Part 13

June 11th. The Great Yarmouth Provisional Order Port and Haven Bill confirmed in the House of Commons.

June 11th. A deputation from Yarmouth waited upon the President of the Local Government Board (the Right Hon. Sclater-Booth) in London, respecting the “trickery” resorted to in the Election of Guardians, and urged a remedy.

June 13th. The brig “Eleanor,” of Yarmouth, collided with the barque “Belle Vue,” and was dismasted.

June 24th. Mr. J. E. Bales entertained at the Rose to a luncheon by his friends on the attainment of his 80th birthday. (See March 27th, 1876.)

June 25th. The “Refuge,” a model floating battery 40 ft. long, and in the form of two oblongs crossed like a star, with a sliding keel, water-tight compartments, &c., left the Roadstead for Shields.

June 30th. A massive and elaborately-chased silver salver and a sum of money presented by the parishioners to Archdeacon Nevill, in token of esteem. (See Jan. 23rd and 25th.)

June. Messrs. P. Chamberlin and J. S. Clowes, jun., passed examinations for attorneys. The latter died in 1884.

July 2nd. Mr. Shadrake, master of the Gorleston National Schools, presented with a gold watch and chain and a purse of 20 guineas, as a memento of esteem.

July 16th. Mr. Edward Morgan saved the life of George Daudy while bathing, and the 26th of Oct. received the Humane Society’s award on vellum for his courageous conduct.

July 22nd. A comet visible at Yarmouth for several days previous to this date. Its reputed distance from the earth was 27,000,000 miles.

July 27th. The Rev. J. Upjohn, M.A., of Queen’s College, Cambridge, for many years vicar of Gorleston, died in London.

July 30th. Rents first demanded by the Corporation for stalls on the beach, and subsequently for music-stands, chairs, &c.

July 31st. The smack “Elizabeth and Mary” launched from Messrs. Fellows’ yard.

Aug. 3rd. A new Primitive Methodist Temple, Priory Plain, to accommodate 1,100 persons—on the site of a Chanel built in 1850—decided upon at a public meeting and luncheon held this day. (See June 22nd, 1875.)

Aug. 10th to 24th. Local Government Board Inquiry, relative to the election of Guardians in St. George’s and Regent Wards in the previous April, was opened at the Tolhouse Hall, before George Taylor, Esq. Mr. J. H. Norman was subsequently unseated in favour of Mr. I. Preston, jun. (Regent), and Mr. W. J. Foreman gained the seat for St. George’s.

Aug. 20th. H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, accompanied by two or three officers of the 7th Hussars, paid an unexpected visit to Yarmouth; and again on Aug. 28th, and proceeded to Lowestoft on the following day. He was entertained here by the Hon. Courtenay Boyle, in apartments at No. 3, Kimberley Terrace.

Aug. 23rd. Mr. Saml. Durrell, many years assistant overseer of Gorleston and Southtown, died, aged 82.

Aug. 27th. The Royal Assembly Rooms sold by auction to Mr. Henry W. Ulph for £2,050, and since then to the officers of the P.W.O. Royal Artillery. (See Jan. 1st, 1863.)

Sept. 4th. The dead body of a newly-born babe found on the river-side ridge of the Bridge, but how it came there was never traced out.

Sept. 10th. The never-to-be-forgotten appalling Thorpe railway accident, in which the Yarmouth night mail collided with the Norwich down train, and resulted in the death of 27 persons, besides wounding 50 others.

Sept. 16th. Sergt.-Major Hanlon, E.N.M., (on his retiring from the service after 22 years,) presented with a chaste silver tea-service and silver inkstand by Sir E. Lacon, Bart., M.P., and the officers and non-commissioned officers of his regiment, at the Town Hall.

Sept. 19th. The new three-masted schooner “Eunice” launched from Messrs. Fellows and Son’s yard. Dimensions—156 ft. over all; beam, 24 ft.; depth of hold, 13 ft.; registered tonnage, 260 tons.

Sept. 20th. The war ships “Northumberland,” “Sultan,” and “Monarch” anchored in the Roads, but left again on the 23rd.

