Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 43

Sept. 15th. Review on Mousehold Heath of the Norfolk Volunteers, on which occasion Corporal J. Wilshak, of Yarmouth, was presented with the Champion's Prize (20 and bronze medal) from the hands of Lady Suffield.

Sept. 18th. Messrs. Churchwardens Steward and Aldred presented with a silver tea service each, by members of the congregation of St. Nicholas'

Church, in testimony of their esteem. (See Nov. 23rd, 1879.)

Sept. 26th. First number of _Yarmouth Chronicle_ published by Messrs.

Steer and G.o.dfrey.

Oct. 3rd. The cutter "Samuel and William" (60 tons), belonging to Messrs. Smith and Sons, launched, this being the first built at Runham, near the Suspension Bridge. She was built by Messrs. Winter and Pigg.

The father of the latter built the yacht, "Red Rover," the property of S.

Nightingale, Esq.

Oct. Mr. C. C. Newcombe, appointed Postmaster.

Oct. A pedestrian named Elson, of Nottingham, walked for several days from Yarmouth to Lowestoft and back three times each day-a distance of sixty miles a-day.

Nov. 2nd. The Board of Health decided to borrow 3,000 for extending the Parade south, on the suggestion of C. J. Palmer, Esq.

Nov. 9th. R. Steward, Esq., elected as Mayor. On March 10th, 1864, Mr.

Steward was presented with a testimonial, value 200, subscribed for by the town. It comprised an elegant tea and coffee service, a silver salver, and a cake basket.

Nov. 16th. The Royal Sea Fisheries Commissioners held an enquiry at the Sailors' Home.

Nov. 20th. Destructive fire at the farm of Mr. J. Hammond, at Gorleston.

Nov. 21st. Mr. Robert Hales, the Norfolk Giant, died in Yarmouth, aged 43 years. He was born at West Somerton, May 2nd, 1820. In the prime of life his height was 7ft. 6in., and he weighed 33 stone. He measured round the chest 64in., waist 62in., thigh 36in., calf of leg 21in., across the shoulders 36in. His father was 6ft. 6in., and mother 6ft. in height. His brothers averaged 6ft. 5in., and sisters 6ft. 3in.

Nov. 29th. Rear-Admiral Sir J. H. Plumridge, K.C.B., died at Hopton. He was distinguished for many gallant services in Egypt, Denmark, Genoa, and Bomarsund. He was Knighted in 1855.

Nov. 30th. Mr. H. Panks presented with a silver watch and chain, and a book, as a mark of esteem and appreciation of his efficient services as organist, by the congregation of St. John's Mission Room.

Nov. The Rev. W. T. Harrison presented with a handsome pocket communion service.

Nov. The lifeboat "Friend of all Nations" launched from Mr. Critton's yard. Cost nearly 400.

Dec. 3rd. Furious gale (more disastrous than recorded May 28th, 1860), attended with loss of 17 smacks, 2 schooners, and 1 brig, belonging to Yarmouth, and all their crews; also seven other vessels lost off the coast. The total number of lives lost was 145 men and boys, leaving 73 widows and 110 orphan children. Her Majesty's gunboat "Ruby," one of the vessels despatched from the Humber to search for the missing smacks, was lost on Texel Beach. On the 21st, the Government sent from Sheerness the steamer "Medusa" (800 tons) to search the North Sea for missing smacks, but she returned unsuccessful. On the 28th a meeting was convened at the Town Hall by the Mayor, for relieving the sufferers, 222 being subscribed in the room, which, with other subscriptions, amounted to nearly 2,000, her Majesty heading the list with 100.

The Yarmouth College, South Quay, established; and Sutherland House School in 1875.

Dec. 8th. Case of arbitration at the Town Hall between the Corporation and the Gas Company as to the value of 10,000 square yards of land for building the new Gas Works. The Corporation demanded 7,646, but the arbitrator (Mr. Rodwell, Q.C.) awarded 4,106 15s.

Dec. 14th. The schooner "Spray" on fire, and was run ash.o.r.e near the Wellington Pier. She was laden with deals, coal, and c.o.ke; valued at about 700.

Dec. 16th. Owing to the death of Major S. C. Marsh on Aug. 30th, the Artillery Volunteers presented his family with a solid silver working model of a field piece, with a miniature officer at the trail end, the whole standing on a chased silver plateau and an ebony stand, as a memento of Mr. Marsh's connection with the Corps.

Dec. 17th. Conversazione at the Public Library, many objects of interest exhibited.

Great Yarmouth Building Society established.

Deaths: Mar. 25th, William Yetts, Esq., J.P., aged 67.-April 6th, John S.

c.o.xon, Esq., who held the office of Postmaster for one year, aged 32.

April 29th, Joseph G. Plummer, Esq., J.P., aged 58.-May 8th, William T.

