1845.
Jan. 11th.—A Railway meeting had been held (W. H. Palmer, Esq., in the chair) to consider the report of the Committee appointed at the previous meeting.
Feb. 1st.—A meeting had been held to assist the widows and children of the men lost on the 26th January then last.
Progress was being made in building Brandon Terrace.
On Sunday night, between 11 and 12 o’clock, there had been 19 feet 6 ins. of water on the bar, being 10 ins. higher than any tide of which there was an official report. Southtown was flooded, and the water flowed up to the trees on the Quay.
Feb. 8th.—The Board of Trade had remitted £20 to the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the late storm.
Feb. 15th.—And her Majesty the Queen had sent a like sum to the same fund.
Feb. 22nd.—The Town Council had petitioned against the Income Tax, and in favour of the Waveney Valley Railway.
The rivers were “fast with frost.”
March 1st.—A ball had been held at the Town-hall for the benefit of the Hospital. 130 persons were present, among whom were the Mayor and Mrs. W. H. Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Marsh, Messrs. F. and W. Worship, the Misses Worship, Mr. Wm. Johnson, the Misses Johnson, Miss M. Lacon, Mr. C. Dowson, Mr. and Mrs. Playford, Mr. and Mrs. F. Palmer, Messrs. Salmon Palmer, J. Richard, G. B. Costerton, Henry Danby-Palmer, &c.
March 8th.—Large quantities of wreck were floating in the Roads.
March 15th.—The subscription to the “Shipwreck (Phœnix) Fund” amounted to £1,500 9s. 4d., and a suggestion had been made to form it into a “permanent fund,” or to endow the Fishermen’s Hospital with it.
March 15th.—A petition had been adopted against the Dereham Railway Bill.
C. J. Harley, Esq., had bequeathed £100 to the Hospital.
There were only four cases at the Quarter Sessions.
March 22nd.—The case of “Hook against Davie” had been tried, and the Will prepared by Mr. Cory declared against, the Judge stating that Mr. Cory should have taken “a more correct view of his duty as a solicitor.”
April 5th.—R. Rising, Esq., had taken, at Horsey, a pike measuring 3½ feet in length, 2 feet in circumference, and weighing 28 lbs., it was supposed to be from 8 to 10 years old.
An accident had happened at Cooke’s Circus, during the performance of “St. George and the Dragon,” by the breaking down of a gallery, owing to which William Lilley, aged 33, had broken his leg in two places. Mr. F. Palmer was treating this case at the Hospital.
April 12th.—Royal, Hall and Mapes, had been tried at the assizes for the murder of Harriet Chandler. Mr. Palmer and Mr. O’Malley appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Prendegast and Mr. Couch for the defence, which was an “alibi;” the jury acquitted all the prisoners.
April 19th.—S. Cobb, Esq., had laid the foundation stone of the Unitarian Chapel, which was to be built on the site of the “Old Meeting House” in Gaol Street.
April 26th.—“In the Bail Court, Saturday, 19th April, 1845. Before Mr. Justice Coleridge.
The Queen on the prosecution of Samuel Charles Marsh, Esq., v. Charles Cory Aldred.
Mr. Martin—My Lord, in the case of the Queen v. Aldred, my learned friend, Mr. Robinson, will address your Lordship.
Mr. Robinson—In this case, my Lord, Mr. Aldred has been indicted for having spoken certain words of the prosecutor; he has pleaded not guilty. This gentleman, I have to state, used the words under some mistake, and he is now anxious to withdraw his plea of not guilty, and to express his regret for having used the words of which the prosecutor has complained. I have now, therefore, to withdraw the plea of not guilty and to enter a plea of guilty.
Mr. Martin—My Lord, I appear on behalf of the prosecutor, the Mayor of Yarmouth, who felt himself compelled to bring the matter before the Court. He has no personal feeling in the matter, and is perfectly satisfied with the expression of regret made by my learned friend, and upon payment of the costs by the defendant, if your Lordship pleases, he will not proceed further.
Mr. Justice Coleridge—Very well.”
