1843.
Jan. 5th.—A Bachelors’ ball had been held at the Bath Rooms, when 57 ladies and about a similar number of gentlemen were present. The party broke up at about three o’clock in the morning.
Some young fig trees had sprung up in Mr. H. Fellows’ Dock.
Jan. 12th.—A “true and complete peal of Grandsire Caters containing 5004 changes,” had been rung on St. Nicholas’ bells:—James Burman (treble), James Stolworthy (second), Robert Bunn (third), James Lamb, aged 83 (fourth), Henry Stolworthy (fifth), Frederick Watering (sixth), Thomas Fox (seventh), Daniel Woods (eighth), Charles Payne (ninth), and Thomas Stolworthy (tenor).
Jan. 19th.—A meeting of the Trustees of the Acle Turnpike Road had been held in regard to the state of their accounts.
Jan. 26th.—Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Laws had given a grand ball at the Corn Exchange.
The Hospital had received £120 from the Managers of the Norwich Festival
Feb. 2nd.—Miss Hulley had given a concert and a ball at the Town Hall, when Mr. Norfor sang two songs with judgment and the ball was well attended.
The Gaol was so full “that it was almost impossible to provide sufficient accommodation for the sleeping of the prisoners.”
Feb. 9th.—Messrs. Youell and Co. had received Her Majesty’s commands to supply her with some plants from their nursery.
“On Tuesday, owing to the badness of the road, the London Mail arrived so late that the letters could not be delivered till one o’clock.”
The third concert of the Musical Society had been held at the Town Hall, when Mrs. Barnwell and Messrs. Palmer, Norfor, West, Springall, Offord, Hardingham, and Brightwen, took part in the proceedings.
Feb. 16th.—H. Patteson and C. J. Palmer, Esqs., attended before the Magistrates and obtained their certificates, that the whole of the capital of £150,000 had been subscribed for the Norwich and Yarmouth Railway Company.
Feb. 23rd.—Two cargoes of iron had arrived for the Railway.
“Button Smith, a notorious highwayman,” had been taken at Norwich, and was to be examined before the Yarmouth Justices on account of his depredations in the neighbourhood.
A man of “very respectable dress and genteel appearance” persisted in standing near Mr. Bell’s malthouse door, which he stated was “the entrance to Hell,” and as he seemed to be suffering from monomania he was placed under the care of his brother, who was the captain of a ship in the Roads.
March 2nd.—It was proposed to place a lightship at the “Cockle Gat.”
March 16th.—Mr. (now Sir James) Paget had been presented with plate of the value of £70, by his pupils at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.
The “Trinity Arms” Lodge, No. 220, U.A.O.D., had held its first anniversary dinner at the Trinity Arms, South Quay, “when 50 brethren and friends sat down to a most sumptuous dinner.”
March 30th.—Sixteen Liberal Guardians had been again elected.
April 13th.—It was understood that the contracts for building the new Bridge had been taken for something less than £10,000.
April 20th.—Messrs. C. Davie and D. A. Gourlay had been re-elected churchwardens by the Vestry.
April 27th.—The petitions against the Educational Clauses of the Factories Regulation Bill from the parents of Sunday School Children had received upwards of 500 signatures in the course of a few hours.
May 11th.—The Acle Turnpike Road was being thoroughly repaired; it was stated that these Tolls were then let for upwards of £400 a year.
May 18th.—R. Rising, Esq., of Horsey, had shot a crested Cormorant, which had been stuffed by Mr. Harvey, and could be seen at his shop.
May 25th.—A meeting of the Victoria Building Company had been held, when Mr. Dowson admitted “that much money had been mis-spent,” and a warm discussion took place between Mr. Worship and Mr. Nelson (the architect); Mr. Spilling threatened to file a Bill in Chancery against the Directors, and Messrs. R. P. Kemp and W. Johnson refused to be re-elected to the Board. This meeting, “which was frequently one of great confusion,” lasted six hours.
June 1st.—A new Jetty was projected opposite the Victoria Terrace, at which steampackets could land passengers and goods.
June 18th.—A single-wicket game of cricket had been played on the Denes between six members of the Amateur Club, the players being Messrs. Chamberlin, Tyrrell, and Diver, v. Greenacre, Aldred and Nolloth, the latter won by 23 to 8 runs.
June 24th.—Mr. H. Worship had resigned the office of Parish Surgeon.
