A tradition has long existed in connection with the Elizabethian
House upon the Quay, formerly belonging to John Carter, the regicide,
but now the residence of C. J. Palmer, Esq., F.S.A., (mentioned by
Noble, vol. 2, p. 340), that of the “many secret consults” which the
rebels held prior to the trial and execution of King Charles I. the
fatal and final one took place in a chamber in the above mentioned
house, in which Carter then lived. A meeting of the chief
Parliamentarian Generals was summoned, and the regicides, it is said,
met early in the afternoon, and the conference, which was one of
‘great secrecy,’ did not terminate until near the hour of midnight,
the dinner which had been ordered for four o’clock not being served
until the meeting broke up. This tradition, though generally
credited, had hitherto received no confirmation to render it of
historical value. The important fact has, however, been placed
almost beyond a doubt, as we can state on the authority of F.
Worship, Esq., that in the course of the labours of the Committee
recently appointed by the Town Council to inquire into the ancient
records and muniments of the Borough, a record has been found of the
visit of Oliver Cromwell to our town about the time alluded to, it
having never yet been definitely ascertained that the Protector
visited Yarmouth. We hope this very interesting discovery will
induce the Committee to prosecute their labours, and when the
valuable town documents have been arranged and restored, the Council
will see the propriety and necessity of providing some suitable
depository for them.
Feb. 8th.—The New Mercantile Marine Act had excited much dissatisfaction,
and several handbills had appeared urging the sailors to take action, and
on Tuesday morning having “struck,” they mustered in groups on the
Hall-quay. Subsequently they formed in procession to the number of 1,000
and paraded the town for several hours; they had a band and flags with
them, and a board on which was written “Do not sign the laws” and “Wages
£2 15s. Summer and Winter.”
A Seaman’s Union had been formed having 450 members, and Mr. J. Teasdel
having given notice that he did not intend to reduce the wages paid to
his men to 50s. a month, several hundred of the men on strike, went over
the Bridge and manned the yards of a vessel belonging to that gentleman,
for whom they gave some loud and hearty cheers.
The Magistrates refused to sign a 1s. 9d. Poor rate, but such rate was
subsequently signed by Mr. W. H. Palmer and Mr. J. Fenn and the rate for
that amount made.
Feb. 15th.—A meeting of the shipowners had been held at the Town-hall to
consider the seamen’s grievances, the Mayor in the chair, when upon the
motion of Mr. George Danby-Palmer, a resolution was carried to obtain a
repeal of the act of Parliament complained of, and a Committee formed
consisting of six owners and six seamen with the Mayor as chairman to
give effect to such resolution; the wages question was, however, not
discussed.
Feb. 22nd.—A further meeting had been held “to take into consideration
the present complaint of seamen respecting their wages, that the same may
be equalized throughout the year whether by voyage or month.”
About 30 owners were present, and also the Sailors’ Committee; the Mayor
was in the chair, and the sailors refused to be bound by their “old
agreement;” the following account is given of their subsequent
proceedings:—
Since the above meeting a letter has been sent to the Mayor,
announcing that the sailors were determined not to abide for the
future by the old agreement; and handbills were also publicly issued,
announcing a “grand procession” of the seamen of the port for the
following day. Accordingly on Saturday the sailors assembled
opposite to their rendezvous, at the Royal Exchange on the Quay, to
the number of about 1,500, and flags, union jacks, &c., with a band
of music having been procured, a procession was formed, which paraded
the town for several hours. The men were mostly respectably attired,
and wore rosettes of various colours, from which were suspended the
medals of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society. Some of the men were
dressed in various emblematical characters, such as Britannia,
Neptune, Amphitrite, Triton, &c., and were borne upon the shoulders
of the crowd in boats, dolphin cars, &c., which were decorated with
evergreens, &c., in short the whole assemblage seemed more like a
triumphal procession than that of a demonstration occasioned by one
of those unfortunate breaches between employers and employed, termed
a “strike.” Throughout the crowd a number of placards were
distributed, bearing the following inscription:—“We, the seamen of
Yarmouth, hereby testify our gratitude to the inhabitants, for the
handsome manner in which they have come forward to assist us in
obtaining our just rights.” Also a number of poles, terminating in
tridents, fishes, &c., were borne aloft, together with a handsomely
carved model ship, covered with the flags of all nations.
