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.”
1878.
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.”
1878–9.
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.
1879.
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.”
1880.
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.
1881.
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.
1882.
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.
1883.
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.
1884.
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.