Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood

May 17th. Rev. S. Hooke presented with a handsome timepiece by the congregation of St. Peter’s Church.

May 24th. Sergeant-Major Britton, Colour-Sergts. J. Norton and J. Wall, Sergt. J. Steel, Corporal W. Page, and Privates T. Freebury and R. Hayes, belonging to the 9th Regiment, each presented at Southtown Armoury with a medal for long service and good conduct.

May 25th. The smack “Dauntless” lost on Haak Sand.

May 27th. Rev. Edward Venables, B.A., son of the Vicar of Yarmouth, ordained by the Bishop of Chichester, and was appointed to a curacy at Hastings.

June 8th. The Royal Hotel partly rebuilt and re-modelled.

June 16th. Five gentlemen belonging to the Britannia Amateur Rowing Club rowed from Wroxham to Norwich, via Yarmouth (63 miles), in 10 hrs. 40 min.

June 17th. Three Gorleston young men – Edwin Darby, Augustus Hawes, and Arthur Thrower – accidentally drowned in the river Wensum.

June 24th. On the death of his father, Viscount Canterbury, K.C.B., G.C.M.G., Henry Charles, fourth Viscount (who married in 1872 Amyée Rachel, the only daughter of the late Hon. F. Walpole, M.P.), succeeded to the title.

July 2nd. The Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Bill passed the House of Lords, and Royal assent given by Commission on July 19th.

July. The billyboy “Breeze,” of this port, collided with H.M.S. “Wye,” off Carlton, and foundered.

July 9th. The inhabitants and the Board of Trade awarded Thomas Love and William Mann, of the smack “Fawn” two medals and two watches for their bravery in rescuing five hands from the smack “Bessie,” of London, during the gale of Jan. 30th.

July 10th. Mr. I. S. Cooper’s tender of £325 10s. for each of the two brick mortuary chapels in the new Cemetery accepted by the Corporation.

July 11th. The Royal Assembly Rooms purchased by Mr. W. Butcher for £1,975. (See 1851, and April, 1869.)

July 21st to 27th. Encampment of the 3rd and 4th Norfolk Rifles (about 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.