern Railway was blocked for 24
hours. About 50 lives were lost off this coast.
Besides the “Guiding Star,” the schooners
“Rhoda,” and “Sarah Jane,” the French
ketch “Manne du Ciel,” and the brig “Battle of
Corunna” were driven ashore, and from the last-named, in
the South Ham, seven hands, including a woman, were
drowned. The names of the men in the lifeboat who were
drowned were J. Ditcham (30), H. Masterson (15), J. Sherwood
(44), Robert Symonds (37), Charles Henry Beckett (21), and
William Green (whose body was not recovered), leaving 4 widows
and 22 children. On the day of the interment (24th)
thousands of people filled the Parish Church, and lined the route
to the New Cemetery. At the funeral service the organ
played the “Dead March” in Samson, and the
Mayoress (Mrs. T. B. Steward) placed a beautiful floral wreath upon each
of the coffins before they entered the church. The funeral
cortège comprised five separate hearses, and
thirteen mourning coaches with the relatives. The
subscriptions raised for the relief of the widows and orphans
reached over £3,000. The four survivors among the
lifeboat men were W. Haylett, coxswain, W. Davey, R. Brown, and
W. P. Smith.
Jan. Mr. W. G. Poll, of Yarmouth, and Mr. A. E.
Richmond, of Southtown, passed their preliminary examinations of
the Pharmaceutical Society.
Feb. 4th. Mr. C. H. Christmas died at Yarmouth, aged 86
years. (See Oct., 1880.)
Feb. Mr. W. H. Cowl, solicitor, awarded the special
prizes of the “Timphron Martin” and “John
Atkinson” gold medals for 1880.
Feb. 11th. The stoker on board the steam tug
“Victoria,” Robert Jackman (46), accidentally killed
after towing the Norwegian steamer “Norma” (652 tons
register) on to Gorleston beach the day before, where she became
a total wreck.
Feb. 11th. School Board Election. The following
candidates were returned:—Messrs. Palgrave, Peaton, Moxon,
Johnson, Dowson, Waters, Worlledge, Leach (Mrs.), Bately, Splain,
and Tomkins. (See Feb., 1875.)
Feb. 12th. Marriage of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, with
W. Ashmead Bartlett, Esq., in London.
March. A fine shark, 7 ft. long, brought to the
Fishwharf.
March 5th. Total loss of the Yarmouth schooner
“Princess Royal” and all hands.
March 14th. Charles Crawshaw Wilkinson, inventor of the
perforated stamp sheets, died at Yarmouth, aged 79 years.
(See 1850.)
April. Lieut.-Col. Sir E. Lacon resigned his commission
in the 2nd East Norfolk Militia, but retains the rank of hon.
colonel.
April 18th to May 7th. The first National Fisheries
Exhibition at Norwich, and many contributions were sent from
Yarmouth.
April. The census of Yarmouth and Gorleston taken
by 22 enumerators. Population of the Borough, 44,782,
including 8,903 in Gorleston and Southtown, viz., 24,447 females
and 20,335 males (many men at sea not included). Number of
houses and buildings, 10,098. The increase on the past ten
years was 7,009.
April 19th. The intelligence of the death this day of
Earl Beaconsfield, in his 76th year, was received here with
manifestations of sorrow. The very first flag hoisted on
the New Town Hall, was half-mast, and that in respect to the
memory of the deceased. This day is now known as
“Primrose Day,” when the primrose is extensively used
as a button-hole throughout the nation.
April 19th. The Rev. Bowyer Vaux, M.A., presented with a
massive chased silver tea tray, together with an address on
vellum, by the congregation of St. Peter’s Church, as a
token of esteem, he having been minister there for 35 years.
April 28th. Opening of the New Organ at the
Temple. It was built by Mr. W. C. Mack, of this town.
May 1st. Boat accident on Breydon, when William
Hawkins. John McPhee, and Louis Feekins lost their lives by
being drowned.
May 5th. Inspector Brogden elected Chief Constable for
the Borough on the resignation of Mr. Joseph Ogden.
May 7th. Col.-Sergt. Fenton, E.N.M., presented with a
silver cup by his late Captain, Major Lacon, for efficient
services.
May 11th. The new Northgate Board Schools, in Ramp Row,
opened. The site is 195 ft. by 150 ft., and the buildings,
of red brick, set in dark mortar joints, are of a Gothic
character. They cost, with fittings, legal expenses,
&c., £5,660, and will accommodate 610 children.
May. On the removal of Mr. J. W. Keogh, collector of
Customs at this port, Mr. J. Robertson was promoted to
Yarmouth.
June
8th. The magnificent three-mast steam yacht
“Northumbria,” 456 tons, belonging to Lord Lonsdale,
came into harbour, and was inspected by the Prince of
Wales. Her crew comprised 25 hands.
June 9th to 11th. The third visit to Yarmouth of H.R.H.
the Prince of Wales, who was joined here by H.R.H. the Duke of
Cambridge, K.G., and other distinguished visitors. (See
June 6th, 1882.)
June 10th. The Rev. E. C. Kemp, M.A., Incumbent of St.
George’s Chapel, died at Yarmouth, aged 87. Dr. J. J.
Raven, head master of the Grammar School, succeeded him as
minister.
June 18th. W. Brewer’s Spanish bitch had a litter
of 11 pups, and the previous Nov. she had 12, making 28 in 8
months.
June 18th. E. A. Ducket and F. H. S. Raven took their
B.A. degrees at Cambridge.
June. The Lord Chancellor of England appointed Francis
Roxburgh, Esq., Q.C., to be the Judge of the County Courts of the
district, in place of S. B. Bristowe, Esq., Q.C.,
transferred.
June 18th. The smack “Excellent” lost on the
Dutch coast.
June 27th. Isaac Hill, T. Saul, L. Blake, and A. Palmer,
Esqs., took the oath as Borough Magistrates.
July. Mr. C. J. Wiltshire, son of C. H. Wiltshire, Esq.,
passed the intermediate examination of the Law Society.
July 9th. Review of nearly 60,000 Volunteers in Windsor
Park by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
Eleven officers and 309 men of the Yarmouth Corps attended.
The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Sir Garnet
Wolseley, and others rode down the lines.
July 12th. New Grand Stand, South Denes, first
opened. (See Sept. 18th, 1880.)
July 14th. The wife of Mr. A. E. Blagg, Market Row,
unfortunately knocked down and killed by a railway truck while
passing over the level crossing on the Southtown Road.