Yarham (who figured in the Chandler murder case) had “at length been compelled, by the expression of public feeling, to quit the town.”
May 3rd.—Only one tender had been sent in for the New Haven Bridge, and it was considered probable that the plans for it would be amended.
May 10th.—Reports the “Fall of the Yarmouth Suspension Bridge,” (with a wood-cut of the wreck of that structure), which had happened on Friday, the 2nd inst. The following is extracted from such report:—
On the afternoon of the day on which this narration bears date, Nelson, the Clown at Mr. Cooke’s Circus, had undertaken to swim in a tub, drawn by four geese, from the drawbridge on the Quay to the Suspension Bridge across the North river—a foolish exhibition—but it was one which, from its novelty in Yarmouth, was calculated to attract the multitude. As early as five o’clock, when the train arrived from Norwich, although raining smartly, thousands of spectators had already assembled to witness the feat on both sides of the river. The Bridge was then comparatively clear. The Clown commenced his feat with the flood tide at the drawbridge, and had entered the North river. There were many persons on the Bridge, and as he drew near, the multitude upon it endeavoured to obtain a full view as he should pass underneath. Already had he reached Bessey’s Wharf, not far from the Bridge, when one or two of the rods were observed to give way; an instant alarm was given to quit the bridge. Alas! the caution came too late. The chains broke, and quick as the passing thought, one entire side fell, and the whole mass of the human beings, whose numbers were estimated from three to four hundred, were swept into the river below. The traffic road of the Bridge, which but an instant before was horizontal, had become nearly perpendicular.
The children, poor little things, of whom there were very many, and had naturally gathered to the balustrade, were of course the first to sink, while the force with which the whole fell, caused those who were in the background to be hurled with terrific force into the water beneath, crushing and annihilating those under them.
Oh! who shall paint the one mighty simultaneous agonizing death-scream which burst upon the affrighted multitude around—re-echoing from earth to heaven—may the appeal not be made in vain. One instant and all was hushed, save the struggling of a few whose lives it pleased their Maker in his mercy to spare. The waters, we are told, as if gifted with a sudden impulse of horror, at this fell swoop of death, recoiled in the impetus of the fall and “boiled up” at the back of the Bridge, which hung perpendicularly below the surface of the river. As suddenly the struggle for life was past to all but a few.
Then came a scene scarcely less heartrending. With an energy, activity, and stern determination of purpose, which are among the wise and merciful provisions of the Almighty, twenty-seven children, all girls, were immediately rescued alive on the West side of the river, and as instantly put to bed at the “Vauxhall Gardens,” who as soon as revived were replaced by others equally beneficially spared, or by some never to be recalled. Some scrambled out and rushed home to their own houses, not a few fainting after arriving safe at home. On the East side numbers of bodies were taken into the adjoining houses, where all the assistance which medical skill, humane attention, in short all the aid which humanity would teach everyone to offer, was brought to bear. Alas how often in vain. In one house alone, at nine o’clock at night, out of sixty-eight bodies carried in only three were revived.
Many a touching scene was witnessed as the anxious mother, and the hardly less excited father or friend, recognised some missing one safely emerging from the crowd. Thousands thronged the North Quay—messengers were despatched in all directions to procure medical aid, and the communication with the West side of the water being cut off, hundreds were left in painful suspense respecting those who were safe on the opposite shore. Nothing could exceed the promptitude, activity, and attention of the surgeons and medical men of the town, all of whom were in immediate attendance doing all they could to afford relief to the sufferers, where the slightest chance of resuscitation appeared. Mr. Lacon and a number of the persons employed in his brewery were exceedingly active in supplying hot water for baths, which is not far distant. All the blankets from the Union House that could possibly be spared were in requisition.
The scene now presented is still most agonising. Children, mothers, and fathers, seeking one or other of their families, tracing and discovering in the pale face of some of the dead, one of their dearest ties. In every street are to be seen one or more bodies extended on biers, returning to that home from which but short minutes before they had passed in health and life. The consternation—the agony of the town is not to be described—it is as if some dread punishment was felt to have fallen upon its inhabitants—every face is horror-stricken—every eye is dim.
