1.--A fine barque of 410 tons, named the Egbert, was launched from the
shipyard of Messrs. Fellows and Son, Southtown, Great Yarmouth.
2.--The Second Administrative Battalion of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers,
numbering 22 officers, 30 non-commissioned officers, and 260 rank and
file, encamped at Langley Park, the seat of the Colonel-Commandant, Sir
Thomas Proctor Beauchamp, Bart. This was the first Volunteer camp formed
in the county. "Fifty camp tents, borrowed from the War Office for the
occasion, were pitched in rows beyond the parade-ground, and in these the
Volunteers encamped for the night, a plentiful supply of straw being
provided for them." The First Administrative Battalion encamped at
Gunton Park, from July 22nd to 25th, and the Dereham and Wymondham
Companies formed a camp at Letton Park, on September 22nd.
6.--A shocking accident occurred at Burgh Water Frolic. A large wherry,
named the Ruby, belonging to Mr. England, of Limpenhoe, had been
chartered for the day by a Yarmouth publican, and was crowded with
passengers both above and below the hatches. The craft was sailing to
the _rendezvous_, and when between the Dickey-walk and the Cross-stakes,
the Red Rover, a famous yacht, was sighted coming full sail down the
river. The passengers rushed hurriedly from the larboard to the
starboard side of the wherry, to watch her progress, and those beneath
the hatches protruded their heads and necks over the gunwale. The
stanchions, unable to resist the sudden strain, gave way, and the hatches
falling, came with terrific force upon the heads and bodies of the
persons below. Two men, named Charles Aldis Rushmer and James Tripp, had
their necks dislocated and skulls fractured, several persons sustained
minor injuries, and others were thrown into the water, but were rescued
by boats.
14.--The Channel Fleet of eight ships of war, under the command of
Rear-Admiral Dacres, arrived in Yarmouth Roads. The total number of men
on board was 4,800. The Fleet weighed anchor on the 18th, and sailed for
the Downs.
15.--The Maharajah Duleep Singh, the new owner of the Elveden estate,
arrived at Thetford for the purpose of inspecting the property. The
church bells were rung in honour of the illustrious visitor. On November
21st it was announced that the Maharajah made almost daily excursions in
pursuit of his favourite sport of hawking, and that a pack of hounds had
also arrived at Elveden.
16.--A serious fire occurred at East Dereham, on the premises of Mr.
William Hubbard, builder. It resulted in the total destruction of the
large workshops, and entailed a loss of about 2,000. An adjacent
warehouse was stored with 400 worth of goods belonging to Mr. E. Smith
was also destroyed. Furniture and goods were hastily removed from
adjoining houses and placed in the Corn Hall; the tenants of Mrs.
Dingle's cottages suffered great loss from their articles being broken or
stolen. A public subscription was made to recoup Mr. Hubbard's workmen
the loss of their trade tools, valued at about 130; and on August 10th,
at a meeting of the townspeople, a fire brigade was organized. The
origin of the fire was never discovered. A groom in the employment of
Mr. Hubbard was apprehended upon suspicion, but was discharged for want
of evidence.
30.--Died at his residence, Town Close, Norwich, Mr. Samuel Shalders
Bears, aged 76. He was for many years prominently connected with
Norwich, both as a man of business and as a member of most of the leading
institutions, charitable, literary, and political. In 1829, under the
old Corporation, he was elected Sheriff, and in 1837, under the new
_regime_, he served the office of Mayor. Mr. Beare was senior magistrate
on the Norwich Bench, and was upon the commission of the peace for the
county of Suffolk.