July
19th. John Worlledge, Esq., late County Court Judge, died
at Brooklyn, Ipswich, aged 72 years. (See June 31st,
1880.)
July 19th. The Duke of Argyle and Admiral Hamilton
landed here from the Trinity yacht “Galatea.”
July 23rd. Another fire at Mr. R. Kemp’s premises
at Gorleston, and damage estimated at £2,000; also on Dec.
8th (the sixth) on fishing premises.
July. The new valuation lists completed, and the town
re-assessed, much to the dissatisfaction of many
ratepayers. Oct. 3rd. Messrs. Lacons’ brewery
assessed at £2,100 gross, on an estimated rental of
£1,400. The brewery occupies la. 0r. 25p. On an
appeal before the Recorder in June, 1882, these sums were
reduced.
July. Mr. A. E. Gunton passed his preliminary
examination in Pharmacy.
July 28th. Mr. Thos. Womack Branford, boat builder and
inventor of a plan for speedily launching a boat from a
ship’s deck, died at Burgh, aged 72 years.
July 28th. Mr. A. W. Morant died at Leeds, aged 53
years. (See March, 1856.)
Aug. 22nd. The Market tolls let by auction for five
years to Mr. Percy, of London, at £970 per annum.
They had let hitherto for £925 a year.
Sept. 17th. A viper, 25 inches long, killed at Caister,
and found to have a common rat in its stomach.
Sept. 22nd. Captain Brown, 2nd N.R.V., presented with a
handsome marble and bronze clock and a pair of bronzes to match,
as a memento of esteem on his retirement from the corps.
Sept. 22nd. Rev. C. M. Hardy, B.A., ordained the
minister of the Park Baptist Chapel in place of Rev. W.
Vincent.
Sept. 29th. Mr. W. P. Creak, T.C., presented with a
silver épergne by the teachers and officers of the Free
Church Sunday School.
Oct. 9th. St. Nicholas’ Church again broken into,
and the contents of the collection boxes rifled. (See May
22nd, 1880.)
Oct.
14th. Heavy gale, great destruction of property, and about
120 men and boys lost at sea. Nov. 26th we were visited
with another gale.
Oct. The Town Council discussed the advisability of
raising £30,000 by shares for carrying out a new dock
scheme.
Oct. 31st. The Royal Aquarium put up to public auction,
but withdrawn. It was subsequently purchased for
£5,000 by Messrs. F. Carpenter, William Barnard, S. Gunton,
and O. Diver. (See July 2nd, 1883.)
Nov. 11th. The s.s. “Fairy,” plying between
this port and the Tyne, sunk off Flamborough Head, the result of
a collision.
Nov. A challenge trophy provided for the 1st
N.A.V. It is an excellent model, value 50 guineas,
representing a 64-pounder M.L.R. gun on a temporary sleigh.
(See Challenge cup, 1883.)
Nov. A mackerel, 20 in. long, 10½ in. girth, and
weighing 2¾ lbs., and another 17 inches long, brought in
from sea.
Dec. 10th. Fire on board the fishing boat
“Eureka” at the Fish Wharf, causing the death of one
of the crew.
Dec. The wife of Police-constable Allcock gave birth to
triplets.
Dec. 29th. Edward Killington, formerly of this town,
died in London, and bequeathed £1,000 to St. John’s
Church, £500 to Sailors’ Home, £300 to Yarmouth
Hospital, and £100 to National Lifeboat Institution.
The Great Eastern Railway conveyed in 1881 more fish inland
than any other line, viz., 60,314 tons, and this town, among the
ports it serves, provided the largest supply. By rail from
Yarmouth, 32,696 tons; in 1879, 28,263; and in 1880,
31,238. In 1881, Lowestoft sent 23,019 tons.
Launches: Jan. 4th, smack “Serapis;” March 14th,
the fishing boats “Young Florence” and the
“William;” Aug. 2nd, the cutter
“Gorleston;” Sept. 5th, smack
“Success.”
Marriages: July 13th, James Hurry, son of the late
Nathaniel Palmer, Esq., to Miss Ellen Boardman, of
Stratford.—July 19th, Rev. D. W. Evans to Miss Alice Graham
Lacon.—Oct. 4th, Edward P., son of P. E. Back, Esq., to
Miss Ellen R. Shales.
Deaths: Jan. 5th, R. S. Watling, Esq., J.P., aged
70.—March 16th, Herr A. S. Dorla, bandmaster of the
P.W.O. Artillery Militia, aged 61.—April 15th,
Charles Venables, brother of the Vicar of Yarmouth, at Taplow,
aged 61.—April 17th, Eliza, wife of K. Harvey, Esq., and
daughter of the late Sir Edward K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., at Bath,
aged 75.—April 19th, Judith, wife of James Hurry Palmer,
Esq., aged 62.—Oct. 10th, Harriet, widow of the late Graham
Lacon, Esq.—Nov. 12th, Mr. H. Hunt, watchmaker, Broad Row,
aged 87.
Jan. 2nd. Mr. Henry H. Baker, town surveyor for nearly
20 years, died, aged 52 years. He succeeded Mr. Morant on
his resignation in Nov., 1864. On Feb. 14th, Mr. J. W.
Cockrill was appointed town surveyor.
Jan. 9th. First annual tea given to 600 aged poor people
at the Drill Hall, inaugurated by Mr. T. C. Foreman.
Jan. 30th. James Hall, better known as
“Jigger” Hall, died in the workhouse. He was
one put upon his trial with Mapes and Royal for the murder of
Mrs. Chandler, and acquitted. Hall was the last survivor of
the accused. (See Nov. 18th, 1844.)
Jan. 31st. Silver wedding day of Mr. C. Woolverton
celebrated by a dinner to his workpeople.
Feb. 18th. Rev. G. Venables, S.C.L., vicar of Yarmouth,
was collated and instituted by the Bishop of Norwich to the
office or place of an Honorary Canon in the Cathedral Church at
Norwich, vacant by the death of the Rev. W. F. Patteson.
Feb. 28th. Loss of the steamer “Livadia”
(1,447 tons) on the Middle Cross Sands, and 24 of her crew
drowned, the boatman (Thomas Sewell, brother of the captain of
the local tug “United Service”) being the only
survivor, who was bravely rescued by the Gorleston
Volunteer Lifeboat “Revenge.” A subscription
was made for the 14 lifeboatmen by Mrs. Bowler, who gave them
each one guinea, and the National Institution awarded
£20. On March 12th, a lifeboat, marked
“Livadia,” was picked up in the North Sea with three
dead bodies in it.