Never since the devastating plague in 1664, which swept off 2000 of its inhabitants, has Yarmouth, notwithstanding its numberless shipwrecks, been visited with so dire a calamity, occurring too at the very moment a public meeting was about to be held to make arrangements for the distribution of the funds which have been received for the widows and families of the Beachmen who were lost in January last. How many are there added to this list? We dare not anticipate—Time will show.
Numbers, it is believed, are entangled with the rods and other portions of the broken Bridge. At this hour it is impossible to say how many or who are called to their dread accounts. The escape of some was miraculous. One woman, of the name of Gillings, the wife of a carpenter, was on the Bridge with her child; when she was hurled into the water, with extraordinary presence of mind she seized her child’s clothes with her teeth—thus preventing the rush of water, and paddled herself to a place of safety.
On the East side of the Bridge the greater number were taken to the “Norwich Arms Inn,” where there were at one time fifty-three corpses. Others were taken to the “Admiral Collingwood” and to the “Swan,” and many to their own houses. Not a few of those who first got out of the water went away unnoticed, and their number is unknown. Up to a late hour last night, it was ascertained that seventy-five dead bodies had been taken out of the water; and up to midnight, from the enquiries made, it was ascertained that forty-five others were missing.
By far the greater number of those lost were females and children. James Marshall, 16, escaped with a wound in the scalp. Two boys named Honorley, aged twelve and seventeen, were taken home, the younger died last evening, the elder is likely to recover.
The inquest on the bodies of the drowned was held next day at the “Church Hall,” before W. S. Ferrier, Esq., coroner, when the following gentlemen were sworn on the Jury:—Samuel Palmer, Esq., (foreman), and Messrs. John Norman, John Orfeur, John Fenn, G. B. Palmer, William Smith, William Spillings, Charles Barber, Charles Woolverton, Joseph Davy, James Emms, William Haylett, Mark Blowers, J. E. Laws, John Stagg, E. Garrod, Thomas Davy, and James Pratt, and after hearing evidence as to the identification of the bodies of the drowned was adjourned sine die. The following list of the victims is given:—
The following is the list of persons who were rescued, as far as ascertained:—
Sarah Ann Thorpe, aged 13, who continues very ill.
Mary Ann Arnold, with child in her arms.
Mrs. Thomas Money, reported to be in great danger.
Rebecca Page.
Mary Church, was taken out near the lime kiln.
Hannah Eliza Lake, an infant.
Widow Edwards, reported to be in a dangerous state.
Martha Field, aged 7 years.
Mr. Frederick Nathaniel Palmer, surgeon.
Mr. William Jackson.
Eliza, daughter of Mr. James Borking, dyer, aged 12, whose sister was drowned. She got hold of a man’s leg and he pulled her out.
Martha Field, a young woman, who came into Court, but had her head tied up and seemed much bruised.
Elizabeth Cuddon, a young woman from Ipswich.
Mary Utting, mother of Caroline Utting.
Ann Bowles, aged 11 years.
Mrs. David Little and one child, another being drowned.
Mrs. Livingstone and one child, two having been drowned.
Mrs. Louisa Beloe and one child, another child drowned.
Mrs. Susan Money and one child.
Elizabeth Rowland, aged 16, said that she and her four brothers were on the Bridge but a minute or two before, but having been cautioned by her mother not to take the children on the Bridge for fear they should come to any harm, and being fearful lest from the crowd they might be pushed into the water, she left, and thus providently escaped.
Susan Knights stated that she was on the West end of the Bridge with three children, all of whom were happily saved.
Maria Smith went down twice, when she caught hold of a boat and was taken into a wherry.
Elizabeth Bowles was on the end of the Bridge, but happily escaped.
Grace Duffell, mother of Elizabeth Duffell.
Elizabeth Browne.—She said there was plenty of time for all to have escaped after they heard the chain break, had they been aware of the danger.
A little girl, sister of Maria Stolworthy.
Betsy Wright left the Bridge a minute or two before it fell.
