“The scene of devastation on our beach, occasioned by the late high
tides, exceed the powers of description. Wednesday morning, in some
measure, prepared us for the event; the sea was at that time breaking
over the jetty, and reached as high as the houses. It was prophesied
by nautical men that if the next tide was equally high the
consequences would be most disastrous, and, unfortunately, it so
proved. The sea in the evening undermined the foundations of most of
the dwellings, throwing down the walls of many, to the great injury
of those of the inmates who had not taken the precautions to remove
their property. Furniture was seen floating in all directions, in
the presence of the astonished and alarmed multitude. The summer
residence of the Right Hon. Lord Berners is more than half destroyed,
while the house of the Misses Ansell and the Right Hon. Lord Nevill
were surrounded; in fact, such a scene of general devastation never
in the memory of the oldest inhabitant presented itself. The sea at
one time reached some way up the Jetty Road. While a person was
assisting the landlord of the Holkham Tavern to remove his beds, &c.,
to a back warehouse, the sea burst in and broke down the front wall.
At one part of the South Denes the sea and river might be seen
meeting. Part of the South Quay was flooded. It was unusually high
at the bridge, and likewise some of the lower parts of the town.
Amidst this wide spreading destruction, we are glad to say, no lives
were lost.”
Feb. 22nd.—The Lord High Steward (the Earl of Lichfield) had been sworn
in, and a dinner given in his honour. The noble lord was accompanied by
the Mayor, Lord Suffield, the Hon. George Anson, Mr. Rumbold, Sir W.
Ffolkes, and Mr. Adair.
March 10th.—A meeting had been held, the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew
presiding, to consider the establishment of a penny library for the
working classes.
March 24th.—A bet had been made by Mr. Ringer, of the Elephant and Castle
liquor shop in the Market Place, “that on Monday he would sell 1,000
glasses of ale and porter from six o’clock in the morning and close the
same night. Mr. R. closed at 10, after selling 2,454, at one penny per
glass.”
Mr. F. Preston had launched a fine ship of 370 tons from his yard.
April 2nd.—Mr. Edward H. L. Preston and Mr. Green had been tried and
acquitted upon charges of bribery alleged to have been committed by them
at the General Election, when Messrs. Baring and Praed were returned for
the borough.
April 7th.—A poll had taken place for two Haven and Pier Commissioners,
as follows:—
George Danby Palmer 375
William Barth 375
Sir E. Lacon 207
Samuel Paget 168
and Messrs. Palmer and Barth were consequently elected.
April 14th contains the following paragraph as to the recent bribery
prosecution:—
“Yesterday there was a grand public dinner at the Angel Inn, to
celebrate what the Tories call ‘the defeat of the Attorney-General
and the Yarmouth Radicals;’ but what we should say was a fortunate
escape of the accused parties, arising from the glorious uncertainty
of the law. John Lacon, Esq., was in the chair. Richard Ferrier,
Esq., presided at the left hand table. The two vice-presidents were
Mr. Aldred and Mr. John Clarke. A very handsome silver teapot and
ewer were presented to Mr. William Green, by John Penrice, Esq., in
an appropriate speech, for his exertions at the last election. We
were not present, but had these particulars from a Tory friend, who
also said ‘he thought ’twas hard poor Prentice hadn’t something, as
he did as much as Green, and more too.’ There were about 70 persons
present.”
Twenty gentlemen, all of Reform principles, had been elected select
Vestrymen.
Five hundred merchants and others had attended a public meeting to
protest against the proposal of the Eastern Counties’ Railway Company to
construct a line to Harwich.
April 28th.—The seamen had “struck” for an increase of wages.
Several persons had been fined for keeping disorderly houses.
Seven vessels had been cleared with emigrants for America, carrying 850
adults and 600 children, and several other vessels were fitting out for
the same voyage.
May 5th.—The town was suffering from a number of dogs prowling about, one
of which had severely bitten a young lady.
May 19th.—Mr. William Ferrier had been elected Coroner by the Council,
which body had voted, by a majority of one, to retain the Market Cross.
June 9th—Mr. Jefferies Barth had been elected Clerk of the Peace.
June 17th.—Nathaniel Palmer, Esq., had been appointed Recorder.
June 23rd.—A fine new schooner (The Clipper) had been launched for
William Hurry Palmer, Esq., and was expected to be the fastest sailing
vessel out of the port.
June 30th.—The Cross was ordered to be pulled down.
July 14th.—It was stated that “Yarmouth is very full of strangers, who
flock here from all parts of the country to enjoy the cool sea breezes.
We believe there is not any other place that affords so excellent a view
of shipping in motion as Yarmouth Roads, it being the great thoroughfare
for all vessels trading to the North. The Bath Room is one of the
principal attractions to visitors, as it is a most agreeable lounge
during the heat of the day, and frequent undress balls enliven the
youthful part of the company. The Bath Room has been well attended this
year, and we are happy to say the list of subscribers gives promise of a
good season.”