1854.
Jan. 7th.—Several houses had been damaged by a “fearful” storm.
The “Seamen’s Association” had held a demonstration with a procession round the town. At a subsequent meeting held at their Club House the following toasts were given:—“The Queen,” “May British Sailors weather the Storm,” “England expects every man will do his duty,” “The Owners and Merchants of Yarmouth,” “May British Sailors never want for grog and tobacco.”
Jan. 14th.—The “Eleanor Palmer,” belonging to W. H. Palmer, Esq., had been “totally lost” on the coast near Athens. This was the third vessel that gentleman had lost since 1853.
Jan. 21st.—At a meeting of the Town Council it had been determined to oppose the “Waveney Valley Drainage Bill.”
Captain Broadhead, R.N., was engaged at this port raising a corps of Sea Fencibles.
Jan. 28th.—The first Subscription Ball had been held, for which Cosgrove’s Band was engaged, and dancing kept up until four o’clock.
Sergeant Johnson had been charged by Mr. George William Moore with having been drunk and assaulting him. The parties, together with Mr. Silvers, Mr. J. H. Harrison, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Howlett, and Mr. W. Wright appear to have been in Cosgrove’s public-house at three o’clock in the morning, when the alleged offences were said to have been committed.
Jan. 28th.—N.B. This is the first issue of the Norwich Mercury as a bi-weekly newspaper.
The following improvements were noted:—The now Haven Bridge and also the Wellington Pier were nearly completed.
The Water Works were being formed.
The Southtown Gas Works would soon be opened.
The new Bank of Messrs. Gurney and Co., was in the course of erection.
Many new streets were being formed on the North, East, and South Denes.
The Marine Drive was projected.
The town had been selected for the Militia Barracks, and it was said that the Victoria Esplanade was likely to be carried as far as the South Battery.
On the other hand the state of the Chapel Denes had, however, long been “a disgrace to the town.”
There had been an “immense fleet” of vessels in the Roads.
Feb. 1st.—There had been snow-drifts 5 feet deep on the line between Yarmouth and Reedham.
Feb. 8th.—Mr. Burroughs had, at the Council meeting, denounced certain gentlemen as “traitors to the town” and “tools of Mr. Peto.”
Feb. 11th.—A considerable quantity of human bones had been found near the Caister Road, which were supposed to be the remains of persons who died of the plague and received burial from the Leper Houses which formerly existed there.
Feb. 18th.—There had been extremely high tides, a violent storm, and a heavy gale. Several dockyards had been overflowed, and about thirty balks of timber had been lost from Mr. Steward’s yard.
Feb. 22nd.—A Tradesmen’s Ball had been held in the Town Hall.
Feb. 25th.—A Liberal meeting had been held at the Star Hotel, (George Danby-Palmer, Esq., in the chair) when resolutions in favour of Lord John Russell’s Reform Bill and the Ballot were adopted.
There had been another high tide, the Quay being in several places inundated; the surf rolling over the old Jetty.
March 1st.—Owing to the sitting of the County Court, the Council had met in the Grand Jury Room at the Tolhouse.
The Seamen’s wages were so high that they preferred the Merchant Service to the offers being made by Sir Charles Napier to join the Navy.
March 4th.—John Eagleton charged with having fraudulently cheated the Guardians of the Poor by delivering to poor persons receiving out-door relief bread of short weight, was found guilty, subject to a case for the opinion of the Court of Criminal Appeal, (Mr. J. Cobb and Mr. L. A. Meal being his sureties in £50 each.)
March 8th.—A Tender has arrived to take off the Coastguardsmen and Naval Volunteers.
Rear-Admiral Plumridge had been summoned to London for the purpose of hoisting his flag in the Baltic Fleet under Sir Charles Napier.
A vessel had been sent to sea manned entirely by master mariners; the rise in wages and the attractions of the Navy having so reduced the number of common seamen.
March. 11th.—The Baltic Fleet was expected to pass Yarmouth.
