Part 14

Aug. 31st. An extraordinary race horse named Skardo jumped over the iron railings in _front_ of the Town Hall, dashed into an iron gate, which was carried away, then crossing the garden to the south side in its mad career, knocked down the two entrance-gates; also several feet of iron railings across the road, but the force of the blow against the wall of Messrs. Fenner and Suffling’s office overpowered the animal. It has since won several races, and the fame of Skardo (_alias_ Iron Duke) will be handed down to posterity among the wonders of the past.

Aug. 31st. Collision in the Tyne between the steamer “Glanabanta,” of Newcastle, and the schooner “Second Adventure,” of Lynn, the latter being sunk and the crew drowned. (See Jan. 23rd, 1876.)

Aug. 31st. Messrs. G. T. Clough and J. Bonnick accomplished, on bicycles, the journey from London to Yarmouth, 122 miles, in 17½ hours, or 12¼ hours exclusive of the 5¼ hours they stopped for refreshments. They left Bow at 4 a.m., and arrived here at 9.30 p.m. The same two gentlemen on Sept. 3rd completed 120 miles homeward in 11h. 55m., exclusive of 4h. 25m. stoppage.

Sept. 3rd. The cost for purchasing property and widening the Market Gates, up to this date, was £1,446 4s.; £1,400 being borrowed at 4 per cent. on mortgage of the General District Rates.

Sept. 6th. The new smack “Huntsman” launched from Mr. H. Critten’s yard. Length, 55 ft. over all; depth of hold, 7 ft. 4 in.; beam, 16 ft. 8 in.

Sept. 9th. The new organ in St. George’s Park (Baptist) Chapel opened. The instrument, built by Mr. W. C. Mack, contains 318 pipes, and one row of manuals, 54 notes, from CC to F, and 1½ octave of German pedals, from CCC to F. Five stops are in general swell. The cost, including alterations in fixing, was £200. (See Aug. 8th, 1872.)

Sept. 20th. Revs. W. J. Blake and H. J. Bode, B.A., were licensed as curates for Yarmouth, the Revs. R. V. Barker and E. R. Adams being about to be removed. (See Oct. 29th.)

Sept. 26th. One boat brought in 1,600 mackerel caught off the coast, which sold at 2d. each.

Sept. 28th. The deliveries of herrings up to this date far below those of last year and less than in 1873.

Sept. 30th. The body of a male child discovered in a rain-water cistern, after five or six months, on the premises of D. Meadows, Esq., surgeon, King Street, which was subsequently proved to have been illegitimate, and concealed by a maid-servant.

Oct. 7th. The Rev. Samuel Hurst, of Southtown, died very suddenly at Corton, near Lowestoft, aged 80. The deceased gentleman was much esteemed for his liberality to local charities.

Oct. 9th. A dead porpoise, weighing 70lbs., found on Breydon, and sold for 1s. to a smacksman.

Oct. 9th. The foundation-stone of the Aquarium laid by Lord Suffield, the ceremony being attended by the Mayor and other members of the Corporation, and a large concourse of spectators. The band of the P.W.O. Norfolk Militia Artillery played at intervals. A luncheon was afterwards spread at the Town Hall, to which about 100 gentlemen sat down, including the Mayor (R. D. Barber, Esq.) and Deputy-Mayor; Lord Suffield, Hon. F. Walpole, M.P., Colonel Duff, and the officials of the Aquarium Society. (See Sept. 5th, 1876.)

Oct. 10th. The smack “Notre Dame,” of this port, lost in a gale about 10 miles S. W. of the Newark lightship. Crew saved.

Oct. 10th. The smack “Vixen” lost three hands whilst ferrying fish to a steamer.

Oct. 14th. The Baptist Tabernacle at Gorleston opened. It is of white brick, and of the Italian order. The interior measures 57 ft by 31 ft. (See May 20th.)

Oct. 17th and 23rd. Very heavy gales. The barque “Young England,” of Middlesbro’, struck on the Cockle Sand and foundered (on the 20th), and 12 out of a crew of 17 were unfortunately drowned.

Oct. 21st. The trawler “Surf” launched from Messrs. Beeching’s yard. Dimensions—Length, 66 ft.; beam, 18½ ft.; depth of hold, 8½ ft.

