Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 56

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 ash.o.r.e 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 Depot 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 circ.u.mstances 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 Pract.i.tioners' 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. Ma.s.sey 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 a.n.a.lyst 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 pa.s.sengers 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.