Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 41

Oct. 15th. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean, the celebrated Tragedians, appeared at the Theatre Royal in _The Wife's Secret_.

Oct. 26th. A short sun-fish caught on the North Beach. It was 4 ft. in length, and weighed about 11 stone. A fine specimen was also caught off Yarmouth in 1821.

Nov. 3rd. Frightful boiler explosion on board the steamer "Tonning," off Yarmouth.

Nov. 7th. Race by two herring traders-the brig "Susan Bailey," of Ipswich, and schooner "The Belle," of Brixton-from Yarmouth to Leghorn.

The latter arrived at her destination after a run of nearly 17 days, the "Susan Bailey" being two days behind her.

Nov. 10th. The brig "Eleanor," 300 tons register, launched in full rig from Messrs. Beeching's yard.

Dec. 28th. Melancholy occurrence at the Theatre, caused by the sudden death of Tom Algar, the clown, during the Christmas Pantomime. On Jan.

4th Mr. Owen, the manager, gave a benefit to the widow and orphans.

Dec. 29th (Sat.u.r.day). The town, in consequence of a hard frost, had the gas cut off from 5 p.m. till 9, and then only partially.

Dec. The Rev. Henry Ralph Nevill, M.A., nominated to the Honorary Canonry in the Cathedral Church in Norwich, vacated by the death of the Rev. W. M. Hanson.

Fish Depot, near the Jetty, erected.

The sum collected in Market Tolls this year was 220 12s., about the average for the last 22 years.

Parliamentary returns show that the number of houses in Yarmouth compounded for by landlords was 1,098, of the annual gross-rent of 6; and 229 at 7.

About 1,300 Voters on the Register this year.

1861.

Jan. 1st. Yarmouth specially appointed as one of the 32 Ports into which wine in casks was allowed to be imported, but the "testing" not permitted unless by special grant.

Jan. 6th to 11th. Colder weather than had been experienced in Yarmouth within living memory.

Jan. 15th. Meeting at the Town Hall for the relief of the poor in the town; 330 subscribed in the room.

Feb. 1st. "Iconoclast" lectured at the Theatre to a crowded house.

Subject, "What Must a Man Do to be Saved?" Admission, 6d. and 2d.

April 8th. Census taken. The returns were as follows: Population of Yarmouth, 13,207 males; 16,881 females-30,088. Gorleston and Southtown, 2,029 males; 2,456 females-4,485. Houses inhabited in Yarmouth, 6,861; uninhabited, 239; building, 73; inhabited in Gorleston and Southtown, 975.

April 13th. A detachment of the Royal Artillery, comprising 403 men, officers included, with 15 women and 19 children, arrived at the Armoury from Woolwich.

April 24th. The barque "Harmony," 300 tons register, or about 450 burthen, launched from Mr. H. Fellows' yard, after which a religious service was held on board. She was built for carrying Missionaries to Labrador, and was the second built by Mr. Fellows for the Moravian Mission, the one built in 1833 being of the same name.

May 20th and 21st. Riot in the town between the Royal Artillery and the E. N. Militia. About 100 men, armed with sabres, broke out of the Armoury, and rushed down the road towards the bridge like wild men, where several hundred civilians had congregated, but who fled before the soldiers, spreading terror in the neighbourhood. Tradesmen had to close their shops.

May 24th. Gable-end of a three-storey house, built on the site of the Convent of Blackfriars, in Friar's Lane, fell out from top to bottom.

May 29th. The Rev. James Tann, 14 years Pastor of the Particular Baptists of this town, died.

June 18th. Stormy meeting at the Town Hall respecting the election of a Vestry Clerk. The four following days a poll was taken, which resulted in the return of Mr. S. B. Cory by a majority of 233 votes. Cory, 856; Mr. C. H. Chamberlin, 623. Mr. Cory died in Oct. 1876. (See Aug. 16th, 1861, and Nov. 1876.)