Clarke, Esq., J.P., aged 49.-May 19th, Mr. William Green, many years Overseer of the Parish, aged 74.-Sept. 18th, Rosamond Matilda, widow of the late Dawson Turner, Esq., at Kirkley, Lowestoft, aged 52.-Sept. 25th, John Youell, Esq., A.L.S., aged 89.-Oct. 7th, Ambrose Reeve Palmer, Esq., of Haddiscoe Hall, aged 51.-Nov. 4th, Edmund Reeve Palmer, Esq., for many years Registrar of Yarmouth County Court, aged 63.-Nov. 30th, Capt. B.

Love, E.N.M., aged 71.

1864.

Jan. 28th. Rev. John Walker, M.A., inst.i.tuted to the Rectory of Bradwell; and the Rev. John James licensed to the Curacy of Southtown.

Jan. Rev. T. K. Richmond, six years Curate of St. Nicholas' Church, elected Chaplain of St. George's Hospital, London. On the 17th of March this gentleman was presented with a gold lever watch, value 27, and a purse of 10, by a number of paris.h.i.+oners; and a silver communion service by the Clergy.

Feb. 10th. The Danish corvette "Neils Juel," 450 men and 47 guns, and a powerful ironclad gunboat captured a Prussian s.h.i.+p outside the sands, and after putting a prize crew on board, took her to Copenhagen.

Feb. 27th. D. Tomkins, Esq., elected a member of the College of Preceptors.

March 1st. The brig "William and Richard" foundered off the Monument.

Seven men belonging to the Admiralty cutter "Dolphin," seven beachmen, and five from the screw-collier "Ryhope," were immersed in the water, four being drowned.

March 2nd. Pet.i.tion presented to the House of Commons by Edward Howes, Esq., M.P., from the Haven Commissioners of Yarmouth, in opposition to the East Norfolk Railway Bill.

Launches: March 31st, the first barge, "The Garson;" April 26th, barge "Whitwell;" July 5th, the barque-rigged vessel "Oriental;" Aug. 20th, schooner "Shepherdess."

March. The Rev. Arthur P. Holme, M.A., licensed by the Bishop of Norwich to the Inc.u.mbency of St. Andrew's Church.

March. James Morris Hill, Esq., late Major Military Train, approved of by her Majesty to fill the Adjutancy of the 1st Norfolk Artillery Volunteers.

April 28th. John Dawson, Esq., admitted a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.

July 20th. The East of England Joint Stock Bank (established in Dec., 1835) suspended payment, with liabilities amounting to 576,963 7s. 5d., and a.s.sets 453,256.

Aug. 1st. Mr. S. Allies appointed Borough Gaoler.

Aug. Rev. A. B. Crosse resigned the Inc.u.mbency of St. John's Church. On Dec. 30th this gentleman was presented with a handsome clock, value 30, and a purse of 60 guineas, previous to his leaving for Kessingland.

Aug. 15th. Three fishermen out of seven belonging to Cromer lost off the Haven's mouth, out of the crab-boat "Garibaldi."

Sept. 9th. Review of the members of the Norfolk Rifle Volunteer a.s.sociation on the South Denes, in the presence of 9,000 people. Four battalions were reviewed, viz.-1st Norfolk A. V., 178; 1st Norfolk Rifles, 356; 2nd Norfolk, 218; and 2nd Norfolk Administrative Battalion, 294; Norwich Light Horse, 68-numbering in all, officers and men, 1,106.

Oct. 16th. The three-decked steamer "Ontario," 4,000 tons burthen, 350 h.p., and laden with 2,000 tons of coal and iron, struck on Hasbro'

Sands. All efforts to get her off having failed, she was abandoned by her crew of 80, inclusive of officers, and on the 21st she foundered. 70 of the crew, rescued by the tug "Pioneer," were afterwards forwarded to their respective homes by the s.h.i.+pwrecked Mariners' Society. The "Ontario" was built this year at Jarrow, Durham. Her registered tonnage was 2,083, length 370 feet, and depth 48 feet, and her estimated value 120,000-90,000 covered by insurance.

Oct. 21st. Festival service to commemorate the partial restoration of St. Nicholas' Church, which was thrown open for the first time for 200 years-the time of Cromwell, 1649.

Nov. 15th. The Rev. G. Firth, five years and four months pastor of the Independent Chapel, Gorleston, presented with an electro-plated tea service, as a mark of esteem, by his friends, previous to his leaving Gorleston.

Nov. 24th and following nights, very heavy gales. Six vessels out of several hundreds then lying in the Roadstead were driven ash.o.r.e, and 10 lives lost off the coast. The barque "Sea Serpent" came ash.o.r.e 20 yards off the Wellington Pier. Through the exertions of Capt. Bevon and Mr. J.