Oct. 22nd. Captain William Bugg, of the schooner “Eliza Jane,” and his wife, walked over the quay-head near the Gorleston Ferry, in the dark, and were drowned, and a third person had a narrow escape.

Oct. 23rd. The brigantine “Saucy Jack,” belonging to Mr. G. Blake, of this port, run ashore opposite the Coastguard Station, and became a total wreck. The vessel was built in 1841, and valued at £500. Wreckage sold for £38.

Oct. A handsome specimen of the Maigre (_Sciæna aquila_) caught off Yarmouth. The fish was 4 ft. 9 in. long, and weighed 75 lbs. It is a Mediterranean fish, and seldom caught on the English coast.

Oct. 27th. Public meeting in the Town Hall to consider the projected Railway from Yarmouth to Stalham, at a cost of £70,000, the land alone being calculated to cost £13,000. The total length of the light line to be 22 miles, and pass through and near to 37 parishes. On Nov. 9th the Council accorded their approval of the whole scheme.

Oct. 27th. Captain William Swann Stanford, five years pier-master of this port, and eight years previously harbour-master, died suddenly at Gorleston.

Oct. 29th. Sale of six smacks by auction, late the property of Mr. R. Galleway, realised £3,105.

Oct. 29th. The Rev. E. R. Adams presented with a case of four elegant silver salt stands, by the congregation of St. Andrew’s; and on Nov. 1st was presented with a pair of silver fish carvers in morocco leather case, by the Sunday School Teachers.

Oct. 29th. Charles Diver, Esq., tendered his resignation as Town Clerk of the Borough. (See Nov. 30th and Dec. 16th.)

Nov. 3rd. Gallant lifeboat services rendered by the Caister beachmen. The brigantine “Harmston” lost on the Middle Cross Sand, but the crew of seven, who were in the rigging for several hours during a very heavy sea, were ultimately hauled through the surf to the lifeboat and saved. Up to 1874 the Caister boatmen, about 40 in number, had launched their boats on 122 occasions, and had rescued 541 lives. A public subscription was opened in Nov. through the exertions of the Misses Morton. (See Dec. 25th.)

Nov. 3rd. At a general meeting of the Shareholders of the Yarmouth Aquarium Society (Limited), held in London, Lord Suffield, K.C.B., Colonel Edward Money, and T. A. Masey, I. Strutt, and J. H. Orde, Esqs., were appointed the Executive Committee of Directors. It was stated at this meeting that the contractors, Messrs. Chas. Aldin and Sons, offered to take shares to the amount of £20,000, and that the contemplated outlay up to the date of opening would be about £35,000. In July the subscriptions amounted to £21,865.

Nov. 7th. Thirty-five large sound codfish captured in the Roadstead with hook and line by two men.

Nov. 9th. First school under the School Board opened at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Gorleston; on Nov. 26th the Yarmouth Temporary Grammar School was hired; and in Jan., 1877, the new Cobholm Island and Gorleston Schools were opened.

Nov. 11th. A conveyance made out to Her Majesty’s principal Secretary of State for the War Department of land and hereditaments situate on the South Denes for the purpose of a Military Depôt Centre, and release of certain rights. Purchase money, £1,635, was sealed by the Committee. (See Dec., 1874.)

Nov. 11th. Heavy rainfall; no less than 120 tons per acre fell in 24 hours.

Nov. 13th. Frederic Graham Lacon, late of the 17th Regiment of Foot, of Tharston, Norfolk, only son of John Edmund Lacon, Esq., died at Madeira, aged 26 years.

Nov. 13th. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P.’s, brougham overturned near the Workhouse, the horse having become frightened and bolted, and although the coachman was much hurt, the baronet escaped with only a severe shaking.

Nov. 14th. Floods and much destruction of property throughout the country. There were 18 feet of water on the bar at our harbour, _i.e._, 9 feet more than the usual flood. The schooner “Elizabeth and Susan,” of this port, was lost off the Humber, and much damage done to fishing craft and shipping generally.

Nov. 17th. Mr. H. Stonex, organist of the Parish Church, presented, in the Record Room of the Town Hall, with a purse of £81, subscribed by the parishioners of the town as a token of respect.