March 2nd. Hannah Sarah, relict of the late T.
Brightwen, Esq., died at Fritton, aged 73 years.
Deceased’s personal estate was sworn under
£50,000. She bequeathed £6,000 to the perpetual
endowments of St. Andrew’s and St. James’ Churches;
£500 to the Yarmouth Hospital, and numerous legacies to
friends and dependants.
March. A leather bag, containing cheques and documents,
value £6,000, dredged up at sea by the smack
“Nelson,” of this port. The bag was lost out of
the steamer “Annie Arbib,” which foundered in the
North Sea in Nov., 1881.
March 6th. A “scene” in the Police Court
over the appeals against the Poor-rate. Six magistrates
left the Bench, and a “warm discussion” ensued.
March. E. W. Worlledge, Esq., appointed by the Lord
Chancellor to be a Commissioner to administer oaths in the
Supreme Court of Judicature.
March. Mr. F. E. Bowler presented with a handsome
timepiece and an illuminated address by the assistants in Messrs.
Chamberlins and Co.’s establishment, as a token of esteem
on his 50th birthday.
March 31st. The Rev. A. R. Abbott, B.A., instituted to
the vicarage and parish church of Gorleston and Southtown, on his
own petition.
April 3rd. Fire in Mr. S. Randell’s stock room,
Market Row. Damage about £30.
April 29th. Heavy gale, which played sad havoc among the
fishing craft, those entirely lost with all hands including the
“Jester,” “Phœnix,” and
“Olive Leaf.”
April. Mr. A. Linder, of this town, chosen pier-master
at Skegness, out of 76 candidates. On May 5th he was
presented with a purse of £18 13s., as a mark of respect by
the patrons of the Wellington Pier.
May
9th. The Town Council moved addresses of congratulation to
the Duke and Duchess of Albany on their marriage on April 27th;
and congratulation to the Queen.
May 18th. The Wellington Pier sold by auction to Mr.
Chappell for £890, but through some discrepancy in the
transfer the bid was withdrawn.
May 18th. Launch at Southtown of a new iron paddle boat,
100 ft. long, breadth 14 ft. 2 in., depth 7 ft., and owned by Mr.
R. J. Blyth. It was built by Mr. H. E. Wright, Yare-side
Iron Works, and Miss Wright christened it
“Jumbo.”
May 30th. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales paid a fourth visit
to this town, and left on June 2nd.
May 31st. Opening of the New Town Hall and Municipal
Buildings by the Prince of Wales, the ceremony being on a very
grand scale. Three hundred and fifty guests were invited to
the déjeuner, including the Mayor of Yarmouth and
the Lord Mayor of London, Lords Aylesford, Suffield, Rendlesham,
and Carpington; Sir H. Clifford, Sir E. Lacon, Sir H.
Bedingfield, Sir R. J. Buxton, Sir T. Boileau, Sir T. Beevor,
Admiral Sir H. Keppel, Colonel Teesdale, E. Birkbeck, Esq.,
&c. In the evening there a grand display of fireworks
on the Britannia Pier. The Hall was designed by J. B.
Pearce, Esq., and the contractors Messrs. J. W. Lacey, of
Norwich. The total cost was £35,764, as
follows:—Building contract, £26,200; extras on
building, new works, and fittings, £4,442 11s. 1d.;
architect’s commission, £1,705 10s. 9d.; Clerk of
Works, £417 5s.; Norman and Son, furniture and fittings,
£1,177 7s. 9d.; Mr. Finch, ditto, £592 1s. 5d.;
Chamberlins and Co., linoleum, £351 9s.; Aldred and Son,
clock, £361 15s.; Mr. Keable, blinds, £26 15s. 3d.;
Ellis and Son, mats, £22 15s. 10d.; decorations, opening
ceremony, £28; premiums on designs for Town Hall,
£70; foundation stone and the laying, £46 5s. 1d.;
expenses of opening ceremony, £38 9s. 4d.; travelling
expenses to inspect other Town Halls, £29 5s. 4d.;
solicitor to H.M.’s Treasury, £17 6s. 10d.;
miscellaneous charges and expenses, £239 14s. 6d.
(See April 20th, 1880.)
May
31st. John Mooring, captain of the maintop of H.M.S.
“Thunderer,” at the Battle of Trafalgar, died at the
Yarmouth Naval Hospital, aged 102 years.
May. The Union Railway, from the Beach Station to the
North Quay, completed.
May. Surgeon-Major C. C. Aldred resigned after 29 years
his commission in the 2nd Brigade (E.D.) Royal Artillery.
On April 24th, 1883, Mr. Aldred was presented with a pair of
silver cups, on which was inscribed:—“Presented to
Surgeon-Major Aldred, on his retirement from the regiment, by
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, K.G., and the officers who have
served and are serving in the P.W.O. Norfolk Artillery
Militia.” (See June 28th, 1884.)
May. Capt. Combe, promoted to the rank of Major in the
2nd Norfolk Rifle Corps.
May. Count Bismarck, son of Prince Bismarck, visited
Yarmouth.
June 7th. Thos. George Wooden (15) died through being
crashed by the buffer of a railway carriage at the Southtown
Station.
July 17th. Mr. S. J. B. Batchelder, hon. sec. of Court
Star of West (A.O.F.), presented with a marble clock and an
illuminated list of subscribers for several years good
service.
July 25th. Mr. J. T. Waters, ten years choir master of
St. James’ Church, presented with a handsome silver keyless
chronometer.
July 27th. Sham fight between 2,000 men belonging to the
Royal Naval Reserves, 1st Norfolk Artillery, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th Norfolk Rifles on the North Denes, in the presence of
2,000 or 3,000 people.
Aug. 18th. John Bracey, Esq., J.P., T.C., whilst out
celebrating his 52nd birthday, with his family, at Fritton, died
suddenly. On Dec. 13th, the mother of the above, and wife
of J. T. Bracey, Esq., died, aged 68. (See April 19th,
1859.)
Sept. 5th. The Army and Navy Tavern, Blackfriars’
Road, sold by auction for £2,100, and £68
fixtures.
Sept.
5th. Commander Parker, R.N., presented with a handsome
silver and polished oak salad bowl as a mark of esteem by the
Caister Life-Saving Volunteer Corps; and on Sept. 23rd, the
Gorleston L.S.V.C. gave him a marble timepiece and bronze
ornaments; and Commander Parker presented the chief officer with
a beautiful clock, and chief boatman Bridgeland with a book,
“The World of Wit and Humour.”