A public meeting in favour of the Reform Bill had been held at the Corn Hall (George Danby-Palmer, Esq., in the chair), when the following gentlemen took part in the proceedings:—Mr. W. N. Burroughs, Mr. McCullagh, Mr. J. W. Shelly, Mr. C. E. Bartram, Mr. J. Clowes, Mr. J. Owles, Mr. Jackson, Mr. D. A. Gourlay, and Mr. R. Hammond.
March 18th.—A meeting had been held at the Star Hotel, Mr. J. H. Harrison in the chair, to consider the rating of cottage property.
March 25th.—A memorial brass had been placed in St. Nicholas’ Church to the memory of the late Dr. A. Impey.
A meeting in favour of “Sabbath Observance” had been held.
March 20th.—Contains the Royal proclamation of the war with Russia.
April 1st.—The Baltic Fleet was at Kiel, and Admiral Plumridge was likely to shift his flag from the “Leopard” to the “St. Jean d’ Acre.”
April 12th.—At the meeting for the Election of Haven Commissioners, Captain Scott proposed and Captain Briggs seconded George Danby-Palmer, Esq.; W. Yetts, Esq., proposed, and C. J. Palmer Esq., seconded, R. Ferrier, Esq.; J. Jackson, Esq., proposed, and Garson Blake, Esq., seconded, J. Barker, Esq.; H. Palmer, Esq., proposed, and S. Cobb, Esq., seconded, Richard Hammond, Esq., junr.; and Mr. J. Owles proposed, and Mr. T. Lettis seconded, D. A. Gourlay, Esq. Mr. Ferrier declined to go to a poll, and thereupon Messrs. Palmer and Barker were elected Commissioners and Messrs. Hammond and Gourlay Supernumerary Commissioners without opposition.
The following had been result of the Guardians’ Election:—
St. Nicholas’ Ward.—James Jackson, cottage owner, 200, elected; Samuel Nightingale, brewer, 167, elected; John Mainprice, spirit merchant, 159, elected; Henry Boulter, confectioner, 129; William Wright, building and cottage owner, 123; Edward H. L. Preston, timber merchant, 112; Abraham Amis, cottage owner, 107.
Market Ward.—William Laws, grocer, 194, elected; David Abraham Gourlay, shipowner, 168, elected; Joseph Harvey, tanner, 132, elected; John Cobb, currier and leather seller, 102; Robert Tooley, miller, 76; Richard Ecclestone, draper, 71; William Woolston, cottage owner, 56.
Regent Ward.—Samuel Charles Marsh, wine merchant, 160, elected; William Worship, solicitor, 156, elected; Thomas Foreman, shipowner and cottage owner, 126, elected; James Denny Chapman, draper, 116; Frederick Palmer, surgeon, 102; William Livingstone, draper, &c., 68: John A. Norman, jun., cottage owner, 66.
St. George’s Ward.—Richard Ferrier, brewer, 225 elected; Joseph Goulding Plummer, shipowner, 223, elected; Benjamin Fenn, fish merchant, 222, elected; Cubitt Engal Bartram, gentleman, 116; Christopher Steward, pawnbroker, 83; Robert Page, cottage owner, 65.
Nelson Ward.—George Danby-Palmer, shipowner, 258, elected; James Hargrave Harrison, cottage owner, 235, elected; Charles Woolverton, plumber, 212, elected: Thomas Brightwen, gentleman, 206, elected; Samuel Velzi Moore, anchorsmith, 177; Thomas Lettis, jun., fish merchant, 130; Benjamin Powell, merchant, 126; John Clarke, shipowner, 158.
April 19th.—Proceedings were threatened with regard to the Election of Guardians by the Liberals.
April 22nd.—Both Churchwardens had been re-elected by the Vestry, and a Church rate of 1½d. in the £ voted.
April 26th.—Notice of “the Closing of the Churchyards” had been issued.
Eleanor Warren had died in the old prison Row, aged nearly 103 years.
April 29th.—The men of the East Norfolk Militia and Norfolk Artillery Militia had assembled in the Market Place under the command of Colonel Mason and Lord Hastings, respectively.
May 3rd.—The Stewards for the next Subscription Ball were to be the Mayor, Captain Pearson R.N., S. C. Marsh, Esq., C. J. Palmer, Esq., and M. Lacon, Esq.