Nov. 19th and 20th. Very heavy gale and serious loss of life and property. The schooner “Wild Wave” (95 tons), of Sunderland, laden with 600,000 bottles, run on to Caister beach (after fouling with the Cockle lightship) and two hands—master and boy—were washed off the rigging and drowned.

Not. 21st. A daring Scotchman, named Watson, again climbed through the caryatides outside the Nelson Monument of the roof, and after embracing the figure of Britannia, &c., descended by the lightning conductor wire outside, 144 feet, to the amazement of several spectators. (See 1863.)

Nov. 23rd. Mr. Edward Cattermole resigned the office of librarian at the Public Library, which he had held 15 years. (See Dec. 9th.)

Nov. 26th. The Rev. A. J. Spencer presented by the congregation of St. James’ with a silver pocket Communion service and some volumes of books, as tokens of regard.

Nov. 27th. A tar tank, containing about 50,000 gallons, on the works of Mr. Davy, Cobholm Island, burst, and the tar ran about in huge streams.

Nov. 30th. A Committee of the Town Council accepted Mr. Charles Diver’s resignation as Town Clerk of the Borough, the term to expire on Jan. 3rd, 1876. (See Dec. 16th.)

Nov. 30th. The smack “Chosen” ran ashore near the North Pier.

Nov. The Rev. R. V. Barker, M.A., presented previous to his leaving Yarmouth for a sojourn through the Holy Land, with a silver salver, silver tobacco jar, gold pencil case, and a box of mathematical instruments, by the congregation, Bible Class, and teachers and scholars of St. John’s Church.

Nov. The original manuscript of “Manship’s History of Yarmouth” found by the Rev. A. Peaton, at an old book shop in Bury St. Edmunds.

Nov. The “Perlustration of Great Yarmouth,” in three vols., by Charles John Palmer, Esq., F.S.A., printed and published by Mr. George Nall. It is an illustrated work of 1,282 quarto pages.

Nov. Mr. W. Saville Kent, F.L.S., F.Z.S., appointed Naturalist and Manager of the Aquarium.

Dec. 2nd. The schooner “Tantivy” of this port went ashore on Kessingland beach during a dense snowstorm.

Dec. 2nd. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution voted a silver medal and its thanks on vellum to Philip George, coxswain of the Caister Lifeboats; and to S. Bishop, chief boatman of H.M. Coastguard, at Caister, for their bravery in saving three of the crew of the “Wild Wave.” The Institution voted £10 for the others who rendered assistance. (See Dec. 25th.)

Dec. 4th. Another tug, named “Reliance,” struck the sunken wreck of the steamer “Gladstone,” off Hasbro’, and was run on to Eccles beach, where she became a wreck. Valued at £3,500; but insured for only £2,000. Crew saved. The hull was subsequently sold for £140. (See Nov. 14th, 1871.)

Dec. 4th. The schooner “X. L.,” of Goole, lost on Winterton beach; also two hands.

Dec. 5th. The billyboy “Three Anns” driven among the breakers off Gorleston, and the crew rescued by the lifeboat “Ranger.”

Dec. 6th. The Corporation resolved to erect a Contagious Disease Hospital next the Workhouse, at a cost of £500, and £200 for an enclosing wall, 200 ft. square by 7 ft. high. A contract of £1,050 was afterwards accepted.

Dec. 6th. Captain R. J. C. Day, harbour master of Ipswich, appointed as Pier Master by the Port and Haven Commission at a salary of £150 and residence.

Dec. 9th. Mr. C. Hall appointed librarian of the Public Library. (See Nov. 23rd.)

Dec. 16th. Mr. T. M. Baker appointed by the Town Council as Town Clerk, at a salary of £450 a year.

Dec. 21st. The returns of herrings landed at the Fishwharf during the season from Aug. 23rd to above date were 11,850 lasts and 2,600 fish. (18,200 to the last.)

Dec. 24th. Lord Hastings died at Calicut, Bombay, aged 20 years.