Sept. 29th. £11,247 8s. 8d. had been expended on
the Gorleston Spur Breakwater. £6,000 more required
to complete the work.
Sept. 30th. This being the eve of the 88th birthday of
the veteran ringer, Thomas Gooch, a merry peal was rung on the
Parish Church bells. (See Aug. 27th, 1883.)
Sept. The council decided to allow the Tolhouse Hall to
be retained by the Archæological Society, as a monument of
antiquity, and the trustees subsequently accepted Mr. R.
Davy’s contract (£485) for its restoration.
Oct. 3rd. St. John’s Church organ, after being
enlarged and renovated by Mr. W. C. Mack, was opened. It
has two manuals CC to F 54 notes, and pedal CCC to F 30 notes; 18
stops and 726 pipes, viz.:—Great organ, 408 pipes, swell,
288, and pedal, 30. The anchor lashed to a cross on the
front panel of the case was designed by Mr. Chas. Harrison (a
local artist of wide-spread popularity), and carved by Mr.
Homes.
Oct. 10th and 11th. Board of Trade Fisheries Enquiry at
the Town Hall, by Messrs. C. M. Norwood, M.P., E. Birkbeck, M.P.,
E. Heneage, M.P., Alderman Leak (Mayor of Hull), and T. Gray,
sec. of the Marine Department.
Oct. 11th. St. George’s Chapel re-opened after
extensive renovation, inside and out, at a total cost of
£1,700.
Oct. 20th. Mr. G. R. Ceiley rewarded by the Humane
Society for bravely saving the lives of James Simonds at
Yarmouth, and four persons at Lowestoft.
Oct. 23rd. Cabmen’s shelter placed on the Hall
Quay.
Oct.
24th. Heavy gale. Loss of the lugger “Edward
and Ellen,” smack “Nancy,” the Yarmouth
brigantine “Let me Alone,” and ketch
“Hannah.”
Oct. 26th. The wife of Capt. Bunn presented with an
elegant silver épergne, as a wedding present, by the A
Company Rifle Volunteers, out of respect to their captain.
Oct. 28th. Gale of great severity, and another on Nov.
14th, when the brig “Kettland” came ashore on the
South Beach, and great bravery was displayed by the Gorleston
lifeboat, and also Mr. Lloyd, Inspector of Naval Reserve, in
rescuing the crew. Commander Poynder presented Lloyd with
two medals. Fifty fishermen were lost during the late
gales, together with the fishing dandies “Sceptre,”
“Silver Streak,” “Children’s
Friend,” “Ich Dien,” &c., leaving 14 widows
and 44 orphans.
In Yarmouth there are 621 fishing boats, 333 being smacks and
the remainder luggers; their value is £372,000, and their
nets and gear, £100,000 more. Their owners number
498, and crews 5,160. Scotch boats 800, and 120 smacks from
Gorleston. Value of fish caught by trawlers of this port,
£325,000. Number of herrings caught in five years,
71,458 lasts, which at an average of £10 a last gives a
total of £714,580. The Corporation had up to date
spent £34,916 in building the fishwharf, offices, &c.,
which latter let for £1,438 a year. Trawl fish caught
in 1877, 11,863 packages; 1878, 39,508; 1879, 31,072; 1880,
28,400; 1881, 24,003. The dues were as follows:—In
1877, £1,574 on herring, and £59 on trawl fish; 1878,
£846 herring, £164 trawl; 1879, £978 herring,
£129 trawl; 1880, £1,163 herring, £118 trawl,
1881, £1,393 herring, and £100 trawl.
Nov. 11th. Mrs. Harriet Vade, wife of R. H. V. Walpole,
of Yarmouth, and Suffolk Hall, Cheltenham, died.
Nov. £3,349 14s. 4d. spent about the erection and
fittings of new nave of St. James’ Church.
Nov. 20th. The steamtug “Andrew Woodhouse”
sold for £90.
Nov.
21st. J. C. Smith, Esq., elected Alderman of the Borough in
place of the late Wm. Worship, Esq. Seventeen voted for Mr.
Smith, and 11 for Mr. E. Worlledge.
Oct. 20th. The Swedish man-of-war frigate
“Vanadis,” in the Roadstead; and on 26th, German
war-ship “Leipzic,” 16 guns and 483 men.
Oct. 23rd. Fires at Mrs. Rigg’s wool shop, St.
Peter’s Row, E; Nov. 16th at Mr. Jas. Ayers’
fishing premises, S. Market Road; Nov. 23rd, at Mr. H.
Fenner’s, steam tannery works, S. Denes Road; Nov. 24th at
Mr. Wigg’s jewellery shop, Regent Street; Dec. 10th, the
net chamber of Mr. Hellenburgh, Ordnance Road; and at Mr. G. B.
Palmer’s, Market Place.
Nov. 9th. Mr. F. Arnold presented with an elaborate
salad bowl and pair of silver ladles on the opening of the Park
Young Men’s Institute.
Nov. Rev. E. Venables appointed to the church and
district of St. John’s the Evangelist, Drury Lane,
London.
Nov. 12th. Wm. Worship, Esq., solicitor, died at
Ormesby, aged 70 years. £1,000 was subsequently
subscribed by the town for the founding of a scholarship at the
Yarmouth Grammar School to perpetuate his memory.
The fishing smack “John Cooper” sunk by a steamer,
and one man drowned.
1,028 lbs. 13 ozs. of tobacco (value £284 8s. 9d.)
smuggled into Yarmouth during the year.
This year 99,422 coins were collected for various objects in
the Parish Church, viz., 36,816 half-pence, 36,817 pennies,
10,756 threepenny pieces, 300 fourpenny pieces, 9,872 sixpences,
4,061 shillings, 412 florins, 289 half-crowns, nil crowns,
68 half-sovereigns, 28 sovereigns, and three notes. Total
amount, £1,038 14s. 7d.
One thousand eight hundred and fifty plaints entered in the
County Court for sums amounting to £10,639. In 1881,
2,591 plaints for £12,967.
Launches: March 7th, a steam launch launched from the
Yare-side Iron Works; March 30th, smack “Morning
Star”; July 4th, fishing boat “Muscotte.”
Marriages: Feb. 28th, Alexander Mitchell, Esq., M.D., to Ellen
Eugénie Ramsdale, of E. Dereham; April 10th, Mr. W. H.