The following law report appears in this issue:—
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEAL.
Before the Lord Chief Baron, Mr. Baron Parke, Mr. Justice Cresswell, Mr. Justice Erle, and Mr. Justice Crompton.
Regina v Eagleton.
The indictment in this case contained ten counts, seven of which charged an attempt to defraud, and the last three an attempt to obtain money by false pretences. The defendant had entered into a contract with the Board of Guardians of Great Yarmouth to supply loaves of bread of the weight of three pounds and a half to the poor, and had supplied many of the out-door paupers with loaves weighing only 3lbs. 4 ozs., and had represented to the Overseers of the poor that the loaves supplied were of the contract weight, and had endeavoured to obtain payment accordingly. This case was sent back to the Recorder of Great Yarmouth to be amended, in order to have the question fully argued.
Mr. Bodkin and Mr. Mills appeared for the defendant, and Mr. Bulwer for the prosecution.
May 10th.—The Rev. R. J. Palmer, M.A., had lectured on “Mount Sinai and Arabia Petrœa.”
May 20th.—The Earl of Leicester (Lord Lieutenant) had presented new colours to the East Norfolk Militia, which were received by Major Sir E. Lacon and Captain Bloomfield, the service of consecration being performed by the Rev. Bowyer Vaux, assisted by the Rev. John Bampton.
Lord Hastings entertained several noblemen and gentlemen at dinner at the Royal Hotel.
The officers of the East Norfolk Militia kept “open house” at the Victoria from two to six o’clock, and in the evening gave a ball at the Town Hall, at which the Earl of Leicester (Lord Lieutenant), Lord Hastings, Lord Walsingham, Lord Royston, the Hon. Jacob Astley, the Hon. and Rev. Delaval and Mrs. Astley, Lady Lacon, Mrs. and Miss Lee Warner, Mr. and Mrs. Hoste, Mr. and Mrs. J. Gay (Thurning), Mr. and Miss Day, the Officers of the Militia Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Custance and the Officers of the West Norfolk Militia, Captain Norman, R.N., T. R. Buckworth, Esq., W. Norris, Esq., T. Browne, Esq., the Mayor of Yarmouth, Mr. and Mrs. C. Marsh, Mr. and Mrs. C. Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Preston, Mr. E. R., Mrs., and the Misses Palmer, the Reverend Mr. and Mrs. and Miss Waters, Captain and Mrs. Marcon, Captain Pearson, R.N., Mr. and Miss Pearson, Mr. Mortlock Lacon, Mr. and Mrs. A. Steward and the Misses Steward were present. The refreshments and the supper, both of the most recherche description, were supplied by Mr. Wilson, of this city. Weippert’s admirable band was engaged, and the dance was kept up until near the dawn of day. Thus ended a day of pleasure without alloy, and next day the Regiment was inspected by Colonel Kelly.
A fine Russian brig of 400 tons, laden with salt, had been brought into the Roads, a prize of war. She subsequently proceeded to Sheerness.
Seven thousand pounds had been expended on the Wellington Pier works, where the Norfolk Artillery Band occasionally performed.
May 24th.—The North Denes had been selected for rifle practice.
The Mayor (J. Cherry, Esq.,) had given a ball to 200 guests at the Town Hall.
The “Contest” schooner, of 150 tons, had been launched from Messrs. Beeching’s yard.
May 31st.—Sir James Plumridge had been promoted to be Rear-Admiral of the White.
The Military Lunatic Asylum was to be converted into an Hospital for wounded seamen from the Baltic Fleet.
No. 3, Brighton Terrace, and No. 2, Queen’s Road had been struck by lightning.
June 3rd.—The “Otter,” war steamer, had put into the Roads.
The “Carolina,” Russian brig, had arrived in this port for condemnation.
June 14th.—H.M.S. “Zeyphr” had been in the Roads.
Mr. John Clowes declined to pay £1 2s. due for Board of Health rate, on the ground that the Board was indebted to him for services rendered whilst he was Town Clerk. A distress was ordered to be issued.
June 17th.—Two vessels with wounded seamen were expected for the Hospital.