Sept. 23rd. Lieut. F. A. Newington, R.M.L.I., of H.M.S. “Sultan,” after leaving a ball at the Town Hall, jumped into the river and rescued from drowning two women who had fallen overboard while in the act of landing from the steamtug “Victoria,” at 3.30 a.m. A public subscription amounting to £47 5s. 6d. was afterwards got up, and Mr. Newington was presented with a breach-loading gun, value £34, and an illuminated testimonial, for his bravery; on Nov. 17th he was also presented with a sword by the officers of his ship.

Oct. 1st. First annual meeting of the Young Men’s Christian Association held at the Town Hall.

Oct. 7th. Sir Thos. W. B. Proctor Beauchamp, Bart., died at Langley Park, aged 59.

Oct. 18th. The Rev. T. Allnut, after eight years’ ministration in Gorleston, preached his farewell sermons at St. Andrew’s Church, in that Parish. On May 14th, 1875, was instituted to the Rectory and Parish Church of Stibbard, Norfolk.

Oct. 19th. The smack “Alert,” of this port, run into by the full-rigged ship “Edith,” in the North Sea, and foundered. Two hands were drowned.

Oct. 20th. Mr. W. J. Lincoln appointed Town Hall keeper in place of Mr. G. Harvey, resigned.

Oct. 29th. The settlement of the Rev. Arthur Peaton, as Unitarian Minister at the Old Meeting, Middlegate Street, in the place of the late Rev. R. Shelley, decided by a public meeting.

Oct. H. R. Harmer, Esq., captured, on Hoveton Broad, a pike 8 ft. 1 in. in length, and weighing 15 lbs. It was presented to the Mayor.

Oct. The Misses Pearson and MacLaughlin received the War Medal granted by the Emperor of Germany. (See Sept., 1870.)

Nov. 7th. The Lowestoft, Yarmouth, and Southtown Tramway Company wound up by order of the Master of the Rolls.

Nov. 9th. C. C. Aldred, Esq., elected an Alderman, in the place of W. Laws, Esq., resigned.

Nov. 11th. Mr. William Webb passed his final examination before the Incorporated Law Society as an attorney and solicitor.

Nov. 12th. N. G. Barthropp, Esq., died, aged 60.

Nov. 16th. Mr. R. S. Steele presented with a handsome marble timepiece and a purse of three guineas by the Forester Brotherhood (Court Crown and Anchor), in appreciation of services as secretary.

Nov. 27th. The tenders of Mr. Davey (£276) and Messrs. Warner and Loup, of Ipswich (£688), for constructing a hot-water apparatus at the Workhouse, were accepted by the Guardians.

Nov. 29th. The fishing boat “William and Charles” lost off Winterton.

Dec. 11th. The smack “Rosa” came ashore in a gale near the Britannia Pier, where she became a total wreck. The crew were saved.

Dec. 14th. James Morris Hill, Adjutant 1st Administrative Brigade N.A.V., and late Major Military Train, died at Southtown, aged 51, and was interred with military honours in Gorleston churchyard. Deceased served in the Kaffir war in 1845, and received subsequently several marks of honour for his services abroad.

Dec. 17th. Mr. Edward Smyth, eldest son of the late E. H. L. Preston, Esq., died at Seaford, aged 37.

Dec. 17th. The Right Hon. Lord George John Sondes (4th baron), Lord High Steward of the Borough for 20 years, and also Deputy-Lieut. and J.P. for the County, died at Elmham Hall, Norfolk, aged 80, and his remains interred in Elmham Churchyard.

Dec. 21st. 17,724 lasts of herrings landed dining the season at the Fishwharf.

Dec. 23rd. The dandy cutter “Ben Nevis” foundered in Hollosley Bay. Crew saved.

Dec. The smack “Ace of Trumps” launched from Messrs. Hastings’ yard.

Dec. About 12 acres of Corporation land on the South Denes accepted by the Government at £100 per acre, for making Yarmouth a Military Depôt Centre, but was never established. (See Nov., 1875.)

Dec. The removal of the Parish Church organ to the north and south aisles of the chancel, estimated to cost £1,000.