Kempton, of London, to Miss H. M. Gamble; Mr. E. S. Brown to Miss
A. M. Ulph, in London; April 6th, Mr. T. Ambrose Palmer to Miss
E. J. Sheewan; June 8th, Mr. F. H. Smith, of Bradwell, to Miss
Grace Dendy, of Gorleston.
Deaths: Jan., Henry B. Thompson, serjeant-at-mace and bellman,
aged 65; March 25th, Caroline Louisa Bartlett, widow of Capt. H.
J. Lacon, R.N., at Ipswich; March 31st, Mr. W. A. Hardingham, 45
years in the service of Messrs. Grout and Co., aged 59; May 4th,
Mr. R. Dumbleton, ex-Town Councillor, aged 63; May 18th, Mr. W.
R. P. Dick, senior cashier at Messrs. Lacon’s Bank, aged
50; Aug. 12th, Mr. John Clowes, grocer, aged 73; Sept. 24th,
Chas. John Palmer, Esq., F.S.A., aged 78; Dec. 17th, Wm. Johnson,
Esq., J.P., at Caister, aged 82.
Jan. 2nd. Frederick Redgrave (8), of Row 122, fell under
the wheels of a railway truck on South Quay, and both his legs
had to be amputated. £52 9s. 9d. was collected for his
benefit.
Jan. Mr. Fisher’s smack “Reindeer”
lost.
Jan. 23rd. Schooners “Jim Crow” and
“Try,” of this port, stranded and became total
wrecks.
Jan. 24th. Mr. James Brown, Beach Station Master,
presented by the staff employed on the railway, with a
silver-mounted inkstand and pencil case, on his birthday.
Jan. 24th. Very low tide, the water being 3 ft. 10 in.
below zero, and 6 ft. 2 in. on the bar.
Jan. 25th. St. Paul’s Mission Church opened.
Feb. Mr. R. S. C. Keymer appointed organist of Gorleston
Church.
Feb. A pike, weighing 20 lbs., caught at Horsey
Mere.
Feb. Mr. F. W. Rolfe, organist, presented with a
handsome timepiece by the choir of St. Peter’s Church.
March
1st. The upper and lower ferries let by auction for five
years to Mr. A. Green, at the annual rent of £780, viz.,
lower, £410; upper (with cottage), £370.
March 6th. Heavy gale and high tide, the drive being
inundated, and some of the boats “moored” at the lamp
posts. Part of the Jetty was torn up, and “Uncle
Tom’s Cabin,” under the Britannia Pier, made a
complete wreck. The water was 21 or 22 ft. on the bar, and
there was a flood tide in the harbour for 21 hours. Several
trawlers were lost, including the “Musquito,”
“Sea Flower,” “Clarence,”
“Reaper,” and “Muscotte,” and 36 lives,
leaving 15 widows and 16 children. £132 19s. 8d. was
contributed by the Mansion House Fund. Mr. W. P.
Brown’s brig “Mary” was lost on the following
day with her crew.
March 11th. Major John Gillespie, 31st Brigade
Depôt, died, and on 15th was buried with grand military
honours in the Cemetery. About 500 of the military and 50
officers were present. Three military bands (including 9th
from Colchester, 54), played at intervals, and thousands of
civilians lined the streets.
March 12th. New Railway line from Yarmouth to Acle
opened for traffic.
March 22nd. The iron gates leading to the Parish Church
knocked down by a horse.
March 24th. The three-masted schooner
“Orienten” (6,500 deals), stranded south of
Wellington Pier.
April 5th. The property of the Earl of Lichfield at
Southtown (26 lots, including the “Nine Houses”)
sold, by auction for £10,699.
April. Mr. George Dowey, station master (G.E.R.),
resigned his position after 25 years’ service, and on Oct.
25th was presented with £100 by 150 subscribers.
April 26th. Lord Suffield presented Bat.-Sergt. Major
Quince with a clasp from the Royal Humane Society, and Mr. G.
Ceiley with a bronze medal for their bravery in saving lives.
April 28th. James Sutton (64), gate-keeper at a level
crossing on the Eastern and Midlands Railway near Hemsby, knocked
down by a goods train and killed, while in the act of opening the
gates at 9.20 p.m.
April. The Great Yarmouth Yacht Club
established.
May 3rd. An elegant liqueur stand with three glasses
presented to Mr. H. Pechey, at the Aquarium, by the Winter
Assembly Class.
May 5th. Smack “Falcon,” on the North Sand,
and crew bravely rescued by the Gorleston National lifeboat
crew.
May 12th. The International Fisheries Exhibition in
London opened by the Prince of Wales, E. Birkbeck, Esq., M.P., as
president, taking especial interest in the show. Many
exhibits were contributed by local gentlemen. Exhibition
closed Oct. 31st, 2,703,051 persons, exclusive of 20,000 on the
opening day, having visited it during the season.
May 18th. Mr. E. W. Worlledge elected as Alderman in
place of the late Mr. J. T. Bracey.
May 19th. A handsome timepiece presented by Major Dods
and officers and men of the Gorleston Coastguard to Chief-boatman
Bridgeland.
May 20th. Rev. E. A. Ducket, B.A., ordained at Wells
Cathedral, and licensed to a Curacy at Tiverton-on-Avon.
May. Regent Street paved with blocks of wood, and
afterwards a part of King Street.
May 31st. Sergt.-Major Williams, 18 years drill sergeant
in 2nd N.R.V., presented with an illuminated address and
£35 on his retirement.
May 31st. About 30 yards of palisading and wall on the
west side of the churchyard fell down.
June 2nd. Gas explosion in Apsley Terrace. The
windows, doors, &c., were completely shattered, and Mr.
Rushmer, who entered the drawing room with a lighted candle, was
severely injured.
June 5th. Mr. James Ling, relieving officer of
Gorleston, appointed registrar of births and deaths in place of
the late Dr. Arnott.
June 6th. Mr. Robert Lane, 15 years lessee of the
ferries, presented with a ten-guinea silver cup and an
illuminated address by his respected patrons.
June 8th. Singing platform on the beach let for
£210; and in 1884 for £150 to Mr. Chappell.
June. First prize meeting of the Yarmouth Golf
Club.
June. The old Borough Gaol sold for £170 12s.