Mr. S. S. Barber had applied to the Bench for the assistance of the civil
force to protect his seamen, who had just arrived by the “Maid of the
Yare,” London Trader, and who had been persuaded to leave their vessel,
and even threatened to be taken away by force if they did not leave. The
Superintendent and some of the police went down to the spot, but, as the
men remained perfectly peaceable, their presence was not at all required.
The following members of the Council had addressed a letter to the
Treasury protesting against a proposed loan for drainage purposes, which
was said to have been carried by a majority of the Council at its last
meeting:—Sir E. H. K. Lacon, R. Ferrier, E. H. L. Preston, F. Worship,
William H. Palmer, R. Steward, R. D. Barber, E. R. Aldred, J. C. Smith,
J. G. Plummer, J. Cherry, J. E. Barnby, C. C. Aldred, B. Jay, R. Ferrier,
junr., S. Miller and William Worship, and thereupon at the Council
meeting a very warm discussion ensued, during which Mr. C. C. Aldred was
accused of having called Mr. George Danby-Palmer “a liar,” and Sir E. H.
K. Lacon (by Mr. Henry Danby-Palmer) of having made a disturbance by
“kicking against the panels.”
March 1st.—The following Councillors subsequently addressed a letter to
the Treasury in respect of these proceedings:—D. A. Gourlay, H.
Danby-Palmer, J. Bayly, R. Hammond, J. Lettis, junr., J. Fish, W. T.
Clarke, J. Barker, P. Pullyn, J. Jackson, J. D. Chapman, R. Hammond,
junr., G. Danby-Palmer, W. N. Burroughs, C. E. Bartram, M. Butcher, J. G.
Cannell, H. Boulter, P. White, J. Fiddes and J. Pike.
This issue contains the following report of the Sailors’ Strike and
Riot:—
We have this week to record a riot of a serious nature arising out of
the unfortunate strike among the seamen who, until recently, had
conducted themselves in a manner highly creditable to so large a body
of men placed in such circumstances. Since the ill-advised
rejection, by the men, of the old agreement as to wages, there have
been several mariners (as there always must be with an over-stocked
labour market) quite ready and glad to sail at different rates to
those proposed by those who struck; and forseeing that if such
defections from their camp continued, their strike would be
unavailing, the sailors have during the last week been in the habit
of parading the Quay, in gangs, for the purpose of unlawfully
preventing such as were willing to go to sea from joining their
ships, and partly by force, and partly by threats, several men have
been deterred from fulfilling their engagements. Although these
facts were known to the authorities, no steps were taken to put a
stop to them, in the hope that the reasonable and peaceable portion
of the sailors would see how unjustifiable was the course they were
pursuing, and how really destructive it was to the interests both of
the owners and men. The same line of conduct was, however,
continued. The first case brought before the Bench was that of
Samuel Graystone, the mate of the schooner “Ant,” belonging to Mr. S.
S. Barber, who applied for the protection of the police, the men
having been taken out of his vessel on Friday afternoon last. On
Saturday morning, Mr. Barber again appeared before the Mayor to
complain that the master and crew of the “Maid of the Yare” had been
interrupted, and made to go on shore. The master having come up and
corroborated this statement, the crew were sent for and asked if they
were willing to go to sea, having signed articles. The master and
mate said they were, but the men declined, through fear of personal
violence. They were told that if they did not they must be sent to
gaol, but if they were willing to go they should be protected. They
then agreed to go, and were sent down accordingly with a body of the
police; the master and mate went on board, but the crew refused, and
the police were therefore withdrawn, when some sailors went and
ill-used the mate, throwing him over the bows of his ship on to the
Quay Head. The captain also was pushed on shore. Subsequently the
Bench were informed that the man Graystone had again been taken out
of his vessel, which had gone to sea without him, and was then lying
in Corton Roads. Graystone was sent for, and said he was not willing
to go; but on an information being taken against him for refusing, he
said he would if he could be protected. A steamtug was therefore
ordered to convey him to his vessel, and on its arriving opposite the
Town Hall at half-past two o’clock, the Magistrates agreed, before
taking any other steps, to try whether the police were not sufficient
to protect the men on board, notwithstanding the evident
determination of a large body of sailors to prevent him. The
Superintendent of Police, therefore, arranged the whole force, and
with Graystone in the centre, surrounded by the Mayor and
Magistrates, the escort left the station-house, distant not more than
one hundred yards from the steamtug. When about half way down, the
crowd, which then consisted of about 200 or 300 sailors, set up a
tremendous yell and rushed upon the police, whose ranks were speedily
broken, several of the police and Magistrates being struck. They
rallied, and with the assistance of the Magistrates, who were mainly
instrumental in preventing Graystone from being rescued, they
succeeded in placing him safely on board the tug. The principal
ringleaders were then picked out, and after some considerable
struggling they were got into the station-house. By this time the
concourse of people had increased to upwards of a thousand. Some of
the men then obtained a spar or boom which was brought opposite the
station-house door for the purpose of using it as a battering ram to
release the six or seven prisoners within. Several stones were
thrown, and a few windows broken; upon which the Mayor immediately
swore in as many persons as were willing to be special constables,
and a sally was made upon the mob, and with considerable difficulty
the spar was got away, and one or two of those who were using it were
taken into custody, but being completely overpowered, the authorities
were compelled to retreat with the force into the station-house.