The returns of the weight of fish carried from Yarmouth by the Great Eastern Railway this year were 27,517 tons, as against 20,399 tons in 1860; 27,222 in 1861; 28,346 in 1862; 31,947 in 1863; 34,432 in 1864; 22,764 in 1869; 26,894 in 1870; 31,898 in 1871; 27,400 in 1872; and 27,864 in 1878. The railway books containing the returns from 1865 to 1868 were destroyed by fire.

1875.

Jan. 4th. The closing of the Gaol and sending all prisoners to Norwich, by order of the Home Secretary, reported.

Jan. 5th. Mr. R. W. Durrell, organist, presented with a silver watch by the Gorleston Congregationalists, in recognition of his services; and on the 27th, Mr. and Mrs. Durrell were presented with an electro-plated cream jug and a pair of sugar tongs, as the remaining articles required to complete a previously-subscribed service.

Jan. 7th and 8th. Two consecutive explosions of oxygen gas, used in the pantomime of _Ali Baba_, took place at the Theatre Royal, but little damage was done to the building.

Jan. 8th. Board of Trade Inquiry at the Police Court into the circumstances attending the stranding and abandonment of the oak-built brigantine “Effort” on the 23rd of Dec. last. The vessel (160 tons register) was built at Yarmouth in 1830, and had at the time of her abandonment on the Cross Sand 120 tons of coal on board.

Jan. 11th. Jas. Cobb, Esq., solicitor, died, aged 84.

Jan. 13th. Mr. Joseph Fleming Neave, a late member of the Town Council, died at the age of 59.

Jan. 18th. The new St. Andrew’s Hall at Gorleston opened by the then Mayor (R. D. Barber, Esq.) at a public entertainment. This hall, built by a company, and situate in Now Street, is 60 ft. long by 40 ft. wide. It was sold to Mr. Bellamy in 1884.

Jan. 19th. The schooner “Shamrock,” of this port, struck on Scroby Sand, and subsequently foundered. Value of the vessel and cargo, £500.

Jan. 19th. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., elected by the Corporation to the office of High Steward in the place of the late Lord Sondes. A counter proposal that the Marquis of Salisbury, D.C.L., Secretary of State for India, be appointed, was negatived by 22 to 4.

Feb. 1st. Stormy meeting at Town Hall on the question of the School Board formation, and subsequently many other public meetings in various parts of the borough.

Feb. 16th. First election of a School Board for Yarmouth, and though 26 gentlemen were nominated, but 24 went to the poll, the greatest excitement being manifested as to the returns, which were published the next morning, as follows:—S. J. F. Stafford, 3,975; G. Baker, 3,149; D. Tomkins, 2,672; Rev. A. Peaton, 2,615; C. H. S. Geake, 2,411; J. Bracey, 2,131; T. P. Burroughs, 2,060; R. E. Dowson, 2,041; J. W. de Caux, 1,884; E. P. Youell, 1,858; and J. H. Orde, 1,827. The total number of persons polled was 9,901, and the votes given 39,295. The above gentlemen were elected for three years. (See May 28th.) On Mr. Burroughs resigning in 1876, Mr. H. E. Buxton took his seat.

Feb. 23rd. Four of Messrs. Watling and Son’s vessels sold by auction, and realised the following prices:—“Mary,” £890; “Isis,” £390; “Kate,” £385; and “John Wrey,” £340.

Feb. 24th. The schooner “Jessie Brown,” of this port, stranded on Scroby, but her cargo of 1,425 bags of flour (16 st. each) kept the vessel afloat.

Feb. F. D. Palmer, Esq., elected a Vice-President of the Legal Practitioners’ Society, London.

March 1st. First meeting of the School Board held at the Tolhouse Hall. Mr. J. H. Orde elected chairman, and Mr. D. Tomkins vice-chairman for three years.

March 2nd. Messrs. Massey and Norton obtained consent to a lease from Michaelmas, 1876, for 999 years, of a piece of ground north of the Britannia Pier—430 ft. by 100 ft.—for the purpose of making an Aquarium, &c., at an estimated cost of £60,000, which was confirmed by the Council on the 9th.