July 2nd. The Royal Aquarium opened by the Mayor, after
its being nearly rebuilt and beautifully decorated at a cost of
about £10,000. The event was celebrated by a luncheon
and concert given by Madame Alice Barth’s Opera
Company. The grand hall is 115 ft. by 60 ft., and 44 ft.
high; and the minor hall 80 ft. by 38 ft., and 23 ft. high.
The south front is faced with buff terra-cotta, the style
Italian, freely treated. Messrs. Bottle and Olley were the
architects, and Messrs. Cork and Beach and Mr. B. Springall,
building contractors. (See Oct. 31st, 1881.) The same
builders contracted for the new Board School, Church Road,
Gorleston, on July 17th, at £4,348.
July 4th. C. C. Aldred, Esq., sworn as a Magistrate for
the County of Norfolk. (See June 28th, 1884.)
July. Corporal S. J. Batchelder, 2nd N.R.V., won the
champion medal of Norfolk at Norwich.
July. Invalid shelter on South Parade ordered by the
Council. Cost £60.
July 9th. Retired Commander Francis Harris, R.N., a
Trafalgar veteran, died at Southtown, and buried at
Gorleston. He was born May 17th, 1795, and was 11 years old
when the great battle was fought. He entered the Navy as
First-class Volunteer on board the
“Téméraire;” was at the battle of
Trafalgar with his father, at the defence of Cadiz until Feb.,
1811; removed to the “Unité;” assisted at the
capture in 1811 of the French store ship
“Dromédaire,” 800 tons; in the following May,
in the same frigate, in company with the “Pemone” and
“Scout,” at the destruction of the
“Giraffe” and “Nourrice.” He
participated in many boat affairs in the Adriatic; and in the
same ship shared in a partial action, fought, 13th Feb., 1814,
with the Toulon fleet, under Sir E. Pellew. He was advanced
to the rank of Lieutenant in 1815, and made Commander in
1860. The Graphic, March 1st, 1879, published the
portraits of the then seven survivors, including Commander Harris
and Admiral Spencer Smyth, of this town.
July
13th. Sydney Stalley (20) drowned on Oulton Broad.
July 17th. Columbia Fish Market, London (built some ten
years ago by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, at a cost of
£300,000), re-opened, to which large quantities of fish are
consigned from Yarmouth.
July 22nd. On Sunday a man (name unknown) hung himself
on one of the trees on Trafalgar Road, near the Grammar
School.
Aug. 1st. The “Duke’s Head” and Corn
Hall let by auction for seven years to Mr. Seaman at an annual
rent of £460.
Aug. 23rd. Mr. A. E. Welch saved a gentleman from
drowning, and received a testimonial from the Royal Humane
Society; and in Sept. Rev. G. Wilson and J. W. Duffield were
similarly recognised for their bravery.
Aug. 29th. Messrs. Ferrier and Co.’s brewery,
Middlegate Street, with plant, machinery, residence, &c.,
also 21 public-houses and beerhouses, sold in one lot for
£15,750 (exclusive of £669 for rolling stock).
Sept. 2nd. Very heavy gale.
Sept. An elegant obelisk, 24 ft. high, erected in the
churchyard at the north-east corner of the Parish Church.
It is made of polished red Aberdeen granite, resting on die and
steps of the same beautiful stone, while under these is a massive
grey granite platform, a single block, 9½ ft. square,
surrounded with posts of like material, and rails of shining gun
metal. It is erected by Mrs. Mills, of Nelson Road, to the
memory of George J. Mills (died Nov. 6th, 1827, aged 37), and
other members of her family. (See April, 1878.)
Sept. 17th. Steamer “Isis” stranded on
Hasbro’.
Sept. 22nd. Rev. Henry Stebbings, D.D., F.R.S., died in
London. He was born at Yarmouth in 1799, took his degree of
B.A. at Cambridge in 1828, and ordained by Bishop Bathurst.
He was the first editor of the Athenæum, and wrote
the “Lives of the Italian Poets.”
Oct. 5th. Batt.-Sergt. Major Quince presented with a
handsome timepiece by the pupils in his swimming class, in
recognition of his kindness to them.
Oct.
22nd. Destructive fire on the premises of Messrs. Robert
Yaxley and John Beckett, and total demolition of the intended
Salvation Army barracks. It broke out about 6 p.m., and the
group of buildings, comprising fish and tan houses, stable, net
stores, &c., were soon one mass of ruins. On Nov. 1st
£100 worth of damage by fire was done to Messrs. S. K.
Smith and Son’s fishing premises, on St. Peter’s
Road.
Nov. Remarkable sunsets, the western horizon night after
night being resplendent, the sky changing from pale orange to
blood red.
Nov. 19th. Smack “Puss” lost in the North
Sea, through collision; and on Dec. 28th the fishing boat
“Raven” collided with the “Daylight,” and
sunk.
Nov. 27th. Mad pranks of a bull belonging to Mr.
Southgate. It entered Mr. Harrison’s grocer’s
shop in the Market, injuring one of the assistants and damaging
the goods. Afterwards running down Regent Street and along
the Hall Quay, it found its way to the Broad Row, where it
smashed windows and did other injury, till being secured by a
rope round a lamp-post, it was killed, and the carcase removed on
a cart. The inhabitants were much terrified, and tradesmen
quickly closed their shops.
Dec. 4th. William Holt, Esq., Magistrates’ Clerk
and Borough Coroner, died, aged 57 years.
Dec. 4th. Mr. C. A. Goodwin passed a very successful
examination as second mate at the London Local Marine Board.
Dec. 4th. Gale and heavy thunderstorm.
Dec. 5th. Mr. Charles Diver resigned his seat in the
Council for Regent Ward, and paid the £25 fine; and Mr.
Walter Brown was elected to the seat on 24th, by 224 votes, or 52
more than Mr. F. Burton. On Dec. 11th Mr. Diver was
appointed Borough Coroner, and Dec. 13th as Magistrates’
Clerk. (See June 24th, 1869, and Jan. 8th, 1884.)
Dec. 8th. John Reeve (38), of Hopton, fell off a load of
hay in Gorleston, and died from injuries received.
Dec.
9th. William Jackson, porter on the Eastern and Midlands
Railway, at Yarmouth, was run over by a railway carriage, and one
of his legs was subsequently amputated at the Hospital.
Dec. 11th and 12th. Another destructive gale and very
high tide, the wind blowing “great guns.” Loss
of Messrs. Bessey and Palmer’s “Francis” and
three hands; the carrier steamer “Marie,” owned by
the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, and all hands (12); also Mr. M.