A small steamboat, the property of J. Penrice, Esq., had exploded near the Bridge.
June 21st.—Mr. McCullough, Mr. Chamberlin, Captain Briggs, and Mr. Scott had attended the Right Hon. E. Cardwell as a deputation from the “Shipping Association.”
The premises occupied by the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Institute had been purchased by C. J. Palmer, Esq., for £1,780.
July 1st.—The Norfolk Artillery had completed their 50 days’ training, the gun practice being for 24-pounders at a target range of 1,250.
A meeting to promote the “Roads Regatta” had been held.
July 8th.—The month of June had been intensely cold on the East coast.
July 15th.—The mackerel fishing had been very successful, the returns then amounting to £30,000, which sum would be probably increased to £40,000 before the boats made up.
July 22nd.—The “Hornet” screw frigate, 16 guns, had anchored in the Roads, on her way to join Sir Charles Napier’s Fleet in the Baltic.
Four thousand persons had arrived in one day by excursion trains from Norwich, Ipswich and Lynn.
S. M. Peto, Esq., M.P., had laid the foundation stone of the King Street Congregation Chapel; afterwards there was a dejeuner at the Victoria Hotel, where J. W. Shelly, Esq., presided.
Lord Sondes had been appointed Lord High Steward of the Borough.
Aug. 2nd.—Many visitors were arriving, chiefly from Cambridge and the Isle of Ely.
A Poor’s rate of 1s. 6d. in the £ had been signed.
Aug. 5th.—At the Roads Regatta the following yachts entered:—
| Name. | Tons. | Owner. |
| Phantom | 25 | S. Lane, Esq. |
| Thought | 28 | C. Coope, Esq. |
| Sheldrake | 17 | Capt. Love. |
The Sheldrake gave up and the others were timed as follows:—
| 1st round. | 2nd round. | 3rd round. | ||||||
| H. | M. | S. | H. | M. | S. | H. | M. | S. |
Thought | 12 | 56 | 0 | 1 | 48 | 0 | 2 | 41 | 6 |
Phantom | 12 | 58 | 45 | 1 | 50 | 48 | 2 | 45 | 5 |
In the yawl match the “Queen Victoria” beat the “Eclipse,” “Royal Victoria” and “Cambridge Lass.”
The dinner was held at the Victoria Hotel, the Mayor in the chair. The Earl of Albemarle, Mr. Butcher, Mr. C. Cory, Mr. C. J. Palmer, and Mr. Seaman took part in the after dinner proceedings.
Steamers continued to pass through the Roads on their way to the Baltic.
Aug. 9th.—Edward Tupman and Edward Gill, captains of vessels, bound for the North, had been charged with assaulting S. C. Marsh, Esq., Deputy-Mayor, and fined £5 each or two months’ imprisonment, and also 50s. each and 15s. damage to clothes, for assaulting Mr. Joseph Giles (gaoler).
Aug. 12th.—Sir John Walsham had held an Inquiry as to the Election of Guardians and “impounded” several voting papers.
The screw frigate “Horatio” had been in the Roads and visited by numbers of persons.
It was rumoured that some 40 vessels, known as “Barking Smacks” were likely to be added to the local fishing fleet.
The Centenary of the Baptist Church, Church Plain, had been celebrated.
Messrs. Charles Gill and William Sidney had become lessees of the Theatre.
Aug. 19th.—The “Amateur,” latteen (F. Brown), Norwich, won the prize at the Water Frolic.
Aug. 26th.—Seven thousand excursionists had been brought by train from Norwich and other places to the Races.
George Winkfield (Yarmouth), John Chambers (Hull), George Bell, (Fakenham), Robert Todd (Yarmouth), J. Bitten (Yarmouth), Charles Reed (Yarmouth), and T. R. Mills (Southtown), were charged with obstructing the Hall Quay (but in fact for holding a religious service there.) They were defended by Mr. Tillett, of Norwich; Chambers was fined 40s. and costs.
Aug. 30th.—“Lodgings was scarcely to be obtained” in the town.
There was a band of thieves about who had extracted “the contents of many pockets.”