June 29th.—Mr. F. N. Palmer had been elected to that office in Mr. Worship’s place.
Many gentlemen had been fined for riding across the corner of the pavement near the Star.
July 6th.—The London letters now arrived before eight o’clock by “Patent Mail” in lieu of the Telegraph Coach.
July 13th.—The “Hudson” had been lengthened and launched from Mr. F. Preston’s yard.
A shark, seven feet long, had been taken by some fishermen.
July 20th.—S. Tolver, Esq., had presented an hydraulic bed to the Hospital.
Robert Stevenson, Esq., had been in Yarmouth and determined on the site for the Terminus.
July 27th.—The “Good Samaritan” Lodge had held its anniversary at the Masonic Hall. The chair was filled by the N. G. William Freeman, P. G. Borking occupying the vice-chair. Among the company present were R. H. Beart and F. Palmer, Esqs., and Messrs. W. Hammond, W. H. Perkins, G. Rainer, G. R. Storey, R. Symonds, C. Hall, C. Bartram, W. Sayers, &c.
The Water Frolic had been held, the Mayor and Corporation attending in a Barge.
August 10th.—Wm. Steward, Esq., had bequeathed £100 to the Hospital.
The intelligence of the death of Capt. Harmer, R.N., of H.M.S. “Driver,” had been received, and the flags thereupon hoisted at half-mast on the Town Hall.
August 17th.—The Races had afforded little real sport; the Gold Cup race was “drawn” as there were only two entries for it.
The Magistrates had issued a notice against gambling.
There had not been a single case of pocket picking reported at the Races.
August 24th.—As no Regatta had been held this year, Lieut. Eyton, R.N., was endeavouring to get up a subscription for one to be held next year.
Sept. 7th.—The Government Inspector was very dissatisfied with the state of the Gaol.
The Yarmouth Mail had been upset near the Suspension Bridge.
Sept. 14th—Capt. Pike had been elected an Alderman in the room of Dr. Penrice, deceased.
The Council had determined not to appoint a chaplain in future, and to let the Vicarage “as any other property is let.”
Sept. 21st.—The Norwich and Yarmouth Cricket Clubs had played a match here with the result:—
| 1st ins. | 2nd ins. | Total. |
Yarmouth | 79 | 50 | 129 |
Norwich | 96 | 42 | 138 |
(And threewickets.) | |||
Oct. 5th.—The hotels and lodging-houses continued well filled, and the roadstead was crowded with shipping.
Oct. 12th.—Four Women and a man had been baptized by immersion in the sea from three of Mr. Bowles’ machines.
Nov. 2nd.—A Temperance meeting had been held at the Town Hall, addressed by Messrs. Fisher, Pike and Kelf, the Rev. J. Meffin occupied the chair.
An awful storm of wind from the S.E. had visited the town, and several ships had been driven on to the Beach.
The following Councillors had been elected:—
North Ward:—Messrs. Wm. Worship and Peter White.
Market Ward:—Messrs. D. A. Gourlay and C. Miller.
Regent Ward: Messrs. S. Palmer and J. D. Chapman.
St. George’s Ward: Messrs. J. Bayly and W. A. Burton.
Nelson Ward: Messrs. J. G. Cannell and Wm. Thos. Clarke.
Gorleston Ward: Messrs. W. Danby-Palmer and John Hammond.
Nov. 9th.—There were then forty-seven Liberals and one Conservative in the Town Council.
At the election of Mayor, Mr. Alderman Fenn proposed, and Mr. Thomas Hammond seconded, Samuel Charles Marsh, Esq., and Mr. Sewell proposed, and Mr. Shelly seconded Wm. Hurry Palmer, Esq., for that office; on a division Mr. Marsh was elected by 20 votes as against 18 given for Mr. Palmer.
Nov. 18th.—A large party of the Town Council and their friends had dined together at the Star Tavern; amongst those present were the Mayor, the Ex-Mayor, G. Danby Palmer, W. Johnson, R. Hammond, W. Danby Palmer, C. Pearson, R. S. Lonsdale, W. S. Ferrier, H. Worship, and G. W. Holt, Esqs.
The Mayor had entertained 200 gentlemen on his return from Church on Mayor’s Sunday.
THE FUNERAL OF CAPTAIN HARMER, R.N.