June 23rd. Rev. H. Squire, Unitarian Minister of this town, terminated 30 years' Ministry. On Aug. 5th he was presented with a silver inkstand, value 30, by the members of the congregation. He died in London, Aug.

1869, aged 62.

June 30th. Comet first seen in Yarmouth. Its brightness and length of tail rivalled Donati's, which appeared in 1858.

June. Mons. A. A. Desfougerais appointed as French Maritime Consul and Agent in Yarmouth, by the French Government.

June. Mr. F. Danby Palmer pa.s.sed legal examination in honours, he being the first local candidate who obtained that distinction.

June. Lieutenant E. Leeds, R.A., instructor to the Artillery Volunteers, presented by the officers and men of the corps with a gold watch and chain, as a memento of their esteem.

July 6th. Sir Francis Palgrave, K.H., Deputy-Keeper of her Majesty's Records, died, aged 72 years. He married the daughter of the late Dawson Turner, Esq., of Yarmouth, and was Knighted in 1832 for his services and attention to Const.i.tutional and Parliamentary literature.

July. Mr. George Tyrrell, builder, of Southtown, received the Government contract for altering and re-constructing the Redoubt at Harwich. In May, 1862, he also obtained the Government contract for the erection of a Fort at Bembridge Town, Isle of Wight, at an outlay of about 40,000.

Aug. 16th. Purse of 70 presented to Mr. S. B. Cory, the newly-appointed Vestry Clerk. (See June 18th.)

Aug. Turkish Baths on Regent Road established, but were not in existence many months.

Aug. Mr. J. S. Cobb pa.s.sed his examination at the Royal College of Surgeons, and obtained his diploma as a dental surgeon.

Sept. 1st. Mr. F. W. Rolfe played his opening service at St. Peter's Church, and received his appointment as organist. In Nov., 1870, he was presented with a purse of 11 by the members of the St. Peter's Musical a.s.sociation. He died in 1884.

Sept. 12th. Yarmouth and other Norfolk Volunteers reviewed at the Earl of Leicester's Park at Holkham.

Oct. 26th. Alarming Fire at Mr. J. Self's fish storehouse and drying-rooms, in Row 145. Estimated damage, 400. And on Nov. 25th, Mr.

T. W. Downing's fish-stores; damage, 200.

Nov. 2nd and 3rd. Heavy gale and great loss of life and property; 19 shipwrecked seamen received at the Home; the previous ten days, 44.

Nov. 21st. New Lifeboat sent to Yarmouth by the National Inst.i.tution.

Nov. 26th. A site on the South Denes, for erecting an Iron Mission Church and Schools, granted by the Town Council to the Rev. H. R. Nevill.

The Church was opened for Service on March 4th, 1862. Cost, 500. (See May 26th, 1869.)

Nov. 28th. Artillery Volunteers' First Distribution of Prizes and Presentation of eight Saluting Flags, which cost 14, the gift of fifty lady subscribers, took place at the Corn Hall.

Nov. The fishing-lugger "Triumph," of Yarmouth, lost in a gale in the North Sea, and 11 hands, princ.i.p.ally belonging to Sherringham. Mr. J. W.

De Caux, a.s.sisted by the Mayor (R. Steward, Esq.), collected 52 13s.

for the widows and orphans.

Nov. The Rev. Hezekiah Martin, B.A., Curate of Caister Church, presented by the parishioners with a silver salver as a tribute of esteem.

Dec. 14th. H.R.H. the Prince Consort died, aged 42. During the ensuing week all outward manifestations of sorrow were paid in Yarmouth to the deceased Prince-shops were partly closed, flags raised half-mast, mourning uniform worn by volunteers, &c. On the 23rd the Town Council adopted a vote of condolence to her Majesty.

Dec. The Rev. F. C. Skey, late Curate of St. Nicholas' Church, appointed Minor Canon in Bristol Cathedral. A gold pencil case was presented to him (Dec. 19th) by the scholars and teachers of St. Peter's School.