Shortly after, Capt. Ellis, R.N., having arrived with a body of the
coastguardsmen, armed with muskets, &c., together with some of the
men from the revenue cutter, they took up a position in front of the
Hall and Police-station. The Mayor then read the Riot Act, the
people not dispersing, but on the contrary rather increasing, as
there must then have been several thousands. Mr. G. D. Palmer
addressed a few words to them from the Hall-door, imploring them to
desist from the foolish course they had taken, and entreating them to
disperse peaceably. A stone was then hurled at the spot where the
Magistrates were standing, but it fortunately did not take effect,
and the man who threw it was instantly secured and brought into the
station-house. The following proclamation was issued by the Mayor:—
“Borough of Great Yarmouth, 22nd Feb., 1851.
“NOTICE.—A riot having this day taken place in this Borough, and the
Riot Act having been read, all peaceable and loyal inhabitants are
desired to keep in their houses until order has been restored. And
notice is hereby further given, that no assemblage of persons will be
allowed.
CHARLES PEARSON, Mayor.”
After a consultation of the Magistrates, they unanimously determined
to send to Norwich for a troop of the Military stationed there. A
telegraphic message was therefore despatched, which reached the
Norwich Station about half-past four o’clock. In the meantime nine
of the East Norfolk Militia located here, under Captain Brown,
arrived, and were speedily followed by detachments of the Coastguard
from the stations at Caister, Winterton, Corton, &c., who were all
sworn in as special constables. The total available force for the
protection of the town now amounted to 201, viz., 90 special
constables, 81 officers and men of the revenue cutter and coastguard,
21 policemen, and 9 militia men; and it was determined to clear the
space in front of the station-house, which, with much difficulty was
accomplished, when the police succeeded in picking out and taking
several of the ringleaders.
Some persons consider that the people might have been entirely
dispersed without the aid of the military, but considering the
overwhelming number of persons present, it could only have been
accomplished by the armed force charging among the people, which
might have involved much bloodshed, if not actual loss of life, and
there can be no doubt that the authorities exercised a wise and
prudent discretion in contenting themselves by keeping the crowd as
it were at bay, until the arrival of the military, a troop of which,
consisting of 35 of the 11th Hussars, under Captain Douglas, reached
the Yarmouth station by special train at about a quarter to six in
the evening. A great mob of people had assembled at the terminus,
and the officer in command refused to enter the town unless
accompanied by a magistrate on horseback. J. C. Smith, Esq.,
accordingly having gone down, the troop, a little before seven
o’clock, entered the town and cantering their horses over the quay
and pavements, the crowd which had remained in front of the
Police-court fled in every direction, some of them in their anxiety
to escape the too near approach of the soldiers’ swords, actually
running over one another. Several women were knocked down by the mob
in their flight, but we believe no injuries, beyond a few broken
heads and bruised limbs, were received by any one. Great numbers of
persons, however, secreted themselves by the river side, and in the
ends of the numerous narrow rows in the town, under the impression
that the military could not dislodge them. The Mayor, however,
having issued orders for the entire quay to be cleared, the police,
aided by a strong body of special constables, were for some hours
engaged in dispersing the knots of people who had collected in these
localities; patrols of the military and the police were then placed
at all the principal thoroughfares leading to the Town Hall, which
had been the scene of the riot, for the purpose of stopping all
persons from coming that way. About eleven o’clock order having
been, comparatively speaking, restored, the Magistrates consulted
with the commanding-officer, and it was agreed that the military
(which now numbered 75 in all, having been joined by another troop)
should retire to their quarters, holding themselves in readiness to
be called out at a minute’s warning. The police were sent on their
regular beats, but the cutter’s men and coastguardsmen remained at
the Hall during the whole of the Saturday night, as did also the
special constables, who were divided into three divisions, under
regular captains, for the purpose of relieving each other every four
hours. At half-past nine on Sunday morning, the Mayor and
Magistrates again assembled, but as everything had passed off quietly
during the night, and as there did not seem any disposition on the
part of the persons who were collected round the Hall (more by
curiosity than otherwise) to commit any breach of the peace, the
special constables, with most of the coastguardsmen were released
from further duty until they should be again summoned, if required,
by the alarm bell. At the close of the morning’s service the
Magistrates held a further consultation, when it was determined to
draw up a report of the occurrences which had taken place, and to
transmit the same to Sir G. Grey, the Secretary of the Home
Department, to whom it was suggested that it would be advisable that
a war steamer should be sent down to the port until order was
entirely restored.