The following particulars, relative to the interment of this much lamented officer (who died while in command of Her Majesty’s steam frigate “Driver,” in China), will, (the Editor thinks), no doubt, be read with much interest:—
H.M.S. “Thalia,” at Chusan, China,
17th April, 1843.As I have arranged, with the kind concurrence of Major General Sir James Schoedde, that the interment of the late lamented Capt. Harmer, of Her Majesty’s steam frigate “Driver,” shall take place to-morrow forenoon at ten o’clock; it is my direction that the officers, seamen, and marines mentioned underneath, be sent in boats also stated against each ship’s name, so as to assemble round the “Driver” at half-past nine o’clock. The procession of boats will leave the “Driver” precisely at ten o’clock and proceed to the West pier, abreast that vessel, when it will be met by the Major General and all the officers of the garrison and a detachment of 100 rank and file of Her Majesty’s 95th Regiment, as that gallant officer has, in the most handsome and kind manner, expressed an anxious wish to pay every possible mark of respect to the remains of the much regretted Capt. Harmer. As many of the officers of the army lost their full dress coats during the late war in this country, I have arranged with General Sir James Schoedde, in order that both services may appear alike, that all the officers of the navy and marines appear in undress coats, epaulettes, cocked hats and swords, with crape on the left arm above the elbow, if it can be procured in time. The marines will be in full dress, but without chakos, and will be provided with three rounds of blank cartridges for every man. The seamen are to be in blue jackets and trousers, white frocks and black hats. All the arrangements on the part of the army are to be conducted by Major O’Leary, Brigade Major of Chusan; on the part of the navy, Capt. Quin, of H.M.S. “Minden.”
The pall bearers are to be three Field Officers of the army, and the Commanders of the “Pelican,” “Serpent,” and “Pylades.” Lieut. Kisbee, of the “Driver,” will be chief mourner, supported by the Officers of that vessel.
H.M.S. “Thalia.”—Four boats, three lieutenants, purser, naval instructor, two medical officers, one midshipman, three volunteers (1st class.)
H.M.S. “Minden.”—Three boats, two lieutenants, master, purser, two medical officers, two volunteers (1st class), one sergeant and ten marines.
H.M.S. “Pelican”—Two boats, two lieutenants, one medical officer, purser, one mate, one midshipman one volunteer (1st class), one sergeant, and fifteen marines.
H.M.S. “Serpent” and “Pylades.”—Same as “Pelican” in every respect as to boats and marines, and as nearly as possible with regard to officers.
All the officers and crew of the “Driver” will attend, excepting those left on board to take care of the vessel. The above number of boats is exclusive of those the Captains and Commanders will be in.
The colours of all the squadron will be hoisted half-mast high at eight o’clock, and remain so till sunset.
Signed,
Chas. Hope,
Captain of H.M.S. “Thalia,” and senior officer Chusan.
P.S.—The boats will be provided with ensigns and pendants, but only the former will be half-mast high.
Capt. Harmer was buried under the fort, surrounded by hundreds of his brethren in arms, who were either killed at the last capture of Chusan or who died from the effects of the climate. The officers of the “Driver,” much to their credit, and evincing a proper respect for a much-loved commander, have erected a neat monument over his remains at their own expense. So highly was he esteemed, even by the Chinese, that numbers of the respectable men of the city also attended.
The merchant ships, following the example of the squadron, kept their colours half-mast high until sunset.
Of Capt. Harmer it might well be said, in the language of the order, “that he paid proper respect to those who were destined to rule over him; that he worked diligently, lived creditably, and acted honourably by all men.” Brother, farewell.
Dec. 2nd.—Mr. John B. Bales had been presented with a splendid tea service, inscribed, “presented to Mr. John Barney Bales, Sergeant-at-Mace, by the inhabitants of this town, for their high opinion of him as a public officer.”
A swindler, calling himself “Clinton,” had been victimising the inhabitants.
Dec. 9th.—The first subscription concert had been held at the Town Hall.
Dec. 16th.—It was stated that the value of the Yarmouth living was then estimated at £430 per annum.
Dec. 23rd.—The Birmingham and Leicester coach had run over Mr. John Clowes, jun., at Caister, the hind wheel passing over his body and very severely bruising his leg and thigh.
A light vessel had been placed in the Cockle Gat.
Dec. 30th.—The Temperance Society had held their annual festival at the Town Hall, and in the course of the afternoon some members of Rechabite Tent had walked in procession round the town, headed by the Temperance Band, and carrying a few banners and the insignia of the order.