March 2nd. Action at the Police Court—Board of Trade _v._ Mr. Garson Blake—to recover costs for surveying the “True Blue,” £24 18s. Judgment for the Crown with costs.

March 2nd. Mr. Francis Sutton, of Norwich, appointed by the Council as a public analyst for the borough.

March 9th. Heavy gale and serious loss of life and property. The schooner “Elizabeth” and all hands lost near the Barber Sand.

March 19th. The brig “Tweedside” and the iron brig “Robert Anderson” collided in St. Nicholas’ Gat, causing the former to founder. Crew saved.

March 25th. The Yarmouth and Gorleston Tramway opened to the public by the Mayor, and a luncheon afterwards given at the Star Hotel, in celebration of the event.

March 25th. Number of wherries registered with the Norfolk Port and Haven Commissioners during the past year was 112, of the total burthen of 1,963 tons, being an increase of 93 tons on the year.

March 25th. From this date to June 14th, the total number of passengers conveyed by the tram cars to and from Gorleston was 95,912.

March 27th. The brig “Thirteen,” of Sunderland, struck on the Cross Sand in a heavy sea, and both vessel and cargo, value £1,100 and £350 respectively, foundered. The crew were gallantly rescued by the Caister lifeboatmen.

March. The Rev. E. M. Sanderson, M.A., senior curate of the Parish, presented by the Lord Chancellor to the living of Weston St. Mary, near Spalding, worth £300 a year.

April 1st. The “Ernestine,” a full-rigged Dutch East-Indiaman, of 1,296 tons, with a crew of 27 hands, and having 2,000 tons of coal on board, struck on Hasbro’ Sands, but was got off by the aid of five tugs and another steam vessel the next day, after 800 tons of coal had been thrown overboard. Value of ship and cargo, £7,162. On June 24th the Admiralty Court awarded £1,800., i.e., £1,000 to beachmen and £800 to steamers.

April 2nd. Mr. C. H. Wiltshire selected Clerk to the School Board, out of ten candidates nominated.

April 5th. Last meeting held in the old Primitive Methodist Chapel, Priory Plain. (See Sept., 1850.)

April 8th. Bradwell Church (St. Nicholas’) re-opened after £750 had been expended in restoring the fabric and interior fittings. This church, dating from the 14th century, consists of nave, north and south aisles, chancel, south porch, and round tower at west end.

April 9th. Mr. William Laws, after serving as a Guardian of the Poor for 25 years, retired from the Board, at the age of three score and ten.

May 1st. The smack “Harkaway” lost on the Barber Sand. Value £600.

May 7th. A paper balloon sent up at the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, fell at Belton same evening.

May 18th. Contracts for enclosing additional ground to New Cemetery, amounting to £3,086—viz., brickwork, £2,230, stone-work, £286, palisading, &c., £520—accepted by the Corporation, the work to be completed by 29th Sept. (See June 9th, 1875, and Sept. 7th, 1876.)

May 18th. The whaling ship “Labrador,” from the Arctic Seas, anchored in the Roadstead.

May 20th. Mr. G. W. Bond, of Pulham, Norfolk, was elected House Surgeon at the Great Yarmouth Hospital; _vice_ Dr. Murrell, resigned.

May 20th. The foundation stone of the new Baptist Tabernacle on the Lowestoft Road, at Gorleston, laid by J. Edwards, Esq., of London. The building, of ornamental brick, cost about £600, and will accommodate 800 persons.

May 28th. The Returning Officer’s account for the newly-appointed School Board was £220 11s. 7d., but the Educational Department finally decided (Sept.) that £178 9s. 2d. was sufficient.

May. Petition forwarded to the Commissioners of Charities for England and Wales against the appointment of new Charity Trustees for this town, but on June 7th there was an excitable meeting at the Town Hall, called “for the purpose of considering the present position of the Children’s Hospital and other local charities, and the nomination of new trustees in conjunction with the existing five trustees—Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., and C. C. Aldred, B. Jay, W. Johnson, and J. Palmer, Esqs.” July 28th, the Commissioners “concurred in the annual publication of local charity accounts,” and thought 15 trustees sufficient. In July, 1876, the Charity Commissioners appointed them as follows: The Vicar (for the time being), and W. Worship, R. S. Watling, T. B. Steward, H. E. Buxton, R. H. I. Palgrave, J. Bracey, C. H. Wiltshire, W. J. Foreman, and T. P. Burroughs, Esqs.