The question of the “open air preachers” was again before the Justices, when the fine proposed to be inflicted on Chambers was abandoned, it being, in fact, admitted that, under the circumstances of the case there was no power to inflict it.
Sep. 2nd.—A meeting had been held (the Rev. G. Hills presiding) to consider the further restoration of St. Nicholas’ Church.
Thirty boats were gone to the Scotch fisheries, and herring was selling at from £8 to £14 per last.
A foot race for £5 over 100 yards had been run on the South-denes, when Mr. Browne beat Mr. George Diver by half a yard.
Sep. 6th.—The gas lamps at Gorleston and Southtown had been lighted for the first time.
No minister had attended at St. Mary’s, Southtown, to conduct the Sunday morning service.
Sep. 9th.—The Justices had again refused to grant any fresh licenses.
Sep. 18th.—The “Ada,” a barque of 435 tons, had been launched from Mr. Thomas Barber’s yard.
The Russian Barque “Carolina” had been sold by E. H. L. Preston, Esq., at the Star, for £1,110, and her cargo of 321 tons of salt for £347, making a total of £1,457.
Sep. 20th.—The proposed grant of a piece of land by the Corporation, for the purpose of a cemetery, had been approved by the Secretary of State.
Sep. 23rd.—The French frigate “Expeditive,” 20 guns, was anchored in the Roads, and a dead body had been landed from her for interment.
Sept. 27th.—The coal trade was unusually brisk; during the week 70 colliers had arrived at the port, and these, with the other daft there, crowded the Harbour.
After the 1st of October the drapers had determined to close their shops at seven o’clock.
Messrs. Mann, Giles, and Freeman, “extensive fish salesmen,” had been summoned for allowing “swills” to remain on the Quay longer than necessary for their business purposes.
Oct. 4th.—At the revision of the Burgess List, the Liberals had lodged 59 objections and put in 347 new claims, and the Tories had made 373 objections.
The telegraphic announcement of the great victory of the allied armies over the Russians (Battle of the Alma) had been received shortly after eleven o’clock, and created intense excitement; the flags had been hoisted on the Town Hall and the Church, and but for the interference with divine service, the bells, doubtless, would have sent forth a merry peal.
Thanksgivings had been offered in all places of worship for the abundant harvest.
Oct. 7th.—The Borough Revision Court had been engaged with the Lists for three days and a half; the Liberals sustained 300 claims, as against 50 sustained by the Tories.
Oct. 11th.—Mr. Wright (who had been objected to) was charged before the Justices for assaulting Sergeant James Gowen (the Tory objector) and bound over to keep the peace. There was a warm discussion on the Bench during these proceedings between Mr. R. Hammond and Mr. R. Steward.
At the Revision of the Parliamentary List, Mr. Cufaude and Mr. Preston appeared for the Tories, and Mr. Costerton for the Liberals, and the latter claimed a gain upon the proceedings.
Oct. 18th.—A “great meeting” of Liberals had been held at the Star Inn; G. Danby-Palmer, Esq., (chairman), Captain Pearson, R.N., J. W. Shelly, Esq., R. Hammond, Esq., W. T. McCullagh, Esq., J. Clowes, Esq., J. Owles, Esq., and Mr. Jackson took part in the proceedings.
At the Gaol Sessions, N. Palmer, Esq., (Recorder) and R. Steward, Esq., (acting as Visiting Justices) had dismissed the Gaol Chaplain (Rev. George Hills). This action was deprecated by some of the Justices, and ultimately the question was referred by them to the Quarter Sessions.
An “impudent thief” had picked a woman’s pocket, while she was in the Police-court.
Oct. 21st.—The New Bridge had been completed, and formally opened to the public, at a cost of little less than £60,000.
H.M. yacht “Fairy” had arrived in the Harbour.
Ladies were collecting linen rags for the wounded soldiers in the East.
Oct. 25th.—Mr. R. Hammond and the Mayor (Mr. Cherry) were at “loggerheads” with regard to certain statements made by the former gentleman at the Liberal meeting.
The “Gælan,” a French man-of-war, had entered the Harbour for the purpose of coaling.
One hundred and thirteen young persons had been confirmed at St. Nicholas’ Church by the Bishop of Norwich.