Alfred Norman on hearing a cracking noise ran off on the West side of the Bridge, when he saw the Bridge fall.
Eleanor Eliza Allman says, a man called out that the Bridge would fall, and she ran off; she said “In about five minutes after the Bridge fell.”
Robert Whitlock left the Bridge to look for his brother, and the Bridge fell before he returned.
A little boy named Jay, son of Mr. Jay, baker, White Lion Gates, said that when he was under the water, the people looked as if they were hugging each other. He could see them quite perfectly.
One man fell across a piece of iron with his head just above water; he reached to two girls who were struggling for life, and a third caught hold of his collar. All four were saved.
A young man named Simmons, (whose leg was also fractured in extricating them from the bended iron of the Bridge with a crowbar).
Robert Marshall, aged 16, escaped with a scalp wound.
Sarah Linder, aged 12, Bow 132, was also rescued with a wounded scalp.
Martha Ann Stolworthy, aged 7 years.
Mr. John Lake’s servant and one child saved.
A brother of B. P. Burton’s.
A young woman named Cook, living in Bow 65.
Harriett Hunnibal, Row 110.
Caroline Roberts was standing quite at the foot of the Bridge, and escaped without going into the water.
John Watts, aged 16, and three brothers were saved.
Tresor Steward, aged 12, Priory.
Hannah Watering, aged 8, Priory.
It was noted that the handbill issued by Nelson, the Clown, was prefaced by this extraordinary motto, “Is it to be a benefit, ‘or not?’ that is the question.” And in another part of it, it is stated, “Mr. Wm. Cooke will appear in a dying scene’”
May 17th.—In reply to a memorial from the Town Council, the Government had directed Mr. Jas. Walker, C.I., to attend at Yarmouth and examine the wreck of the Suspension Bridge.
A meeting of the Beachmen’s Relief Fund had been held, Wm. H. Palmer, Esq., in the chair, when the following account was presented:—
| £ | s. | d. | |
| Annuities to widows | 438 | 0 | 0 |
| Weekly allowances to children | 434 | 4 | 0 |
| Gratuities to widows of Warner, Poyntz, and S. George | 50 | 0 | 0 |
| Star Company for loss of yawl | 212 | 0 | 0 |
| Survivors for loss of clothes, &c. | 60 | 0 | 0 |
| £1,194 | 4 | 0 |
Leaving a balance of about £600 in hand, and it was determined on the motion of the Rev. H. Mackenzie, seconded by Geo. Danby Palmer, Esq., that the fund should be called, “The Great Yarmouth Royal Life Fund.”
Mr. Marsh had attended the levée.
May 24th.—The Rev. H. Mackenzie had proposed the restoration of S. Nicholas’ Church, which he estimated would cost £5,000.
The “Bridge Jury” had met again, and, after hearing evidence, arrived at the following verdict in one case which governed the rest:—“That deceased came to her death by the falling of the Suspension Bridge across the river Bure, in this Borough, on the 2nd May, 1845; and that the falling of the bridge was attributable immediately to a defect in the joint or welding of the bar that first gave way, and to the quality of part of the iron, the workmanship being inferior to the requirements of the original contract, which had provided that such should be of the first quality.”
May 31st.—A temporary bridge had been opened across the Bure.
The Committee on the Norfolk and Suffolk Railway lines had met. The “Diss, Beccles and Yarmouth” promoters had abandoned that portion of their line which connected Lowestoft with Yarmouth, and had agreed to go to Reedham and abandon Yarmouth. The Lowestoft line had passed through committee.
The Yarmouth and Norwich line was thrown out as regarded the bridge and tramway, so that no second bridge would be built that year.
June 7th.—The Royal Hospital on the South Denes was being converted into a Naval Lunatic Asylum.
June 14th.—Three of the houses on Brandon Terrace were nearly ready for occupation.
An arrangement had been come to between the Directors of the Norwich and Yarmouth Railway and Mr. Cory as to the bridge toll question and the Company were to erect a free bridge over the river, but it was still doubtful on which side of the stream the station would be erected.