Barber’s brigantine “Susannah,” with a crew of
four or five hands; and five smacks. About 60 lives were
lost in all.
Dec. The season’s catch of herrings was 19,232
lasts.
Dec. Sir Francis Roxburgh, Q.C., appointed Mr. John
Etheridge Chief Clerk to the Registrar of the County Court.
Dec. 14th. The derelict barque “Ulah”
beached opposite the Nelson Monument. Crew lost.
Dec. W. N. Burroughs, Esq., gave a donation of
£500 to the Yarmouth Hospital, and £500 to the
Fishermen’s Hospital as a birthday present. Mr.
Burroughs died on April 12th, 1884. (See June 11th,
1884.)
Dec. 22nd. Chief Constable W. Brogden presented with a
handsome gold keyless hunter watch by the Mayor, on behalf of the
Race Committee, for his vigilant attention to duty.
Winners of the Ladies’ Challenge Cups in the Yarmouth
Volunteer Corps:—2nd Norfolk Rifles. As will
be seen by the following list, Sergeant Buddery took the cup in
1883, after 24 years.
|
|
Pts.
|
1860.
|
J. H. Bly
|
12
|
1861.
|
H. Fenner
|
12
|
1862.
|
Col.-Sgt. Chipperfield
|
17
|
1863.
|
Bugle-Major Fenner
|
16
|
1864.
|
G. W. N. Borrett
|
17
|
1865.
|
H. E. Pestell
|
30
|
1866.
|
Capt. E. P. Youell
|
45
|
1867.
|
Corp. A. Gunton
|
43
|
1868.
|
Corpl. Wilshak
|
47
|
1869.
|
Sergt. G. S. Pearson
|
45
|
1870.
|
A. J. Harpour
|
45
|
1871.
|
Corp. Wilshak
|
50
|
1872.
|
A. J. Harpour
|
43
|
1873.
|
Ar.-Sgt.-Wales
|
47
|
1874.
|
Wm. Hunt
|
44
|
1875.
|
Corp. Goddard
|
82
|
1876.
|
Wm. Hunt
|
80
|
1877.
|
Corp. Goddard
|
78
|
1878.
|
Corp. J. W. Cross
|
82
|
1879.
|
W. Barrett
|
82
|
1880.
|
Sergt. Goddard
|
88
|
1881.
|
Sergt. Buddery
|
90
|
1882.
|
„ „
|
80
|
1883.
|
„ „
|
65
|
1st Norfolk Artillery Volunteers: The cup was
first shot for in 1869, and after 13 years became the sole
property of Battery-Sergt.-Major R. B. Smith, as will be seen by
the annexed list of winners:—
1869.
|
Lieut. H. H. Baker.
|
1870.
|
Sergt. G. H. Self.
|
1871.
|
„
|
1872.
|
Qr.-Master W. C. Mack.
|
1873.
|
Gunner Woodhouse.
|
1874.
|
Sergt. G. H. Sell.
|
1875.
|
Qr.-Master Sergt. Mack.
|
1876.
|
Qr.-Master Sgt. Mack.
|
1877.
|
Bt.-Sgt. Major Self.
|
1878.
|
„ ,, „
|
1879.
|
Sergt. R. B. Smith.
|
1880.
|
Bat.-Sergt.-Major R. B. Smith.
|
1881.
|
,, ,, ,,
|
Launches: Feb. 24th, fishing boat “Nell,” from
Messrs. Castle’s yard; March 12th, smack
“Sylvia;” March 19th, smack “Little Tom;”
May 23rd, Messrs. Morgan’s yachts “Midge,” and
June 6th, “Red White;” June 28th, steam tug
“Yare,” from Messrs. Beeching’s yard; July 9th,
smack “E. Birkbeck,” from Mr. Critton’s yard;
July 30th, dandy trawlers “Boy Ben” and “New
Spray;” Nov. 3rd, lifeboat “Covent Garden,”
from Messrs. Beeching’s yard.
Marriages: Jan. 25th, Mr. G. D. Gowing, Norwich, to Miss E. S.
Gambling, Southtown.—May 5th, Mr. E. B. Sewell to
Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. John Caleb Fenn, of
Gorleston.—July 24th, Rev. E. A. Ducket, B.A., to Miss
Maria H. Denny.—June 19th, G. A. Ward, Esq., to Katherine
Scott, fourth daughter of E. P. Youell, Esq.—July 20th,
Arthur H., second son of R. B. B. Norman, Esq., surgeon, to Edith
L. Stevens, of Norwich.—Aug. 9th, Mr. Wm. E. Bovill to
Persis, daughter of J. P. Baumgartner, Esq.—Sept. 20th, Mr.
C. R. St. Aubyn, of Gorleston, to Miss Annie Adelaide
Arnott.—Oct. 22nd, Charles A. S. Ling, M.R.C.S., L.S.A., of
Gorleston, to Miss Ada A. Cooper.—Nov. 6th, Rev. R. V.
Barker, M.A., to Miss Palgrave.
Deaths: Jan. 2nd, Rev. J. Mangan, D.D., aged 46.—Jan.
30th, Mrs. Garwood B. Palmer, of Gorleston, aged 63.—Mr. T.
E. Gray, ironmonger, aged 74.—May 1st. Alderman J. T.
Bracey, aged 82.—May 26th, Charles D. Arnott, Esq., M.D.,
at Gorleston, aged 62.—June 16th, Mr. G. S. F. Skoulding,
T.C., chemist.—June 25th, Mr. George Farrow, aged
81.—July 25th, Elizabeth Tolver, wife of the Rev. A. Hume,
and daughter of the late Rev. Mark Waters. July 27th, Mr.
George Reginald Harmer, aged 28.—Aug. 3rd, Mr. Robert B.
Moxon, aged 20.—Aug. 4th, Mary, relict of the late Samuel
C. Marsh, aged 68.—Aug. 10th, Elizabeth Boyce Crisp, aged
27.—Aug. 27th, the veteran bellringer, Thomas Gooch, aged
88.—Nov. 3rd, Mr. Joseph Tomlinson, ex-Town Councillor, at
Gorleston, aged 47.—Dec. 24th, F. H. S. Raven, B.A., son of
Dr. Raven, aged 23.
Jan. 8th. J. T. Waters, Esq., elected Borough Coroner in
place of C. Diver, Esq., resigned.
Jan. 15th. St. Andrew’s Hall, Gorleston, sold,
including fittings and dwelling-house adjoining, for
£430.