Dec. 25th. The sum of £197 2s. subscribed as a testimonial for the Caister Company of beachmen, for their bravery at the wreck of the “Wild Wave,” on Nov. 19th, and many former acts of daring in rescuing shipwrecked crews. On Jan. 4th the money was distributed, each of the 40 men receiving four guineas tied up in blue satin bags. (See Nov. 3rd.)

Dec. 26th. Edward Reynolds Aldred, Esq., J.P., died at Southtown, aged 68 years.

Dec. 29th. The new smack “Gem,” belonging to Mr. W. H. Stanley, of Southtown, launched from Messrs. J. and F. Mack’s yard.

Dec. 30th. Singular freak of a horse ridden by Mr. F. Danby Palmer. The animal having thrown his rider, bolted towards the sea, into which it dashed, and swam out with considerable energy for nearly a mile and a half, towards Scroby, when it was captured by some boatmen, and brought safely to shore again.

1876.

Jan. 3rd. Quarter Sessions. No prisoners for trial, a maiden session not having occurred for more than 20 years, the Mayor presented the Recorder with a pair of white kid gloves.—R. H. I. Palgrave, Esq., qualified as a magistrate for the Borough.

Jan. 4th. Arthur George Thompson (22), incautiously walked on an overhanging cornice at the top of the new Temple, Priory Plain, from which he fell 45 feet to the ground and was killed. The falling _débris_ so injured Thomas Kirk as to result fatally.

Jan. 6th. Five of Mr. Malden’s smacks sold for £2,775.

Jan. 6th. Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball at Town Hall.

Jan. 10th. A woman (73), named Hannah Ives, was brutally murdered with a spade by an insane woman, named Swatman, at Belton.

Jan. 13th. Fire in the Card-room of the Town Hall, under the hearthstone, and damage done to the extent of £15 or £16.

Jan. 19th. The smack “Charley,” belonging to Mr. Alfred Fisher, launched from Mr. Fellows’ yard.

Jan. 20th. Marriage of Reginald Thorsby Gwyn, Esq., Captain of the 4th King’s Own Royals, and Adjutant of the 4th Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, with Miss Mary Joanna Farr, youngest daughter of Isaac Preston, Esq.

Jan. 23rd. Collision in the Roadstead, about 1 p.m., between the s.s. “Glanabanta” (Capt. Ablitt, of Yarmouth) and the s.s. “Transit.” The latter, with a crew of 21 all told, of Dieppe (described in the _Veritas_ to be 548 tons gross, 373 tons net [French], engines 90 h.p., and built at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1871), was laden with 120 tons of coal and a general cargo of 290 tons, comprising machinery, silk, cotton, and light manufactures, valued between £30,000 and £40,000. The “Transit” was run on to the beach, opposite Trafalgar Road, where her hull still (1884) remains. The “Glanabanta” claimed £5,000 damages; but in a cross action the “Transit” claimed heavier damages, as the loss was computed to be £50,000. In the High Court of Admiralty, Sir R. Phillimore ruled that the “Transit” was alone to blame for the collision; but on an appeal in the High Court of Justice, Lord Justice Baggallay reversed the decision. The salvors were awarded £2,000.

Jan. 23rd. The Rev. Mangan, D.D., LL.D., late Dean of Limerick, after being appointed evening lecturer at St. Peter’s Church, preached his first sermon.

Jan. 26th. The cabin of the brigantine “William Crow,” whilst in harbour, caught fire, and damage was done to the extent of about £200.

Feb. 3rd. First “Spelling Bee” entertainment held in Yarmouth.

Feb. 15th. The Walrond Smack-Beys’ Home opened by Earl Nelson. (See June 22nd, 1875.) This Gothic building cost with fittings about £2,000, and will accommodate about 40 boys.

Feb. 21st. Mr. William Laws, as superintendent of St. Nicholas’ Sunday School since 1844, presented with several testimonials previous to his leaving for Beccles.

Feb. 22nd. East Suffolk Election. Lord Mahon having been elevated to the House of Peers on the death of his father, his seat in Parliament for East Suffolk became vacant, and Lieut.-Colonel St. John Barne (C.) and Charles Easton, Esq. (L.), contested for the seat. Poll—Colonel Barne, 3,659; Mr. Easton, 2,708—majority, 951. Colonel Barne’s election cost £4,140, and Mr. Easton’s £2,312.