We cannot conclude our report without bearing our testimony to the
great and extraordinary exertions to maintain peace and order made by
our excellent Chief Magistrate, ably supported as he was by everyone
of his brother Magistrates, and to the firmness and determination
displayed by the Authorities may be mainly attributed to the
preservation of the public peace, and the prompt and effectual
suppression of the riotious spirit displayed by some thoughtless and
illadvised men. It could hardly have been supposed that any friends
of order could have been found ready to cast any blame upon the
Authorities for the wise precautions they took, but we regret to say
that some persons who, instead of coming forward to assist in
preserving the public peace, kept, to their shame, in their own
houses, and who, entirely ignorant of the organisation which was on
foot, presume to censure those whom they should have been the first
to support. Such parties are, however, we trust, but few, for we
feel sure that the course pursued on the present occasion by the
Authorities, will receive the unqualified approval and sanction of
all the peaceably disposed and loyal inhabitants of the town. The
conduct of the Police force—as well as that of the special
constables—was most meritorious and praiseworthy; some of the former
especially distinguished themselves for their courageous conduct, but
it would be invidious to make any distinction between them, as all
the men in the force are equally deserving of praise. They exercised
the greatest forbearance, being most grossly insulted and ill-used,
notwithstanding which they abstained from using their staves until
the spirit of riot being openly manifested, they were directed to use
them by their excellent superintendent, Capt. B. Love.
Police-constable Fuller has been very seriously injured, it being
feared that some of his ribs are broken; another man who was engaged
in the cowardly act of beating Police-constable Johnson while on the
ground, in his turn received a blow from the truncheon of one of the
special constables, which inflicted a very serious wound on his head.
Many other persons were hurt in the course of the riot, but not that
we can learn to any serious extent. It is said, however, that a man
was severely wounded in the hand by the sword of one of the soldiers,
he having seized the bridle and nearly thrown the latter.
On the succeeding Monday the several cases were dealt with arising out of
these proceedings.
Mr. I. Preston appeared to prosecute, Mr. C. Cooper (instructed by Mr. F.
S. Costerton) representing the prisoners.
Robert Watson (for obstructing Captain Love, Surperintendent of Police)
fined 10s.
James King (for threatening E. H. L. Preston, Esq.,) fined 40s.
Samuel Bowles (like offence) fined £3.
John Crow (ditto) fined £1.
James Harvey, William Balls and William Stoddard (ditto) discharged with
a caution.
Samuel Gowing (ditto) fined £1.
Henry Walpole (charged by William Danby-Palmer, Esq., with a like
offence) fined £2.
James Vincent (for creating a disturbance) fined 10s.
George Walton (charged by Mr. S. S. Barber) for a “rescue,” fined £5.
Alfred Pye (for assaulting Police-constable Lattimore) fined £2.
William Bee, John Creak, Benjamin Mallett, Edward Brooks, and Robert
Willgrass (charged with having taken part in the riot and disturbance)
were committed for trial, but Bee, Mallett and Creak were admitted to
bail in two sureties of £40 each and their own recognizances for £68
each.
H.M. ships “Black Eagle” and “Lightning” had entered the Harbour and laid
on the west side of the river.
The Workhouse (which unfortunately contained a large number of idle and
dissolute characters) had been the scene of frequent disturbances, and
police had been lodged there on that account. During the riot an
outbreak, however, had taken place, and a ringleader named Charles
Girdlestone taken into custody; he was sentenced to 42 days’ hard labour
for this offence, and would be sent for trial for a ferocious attack on
the police. Three other paupers had been sent to the treadmill for 21
days each for refractory conduct.