June 8th and 9th. Frank Buckland, Esq., Inspector of Salmon Fisheries, held an inquiry at the Town Hall, as to “the state of the crab, lobster, and other sea fisheries along this coast, with a view of preserving them for the future.” On Nov. 16th, 1863, Commissioners Caird, M.P., Lefevre, M.P., and Dr. Huxley held an inquiry here on the same subject, but saw no reason for legislative measures.

June 9th. The memorial stone of the new Cemetery laid by the Mayor. (See May 18th.)

June. The total cost of pauperism last year was—out-relief, £2,855, in-maintenance, £2,131—total, £4,986. For the previous year, £5,272. East and West Fleggs for first-named period, £855.

June 14th. Mr. Edward Owen (37), a native of Shrewsbury, schoolmaster and local preacher, in travelling from Yarmouth to Gorleston, accidentally fell while in the act of jumping from a tram-car in which he was riding, and the injuries received resulted fatally. Deceased had resided in Gorleston for six years. A public subscription of £100 was raised for his widow and four children.

June 15th. Two new smacks—“Albatross” and “Terrier”—launched from Messrs. Beechings’ shipyard.

June 22nd. The four chief stones of the Temple, Priory Plain, laid by Messrs. J. Riches, F. Salmon, J. W. Neave, and A. J. N. Chamberlin. A tea for 1,000 persons was served in the Drill Hall, and a public meeting held in the King Street Congregational Chapel. (See Aug. 3rd, 1874.)

June 22nd. The principal stone of the Walrond Smack-Boys’ Home laid by Vice-Admiral Sir John Walter Tarleton, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty’s Naval Reserve. The promoter (Rev. A. T. Walrond) died on Oct. 2nd, 1873, but the family raised £1,000 toward the building fund. (See Feb. 15th, 1876.)

June 23rd. The marriage between the Rev. E. M. Sanderson, M.A., and Miss Eveline Mary Venables (only daughter of the Vicar of this parish) solemnized with much festivity.

June 24th. The Yarmouth Gaol, after this date, to be used only as a lock-up for prisoners on remand, by order of the Home Secretary.

June 28th. Colour-Sergeant Chipperfield presented, at the New Royal Standard Tavern, with a marble timepiece by the officers and men of the D Company of Rifle Volunteers, as a memento of their esteem on his retirement and promotion to the office of Paymaster-Sergeant, after 15 years’ service.

June 29th. Mr. Hitchman Hammond, a late member of the Town Council, died, aged 46 years.

June 30th. Smack “William and Ann” launched from the yard of Messrs. S. K. Smith and Sons.

June 30th. The opening of St. Andrew’s Church, Gorleston, after its complete restoration, was commemorated by a full choral service and sermons by the Rev. George Venables, S.C.L., and the Rev. — Gibson, of Lound. The new pulpit was the gift of E. W. Bell, Esq.

June. Mr. E. W. Worlledge, solicitor (second son of John Worlledge, Esq., County Court Judge of this district, and Chancellor of the Diocese), appointed joint Registrar of Yarmouth County Court.

June. Dr. Macleod, of Yarmouth Naval Hospital, promoted to the rank of Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets; and Sub-Lieut. F. C. N. Knox to Lieut. in 2nd or East Norfolk Regiment.

July 6th. Full choral service held at the Parish Church at the re-opening of the fine old organ, after being removed, thoroughly repaired, and additional stops added by Messrs. Bishop and Son, of London. (See 1733, Jan. 25th, 1869, and Feb. 23rd, 1870.) The organ is now divided into two parts, and placed in the Chancel 60 ft. apart. They contain 280 motor, and the same number of pneumatic tubes for conveying the wind to the manuals, supplied by two low and one high pressure bellows. The number of stops is 48, and of sounding pipes about 3,100, viz., Great Organ CC to G, 56 notes 17 stops; Swell Organ CC to G, 17 stops; Choir Organ CC to G, 10 stops; north Pedal Organ CCC to F, 30 notes; south Pedal CCC to F, 30 notes; 7 couplers and 10 composition pedals.