Feb. 23rd. Fire at Mr. John Harris’ pipe manufactory, Priory Plain. Damage about £150.

Feb. 23rd and 24th. Sir Randal Roberts, Bart., appeared at the Theatre Royal, and impersonated “Charles Devereux” in the comedietta _Under a Veil_, written by himself; and on the 25th and 26th he appeared as “Lieutenant Ringston, R.N.,” in _Naval Engagements_, with the Maitland Blue Beard Burlesque Company.

The Marine Drive widened 60 feet, between Britannia and Wellington Piers, a distance of 3,000 feet; cost, £2,500. (See April 22nd.)

A new gasometer (No. 3), capable of holding 63,000 cubic feet of gas, and its tank 406,350 gallons of water, was erected at the Southtown Gas Works, which, with other modern improvements, cost £5,000.

April 1st. The Hon. Frederick Walpole, of Rainthorpe Hall, Flordon, M.P. for North Norfolk, died in London. Deceased was third surviving son of the third Earl of Orford, and was born in 1822.

April 14th. Loss of the “Cygnet” and all hands.

April 18th. The full-rigged ship “Humboldt,” with 349 emigrants on board, ran on to Winterton Beach.

April 20th. The Rev. G. Merriman, M.A., presented with a gold watch, silver tea service, and a silver claret jug, by the St. James’ congregation.

April 21st. Lieutenant-Colonel James Duff elected a Member of Parliament for North Norfolk, in place of the Hon. F. Walpole, deceased. (See April 1st, 1876, and Nov. 26th, 1868.) Poll—Colonel Duff (C.), 2,302; Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart. (L.), 2,192; majority, 110. Out of the 6,231 voters on register, only 4,494 voted. Number on register in the Borough (including Runham), 1,980; number voted in Yarmouth, 1,380.

April 22nd. R. Morgan, Esq., C.E., Government Board Inspector, visited Yarmouth respecting the borrowing of £3,300 by the Corporation, for widening the Drive, &c.

April 23rd. Lady Elizabeth Susan Orde died at Hopton. She was eldest daughter of Henry Charles, sixth Duke of Beaufort, and born June 23rd, 1798.

April 28th. E. P. Youell, Esq., presented by the parishioners of Gorleston with a massive silver four-glass épergne, value £80, for his zealous exertions in connection with the restoration of Gorleston Church. (See Aug. 14th, 1871.)

May 9th. The Yarmouth brig “Tradesman” lost on the Normandy coast.

June 2nd. Meeting at the Town Hall resolved to have a four-dial clock in St. Peter’s Tower, which was placed there the same year.

June 8th. The Gt. Yarmouth Bowling Green opened.

June 13th. Vice-Admiral Thomas Lewis Gooch, youngest son of the late Sir Thomas Sherlock Gooch, Bart., died at Yarmouth, aged 69 years.

June 22nd. Capt. Wm. Holt, 16 years connected with the 2nd N.R.V., presented, on his retirement, with four elegantly-chased silver dessert spoons by the members of D. Company. (See Dec. 4th, 1883.)

July 8th. Heavy thunderstorm. The electric fluid struck the chimney and entered a cottage in the factory yard, disarranging and breaking the furniture and ornaments in the room; it also did damage to other property in the town, including some amount of destruction of property belonging to Mr. H. Harding, St. Nicholas’ Road, who had a large chimney knocked down and many squares of glass broken.

July 10th. Fire in Church Street, Gorleston. Six cottages burnt down, and three others partly destroyed. Nearly 40 men, women, and children rendered homeless for a time.

July 27th. The Yarmouth Temple dedicated for Divine worship before its completion. Interior dimensions, 72 feet by 52 feet; height, 35 feet. Cost £4,000; accommodates 1,100.

July. St. Peter’s Road footway laid with concrete.

Aug. 8th. Miss E. Pearson, of Yarmouth, and Miss MacLaughlin, left London for Servia, _via_ Vienna, their services as nurses to the sick and wounded in the Eastern war having been accepted by Archbishop Michael, at Belgrade. They were greeted by a torchlight procession on their arrival. (See Aug. 7th, 1871.)