June 21st.—The price agreed to be paid by the Company for this right, with the adjacent land required by them and Paget’s brewery was stated by the Bury Post to be £26,000.
Many influential traders were moving to get the terminus fixed at Southtown near the bridge foot.
A new Roman Catholic Chapel was projected on a site near Paget’s brewery (North Quay.)
June 28th.—The “Vauxhall Gardens” had passed from Mr. Symonds to Mr. Franklin, and a magnificent saloon upwards of 60 feet erected there.
July 5th.—The Church trustees had determined to spend £1,250 on repairs of the fabric of S. Nicholas’ Church.
Two tenders had been sent in for the Haven bridge, one by Mr. Peto exceeding £32,000, and the other by Mr. Simpson something under £20,000.
July 12th.—Fifty persons had taken a trip to Holland in the steamer “Cambridge” of Hull.
Sunday night had been one of incessant thunder and lightning.
July 19th.—The Regatta was advertised under the patronage of “The Earl of Stradbroke, Sir Thomas Gooch, Bart., the M.P’s. for Great Yarmouth, and other noblemen and gentlemen. Stewards: Capt. A. W. Jerningham, R.N., and Capt. J. H. Windham, R.N.”
Mr. W. S. Simpson’s tender of £19,070 for the erection of the Haven Bridge had been accepted by the Commissioners, but he not having complied with their terms, the matter had been ordered to be “postponed for the present.”
July 26th.—The Borough Members (Messrs. Rumbold and Wilshere) had attended an Anti-Corn Law League meeting at the Corn Hall.
The Mayor had entertained a large party (forty to fifty gentlemen) on board his barge at the Burgh Water Frolic, this the reporter appears to have considered of more importance than the sailing matches, as regards which he makes the faintest allusion.
Aug. 12th.—The Regatta had been a great success, 5,000 persons coming from Norwich alone. The following yachts competed:—“Belvidere” (Lord A. Paget), “Blue Bell” (Mr. Hodges), “Prima Donna” (Mr. Tatham), and “Phantom” (Mr. Wilkinson). The “Blue Bell” won, the “Belvidere” which was leading at the time, having got on Scroby, for which a salvage claim of £75 was made by the beachmen. (They were ultimately awarded £27 for their services.)
A dinner was given during the day to the beachmen in a tent on the Beach, and the lifeboats tested.
At the Races the following stakes were rim for on the first day:—The Gold Cup Stakes by subscribers of £10 each; a Plate of £50, given by the Members; Vauxhall Hunters’ Cup Stakes of £30; and on the 2nd day, The Town and County Gentlemen’s Plate of £50; the Railway Stakes of £30; and the Tally Ho Stakes of £1 each with £10 added. A number of “light-fingered” gentry were present.
The Race dinner had been held at the “Victoria” Hotel, when the Mayor presided; and a Ball at the Town Hall, when the following ladies and gentlemen were present:—The Mayor and Mrs. W. H. Palmer, C. E. Rumbold, Esq., M.P., W. Wilshere, Esq., M.P., Sir Henry and Lady Robinson, H. N. Burroughes, Esq., S. C. Marsh, Esq. and Mrs. Marsh, Mrs. and the Miss Musketts, Mr. Recorder Jermy, Mrs. Jermy, Mr. Penrice, Mrs. and Miss Onslow, Mrs. and Miss Pooley, Mr. and Mrs. Wythe, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Preston and the Miss Prestons, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Bateman, Mr. and Miss Steward, Mr. Henry Steward, Mrs. and the Miss Stewards, Captain, Mrs. and the Miss Pearson, Mrs. and the Miss Chevalliers, Mr. Clement Chevallier, Mr. Dowson, Mr. George Tompson, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. L. Preston, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tompson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Preston, Mr. B. Caldecott, Mr. W. Worship, Mrs. and Miss Burton, Miss Paget, Mr. Fisher, Mr. W. C. Reynolds, &c. Clapp’s celebrated military band attended, and the whole went off exceedingly well, the company not separating till half-past three o’clock.