Jan. 23rd. Heavy gale; and another on 26th, accompanied
with a heavy thunderstorm.
Jan. 26th. At midnight Mr. E. Bostock’s
draper’s shop, King Street, burnt down, and stock-in-trade
completely demolished; the Rose Tavern adjoining (occupied by Mr.
W. Overed) was also partly destroyed by fire; at the same time
part of Mr. Watts’ dyeing premises in Middlegate Street
were in flames.
Jan. Mr. Keymer, organist of Gorleston Church, presented
with a handsome five-o’clock tea service by the choir.
The past winter, and during several previous, were among the
mildest on record, snow and frost being scarcely seen.
Feb. 4th. School Board Election.
Feb. 15th. Boiler explosion at Mr. Nall’s steam
printing works, Row 63. Messrs. George Emmerson and John
Hughes were severely scalded, and much damage was done to the
building and machinery.
Feb. 16th. Fire at Mr. G. Archard’s, King
Street.
March. The Rev. A. J. Spencer, M.A., prior to leaving
the ministry at St. John’s Church for Hickley.
Leicestershire, was presented with several costly presents by his
congregation, church helpers, &c.
March. A clerical impostor, named John Lindsay,
scripture reader connected with St. Peter’s Church, brought
to bay, and subsequently imprisoned for solemnizing matrimony
without a license.
March. Mr. C. W. Moss, F.C.O., appointed organist of St.
Peter’s Church.
April 1st. Mr. Wm. Albrow, 14 years hon. sec. of the
Market Ward Conservative Association, presented with a handsome
ormolu clock under glass shade, by the members.
April 2nd. A young cow visited the shop of Mr. Baird,
Regent Street, but being no judge of leather left without giving
an order. Prior to this, Mr. F. Norris’ shop was
visited by some sheep.
April 6th. Fire at the Belvedere Tavern, Caister
Road.
April 7th. C. S. Orde, D. Tomkins, and F. Arnold, Esqs.,
sworn in as Borough Magistrates before the Recorder.
April 17th. Fire at Mr. W. Wilkins’ net chamber
and residence, Southtown.
April 22nd. Destructive earthquake in East Anglia, but
the shock was only slightly felt at Yarmouth, and no damage
done.
May 15th. Quarter-Master Cooke, 1st N.A.V., presented
with a silver tankard and a four-o’clock tea service, by
the past and present officers of the corps and other friends, on
his retirement; also an illuminated address.
May 15th. Wm. Smith attempted to murder his wife at
Gorleston, and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment on July
25th.
May 21st to 23rd. An Ohio Englyshe Fayre at the Town
Hall.
May 28th. The south transept of the Parish Church opened
after restoration. (See Dec. 3rd.)
June 11th. The will of the late Mr. W. N. Burroughs
proved, his personal estate amounting to over
£11,000. (See Dec., 1883.)
June 28th. Chas. Cory Aldred, Esq., Deputy-Mayor, and
five times Chief Magistrate of the Borough, died. He was
born March 21st, 1811, and for 40 years was a very prominent
member of society. To perpetuate his memory, his portrait,
in robes, painted by Mr. J. B. Burgess, A.R.A., of Finchley Road,
St. John’s Wood, and subscribed for by the town, is to be
hung in the Town Hall.
June. The Guardians issued bills in all the Wards with
the names of defaulting ratepayers upon them, which led to much
ridicule, and a public indignation meeting was called on June
25th.
July 5th. Fire at Mr. Sharman’s, Regent
Street.
Launches: Jan. 7th, the trawler “Ethel May;” Jan.
29th, smack “Sir Francis Burdett.”
Marriages: March 19th, Mr. W. Richardson, M.B., C.M.,
to Miss Helen S. Blake.—April 16th, Mr. R. P. Chamberlin,
of Wroxham, to Miss Clara M. Wiltshire.
Deaths: Jan. 3rd, John Clarke, Esq., J.P., at Felbrigg; Jan.
9th, Quarter-Master Stembridge, P.W.O. Royal Artillery, aged 47;
Jan. 3rd, Mr. Geo. M. Pulford, aged 80; Feb. 15th, Mr. H. H.
Gambling, aged 60; Feb. 22nd, Mr. F. W. Rolfe, organist of St.
Peter’s Church, aged 43; April 12th, W. N. Burroughs, Esq.,
aged 85; April 14th, Emma, widow of the late Robert Boyce Crisp,
aged 68; April 16th, Arthur Palmer, Esq., J.P., aged 63; April
26th, J. S. Clowes, Esq., T.C., aged 35.
August. The following is a list of persons who died in
this Borough of 90 years and upwards:—1793, Matthew
Champion, aged 111; 1854, Eleanor Warren, 102; 1855, Thomas
Burgess, 94; 1860, Ann Mann, 96; 1861, Thornton Fisher, 91; 1865,
Susannah Clark, 97; 1866, Edmund Clarke 95; 1868, Sarah Crockett,
99; 1869, John T. Buston, 90; 1870, John Meffin, 93; 1873, James
Mitchell 99, Mary Ablitt, 95, Susan Baldwin 90, Rebecca
Willemite, 90; 1874, Ann Kippon, 97; 1875, Catherine Pullyn 90;
Mary Thomas 93, Mary Hall, 91; 1876, Sophia Ranall 90, Mary Ann
Blyth, 90; 1877, John Smith 90, Barker Crisp 94, Elizabeth
Bristow 91, Martha Bryanton, 91; 1878, Mrs. George Danby Palmer
91, Wm. Plummer 96, Sarah Kelf 92, John Van Hutton 102, Hannah
Fountain 91, Susannah Newman 91, Ann Pidgeon 94, Sarah Porter,
94; 1879, Sarah Haw 91, Jane Haw 93, April 6th, Ann Parker 95;
Elizabeth Fenn, 90, Elizabeth Farrow 92, Mary Francis 93,
Elizabeth Warren 104 and 8 months; 1880, Margaret Henry, 96;
1881, Samuel Yarham 94, M. A. Crickmay 90, Ralph Newby, 93; 1882,
Sarah Parker 91, John Mooring 102, Susannah Dye, 94; 1883,
Elizabeth Wright 94, Wm. Tyrrell 92, Mary Hogg 91, Maria Manship
96, Lydia Bulley 90, Mary Errington, 92; 1884, Feb. 9th, James
Kemp 90, Elizabeth Roberts 97, Sarah Gates 91, Elizabeth James
90, and Wm. Wood 91.