July 13th. Mr. A. J. B. Howes’ tender of £385 accepted by the Corporation for erecting the Fish Wharf master’s house; the same contractor on Aug. 17th was appointed to alter the Refreshment Depôt at the Fish Wharf, at the cost of £145.

July 17th. A horse belonging to Mr. H. H. Gambling backed into the river near the Bridge, and was drowned.

July. The Norfolk Militia Artillery received the honour of being called “The Prince of Wales’ Own Regiment of Norfolk Artillery Militia,” H.R.H. the Prince of Wales being the Hon. Colonel.

July 19th. Richard Mann, Esq., died at Ditchingham, Suffolk, aged 72. Deceased was a County Magistrate and a member of the Port and Haven Commission for Suffolk. Mr. James Peto, of Lowestoft, was elected in Oct. a Commissioner in place of the above-named gentleman.

July 22nd. Public meeting at the Town Hall on the question of establishing an Aquarium at Yarmouth and for obtaining local co-operation in the project. A committee of 17 gentlemen was appointed. It was subsequently published that the capital required was £100,000, to be raised in shares of £5 each. The cost of the whole building would be £75,000, leaving £25,000 not called up. The Aquarium and Skating Rink would cost about £23,000, and a public hall to hold 3,000 people—194 ft. by 60 ft.—£30,000. (See March 2nd, Oct. 9th, and Nov. 3rd.)

July 24th. The French gunboat “Cuvier” with four guns and crew of 75 hands, put into Yarmouth Roadstead.

July 28th. Rev. T. W. Harrison, late of Yarmouth, instituted to the vicarage of Christ Church, Luton, Beds, by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese.

July 30th. A hoax, resembling somewhat the evergreen Cromer hoax of Sept. 2nd, 1868, apparently perpetrated. On the first occasion, large bills were previously posted over the town, representing that on this eventful day “a fine commodious steamer,” with every comfort and convenience, named the “Isis,” from London, would take excursionists on a day’s pleasure to Cromer and back, at the reasonable charge of 2s. 6d. a head. Tickets to be procured before Wednesday, the 2nd. About £14 worth—_i.e._ 112—were disposed of, and the money handed over to the “enterprising swindler.” Intending passengers waited long and patiently on the Jetty and Beach on the morning in question, but the steamer never came to view, and our townspeople retired home the wiser for their bought experience. On a later occasion, however, a steamer _did_ go to Cromer, but left some 40 or 50 of her passengers to get home as best they could overland, owing to a heavy sea running.

July. Dr. Hubert Airy visited Yarmouth, by order of the Local Government Board, to enquire into the cause of zymotic diseases then prevalent. He issued his report with numerous suggestions in Nov.

Aug. 2nd. The barque “Ponda Chief,” named after a Kaffir tribe in Africa, one of the finest vessels ever built in Yarmouth, and the longest by some six or eight ft., launched from Messrs. Fellows’ ship-yard. Dimensions—140 ft. long, 28 ft. beam, 14 ft. 6 in. deep, and 416 tons register. A luncheon was afterwards given at the Crown and Anchor.

Aug. 3rd. (Regatta day.) The armour-plated corvette “Favorite,” of 2,094 tons and 400-horse power, got on Scroby Sand, but came off with the flood tide.

Aug. 10th. The War Department applied for additional ground, 2a. 3r. 0p., for the Military Centre Depôt, on the South Denes, at £100 per acre, but it was decided by the Council (Aug. 17th) not to dispose of the land for less than £500 for the two acres.

Aug. 11th. The new carrier-cutter “Flower of the Fleet” launched from Messrs. S. K. Smith and Son’s yard.

Aug. 17th. The Council were apprised by a letter from the Lord Chancellor’s Secretary, that Henry Teasdel, John Bracey, Robert Veale, and Robert Henry Inglis Palgrave, Esqs., had been appointed Justices of the Peace for the Borough.