Aug. 21st. The stallage, rents, and tolls in the Market and Fair let by auction for five years from Jan. 1st, 1877, to Messrs. Bower, of Leeds, for £925 per annum. (See Dec. 11th, 1871.) Some 13 years ago, the same lessees gave but £625 per annum.

Aug. 29th. A cyclone of great violence swept over some parts of this district, and carried trees, stacks, &c., away in its narrow track.

Aug. The Registrar-General’s returns show that the mortality of Yarmouth was 15 per 1,000—nine other places only out of 46 being lower.

Sept. 5th. The Yarmouth Aquarium opened to the public with much ceremony, and a _recherché_ luncheon was spread in the corridor.

Sept. 7th. Another new cemetery (No. 3) consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich. It comprises about ten acres. (See Oct. 18th, 1855.)

Sept. 7th and 8th. East of England Great Horse Fête held on Southtown Marshes.

Sept. 8th. Meeting at Town Hall protesting against the Turkish atrocities.

Sept. 11th. Mr. W. J. Lincoln presented with a handsome timepiece by the members of the Foresters’ Court “Star of the East” (2728). He had been 18 years secretary.

Sept. 24th. At 6.30 p.m., an extraordinary meteor, resembling a brilliant ball of fire and shooting stars, illuminated the heavens for several seconds.

Sept. 27th. Commander Horatio Nelson, R.N., son of the late Thomas Atkinson, master of the flag-ship “Victory” at Trafalgar, and godson of the late Admiral Lord Nelson, died at Yarmouth, aged 78.

Oct. 13th. H. E. Buxton, Esq., elected a member of the School Board in place of T. P. Burroughs, Esq., resigned.

Oct. At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, the Revs. R. J. Tacon (Rollesby), and T. J. Blofeld (Ormesby), and G. M. Beck, Esq. (Ormesby), qualified as County Magistrates.

Oct. 16th. Testimonials of £15 sterling—a richly-mounted walking stick, and a pipe—presented to pay-master-Sergt. Grier, on his leaving the E. N. Militia, after 22 years.

Oct. 19th. The screw gunboat “Cherub,” 60 h.p., and two guns, anchored in the Roadstead. Also the screw iron troopship “Assistance,” 1,300 h.p., and two guns, 2,037 tons burthen; and two Tyne gunboats, each having a 35-pounder.

Oct. 22nd. Heavy gale. Loss of the lugger “Cynthia,” and all hands.

Oct. 23rd. First burial in the new Cemetery—Samuel Mannall, many years in the Trinity service, aged 47.

Oct. 28th. A live stag found swimming at sea, over three miles from land. The crew of the smack “Gleaner” picked the animal up, and brought it safely to the Royal Hotel stables.

Nov. 5th. Mr. J. W. Parsley, smack owner, late of Greenwich, died at Gorleston, aged 46.

Nov. 8th. Schooner “Essex” driven ashore, and wrecked south of Gorleston Pier. On the 11th the brig “Vulcan” shared the same fate in the South Ham.

Nov. 15th. Mr. T. Elliot, of Ormesby, presented at the Aquarium with a testimonial—a handsome épergne or candelabrum, with a group of stags at the base—in acknowledgment of public services rendered to numerous charities.

Nov. 15th. Great Conservative Banquet held at the Drill Hall. About 600 guests present, including the members for North Norfolk, and Colonel Barne, M.P.

Nov. 17th. H. R. Harmer, Esq., appointed as Vestry Clerk without a poll, in place of the late Mr. S. Barnard Cory.

Nov. 23rd. Mr. W. Stockton, Master of the School of Navigation, presented with a travelling bag, completely fitted up, a silver pencil case, and set of gold studs, by his old pupils and friends, as a token of esteem.

Nov. The new steam tug “Comet,” built for the Yarmouth Star Steam Tug Company, arrived at this port.

Nov. Mr. Henry Spelman Palmer attained the degree of B.A. at the London University.

Nov. A patent wedge or railway key invented by Mr. James Gillings.

Nov. 29th. Mr. John Woodger, died, aged 63 years. Deceased was a member of the Yarmouth Corporation and Board of Guardians.