March 8th.—At the Quarter Sessions, (held before N. Palmer, Esq.), the
rioters, John Creak (24), Benjamin Mallett (34), John Brooks (19),
William Bee (26), and Robert Willgrass (—), were put upon their trial.
Mr. Hotson (with whom was Mr. Mills and Mr. Bulwer) prosecuted, and Mr.
Evans (with whom was Mr. C. Cooper) defended the prisoners, the Jury
(having deliberated for 25 minutes) returned a verdict of Not Guilty,
“which verdict was received with a loud burst of applause, which lasted
two or three minutes.”
March 15th.—The strike had ended, most of the owners having consented to
sign agreements for giving the men the wages they asked for, for a period
of 12 months.
March 22nd.—The sailors had held a “Grand Procession with flags, banners,
and triumphant cars.” In the latter were several men attired as Neptune,
Britannia, &c., in the evening they attended at the Vauxhall Gardens,
where there was a grand display of fireworks.—During the strike 500
stones of flour, 600 lbs. of beef, and 500 cwt. of coals, had been
distributed amongst the families of the men on strike from the
contributions of the inhabitants.
The N.A.O.D. had met at the Trinity Arms to celebrate the 10th
anniversary of the Trinity Lodge, No. 220. Messrs. R. R. B. Norman, J.
P. Hastings, P.A., and F. Palmer took part in the proceedings.—It was
stated there were then three lodges of this order in the town.
April 5th.—Mr. Ferrier and Sir E. H. K. Lacon had appealed, without
success, against the rating of certain property on the Denes, on the
ground “that it was not within the town.”
April 12th.—Mr. S. Tolver had instructed Mr. Coppock, the parliamentary
agent, to prepare the petition against the application of the Public
Health Act to the town, and this document was being numerously signed.
It was proposed to form a “Pilot” Steam Tug Company (capital, £1,000 in
£5 shares.)
George Danby-Palmer and J. Barker, Esqs., had been elected Haven
Commissioners, and D. A. Gourlay and R. Hammond, Esqs., Supernumerary
Haven Commissioners.
April 19th.—Mr. T. Brightwen was urging the appointment of a Chaplain at
the Workhouse.
The Conservatives had secured, for the first time, several scats at the
Board of Guardians, the following forming the new Board:—
Nominated by both parties—Messrs. B. Fenn, S. C. Marsh, and S. V. Moore.
Liberals—Messrs. G. Danby-Palmer, D. A Gourlay, and T. Brightwen.
Conservatives—Messrs. R. Ferrier, E. R. Aldred, C. Woolverton, W.
Worship, J. G. Plummer, W. Laws, E. H. L. Preston, S. Nightingale, J.
Cherry, and T. Paul.
Captain Ellis, R.N., had exhibited the model of a fast sailing yacht.
Captain James Day had been fined £5 for assaulting Mr. Nolloth, tailor.
The “Public Heath Act” was again being discussed by the Town Council,
where Mr. Burroughs moved, and Mr. Barker seconded, a petition against
the application of the Act to the Borough, and Mr. F. Worship moved, and
Mr. R. Ferrier, jun., seconded as an amendment that the Council pass to
the next business on the agenda paper.
Upon a division the amendment was lost by 15 to 23, and the original
motion declared to be carried by 23 to 17 votes.
April 26th.—At a meeting held at the Angel-inn (C. J. Palmer, Esq., in
the chair) it was thought desirable “to advertise the town, and that a
saxhorn band should play daily on the principal promenades.”
May 10th.—The pilots of Gorleston had succeeded in establishing a Tug
Company, and had purchased a boat of 45 horsepower, called “The Royal
Albert.”
J. Hume, Esq., M.P., had introduced a deputation of Ratepayers opposed to
the “Public Health Act” to Lord Seymour (at the Woods and Forests
Office); it consisted of Charles Pearson, Esq., (Mayor); D. A. Gourlay,
Esq., (Deputy-Mayor); George Danby-Palmer, Esq., and William N.
Burroughs, Esq., with Mr. J. H. Harrison (Secretary), while 18 members of
the Council at the same time petitioned Parliament in favour of the
measure.
The sailors had held a meeting to consider the “Ticket” system and the
“Muster Roll” fund.
May 17th.—In consequence of the removal of the window tax, bricklayers
were busy throughout the town opening out windows formerly blocked up.
Mr. Cosgrove’s saxhorn band was to perform on the North and South
Terraces during the season.