It was computed that not less than 2,000 persons attended the Vauxhall Gardens, among whom were the members for the Borough.
Aug. 9th.—A hurricane had visited the town, but beyond dismasting two vessels and blowing a girl into a pool of water does not appear to have caused much mischief.
The only mails then brought to Yarmouth by rail were those from London and Norwich.
The “Repository” sale at the Bath Room on the Regatta day had realized £82.
Mr. C. D. Arnott had had conferred on him the degree of M.D. by the Edinburgh University.
Aug. 16th.—A Poor’s rate of 1s. 4d. in the £ had been made.
The Railway Company was forwarding its own goods by water as the cheaper process.
Aug. 23rd.—Messrs. Youell’s nurseries were very attractive, they had 4,000 carnations and 180 fuchsias in bloom.
Complaints had been made that “for two Sundays past” great quantities of herring had been despatched to London by rail.
Six hundred sail of colliers and merchant vessels which had been wind-bound here had proceeded to sea.
Aug. 30th.—The abolition of the coal dues, and the question of the better delivery of the mails were being agitated.
Mrs. Spooner (Dr. Bateman’s sister) had met with a fatal accident by falling downstairs.
Sept. 6th.—£3,600 had been subscribed for the S. Nicholas’ Church restoration.
Sept. 13th.—Mr. C. S. D. Steward had been elected an Alderman against his express wish, and only took the oath upon being threatened with a fine.
The allotment of Waveney Valley shares was to take place. The applications exceeded 80,000.
Oct. 11th.—S. Palmer, Esq., had been requested to accept the office of Mayor, as it was considered desirable to have “a gentleman of sufficient influence and leisure to watch and protect the interests of this important port during the progress through Parliament of the several railway schemes.”
The Freemasons meeting at the “Star Tavern” (Lodge 313) had been honoured by the presence of Lord Suffield, Provincial Grand Master.
Oct. 25th.—The Hon. Col. George Anson had been on a visit to S. Palmer, Esq., leaving to visit Lord Stradbroke, with the object of making arrangements as to the Waveney Valley Line. Whilst in Yarmouth the Hon. Colonel accepted the office of Steward of the Races next year.
Nov. 1st.—6,600,000 herrings had been landed in one day. A fishmonger wanting to buy a turbot was asked 24s. for one on the Beach, which being refused, these fish were forwarded to London, when they fetched 55s. each.
Nov. 8th.—At the Municipal Election, Henry Danby Palmer, Esq., had been returned for the North Ward, vice C. May; Mr. James Lawn for the Market Ward, vice S. Miller, jun. (who had been selected for St. Andrew’s Ward, vice A. Thrower); and Frederick Palmer, Esq., for Regent Ward, vice C. Davie, “whose sudden resignation had caused much astonishment.” There was no contest and the other Councillors were re-elected.
Nov. 15th.—The Mayor (S. Palmer, Esq.) had entertained about 50 members of the Council and others at the “Star Tavern.” The following toasts were given:—The Queen, H.R.H. Prince Albert, The Prince of Wales, The Queen Dowager, The Army and Navy, The Lord High Steward, The Mayor, George Danby Palmer, Esq., Mr. Burroughs, Mr. Gourlay, Mr. R. Hammond, The Magistrates, The Mayoress, and the Press.
Nov. 29th.—A report had been circulated that Yarham had confessed that he was the murderer of Mrs. Chandler.
It was stated that Corton Sand had disappeared and there were 20 feet of water, when recently there had been only from 2 to 8 feet.
Dec. 6th.—It was then ascertained that it was the North part of the Holme, and not the Corton Sand, which had been washed away.
There was a pear tree growing on the wall of Messrs. Tolver and Preston’s Office, on which was a branch of 5 blossoms fully expanded.
Dec. 13th.—The fishing had been a very good one. Many of the boats had averaged 30 lasts, and one firm employing 8 boats had averaged 41 lasts a boat.
Dec. 20th.—There had been a high tide, during which the landlord of the “Trinity Arms” had been serving customers (who rowed there in boats) out of the window.