Nov. 1st.—A “patriotic fund” meeting had been held at the Town Hall, the Mayor (J. Cherry, Esq.) in the chair. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., Sir E. Travers, K. H., Rev. J. S. Russell, Rev. B. Vaux, Rev. J. B. Bampton, Rev. McSwiney, C. J. Palmer, R. Steward, R. Hammond, George Danby-Palmer, J. W. Shelly, C. C. Aldred, Esqs., and Captains Gilbertson and Roberts, and others were present, and a subscription list opened, which was headed by donations of £25 each from Messrs. Gurney & Co., George Danby-Palmer, Esq., and Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P.
Nov. 4th.—At the Municipal Election “it was rumoured that no small amount of ready cash had been sent into circulation.”
The result of the polling was—
St.George’s Ward. | |
Mr. H. Jay (C) | 137 |
Mr. R. Ferrier, junr. (C) | 139 |
Captain Pearson R.N. (L) | 99 |
Mr. Jas. Scott (L) | 99 |
RegentWard. | |
Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart. (C) | 128 |
Mr. J. Cherry (C) | 126 |
Mr. John Clowes (L) | 88 |
Mr. Henry Danby-Palmer (L) | 87 |
MarketWard. | |
Mr. J. Fenn (C) | 186 |
Mr. J. E. Barnby (C) | 184 |
Mr. J. Cobb (L) | 133 |
Mr. D. R. Fowler (L) | 123 |
Mr. S. Nightingale (C) | 203 |
Mr. W. H. Bessey (C) | 187 |
Mr. R. Hammond (L) | 187 |
Mr. H. Boulter (L) | 173 |
And the Alderman gave his casting vote in favour of Mr. Bessey.
NelsonWard. | |
Mr. J. Clark (C) | 184 |
Mr. S. V. Moore (L) | 182 |
Mr. J. H. Harrison (L) | 122 |
GorlestonWard. | |
Mr. William H. Palmer (C) | 131 |
Mr. W. Hammond (C) | 118 |
Mr. G. Blake (L) | 61 |
Mr. Sterry (L) | 46 |
Messrs. Henry Palmer, C. J. Palmer, C. H. Chamberlin, William T. Clarke, E. R. Palmer, and F. W. Ferrier had been appointed Admiralty Commissioners.
Nov. 11th.—At the Council meeting Mr. E. H. L. Preston proposed and Mr. Worship seconded, Charles J. Palmer, Esq., as Mayor for the ensuing year, and he was elected to that office without opposition.
Nov. 15th.—The question of the formation of a “Burial Board” was being discussed.
The Naval Hospital was being prepared for 350 sick and wounded from the Black Sea fleet.
Nov. 18th.—The Mayor (C. J. Palmer, Esq.), had issued cards for an entertainment at the Town Hall on the 30th inst.
Mr. J. L. Porter had been appointed manager of the National Provincial Bank at Yarmouth.
The Police had contributed one day’s pay to the Patriotic Fund.
The “Tourist,” London passenger steamer, Captain Dawson, had been lost on the North Sand. She was a very old vessel, and it was stated that this would have been her last voyage if no accident had happened to her; she was fully insured.
Nov. 22nd.—Messrs. Gurney & Co’s. new Bank had been opened.
A poll had been taken on the question of the formation of a “Burial Board,” when the voting on the first day was—
| For the Board | 312 |
| Against it | 311 |
A meeting of Ratepayers was subsequently held and the scheme denounced by several speakers.
Nov. 29th.—The Town Council had re-appointed the Rev. G. Hills, gaol chaplain “with only two dissentients.”
Nearly £1,000 had been raised for the Patriotic Fund.
The polling for the Burial Board had closed as under—
| For | 468 |
| Against | 544 |
| Majority | 76 |
The “Sir William Jolliffe” had been placed on the station in the place of the “Tourist.”
Dec. 13th.—Messrs. Dumbleton, Bradbeer, Palmer, and Bunn had complained to the Bench of the obstructions on the Quay.
Dec. 23rd.—The Council had “suspended” the sexton for alleged misconduct.
The grocers and drapers had determined to close their shops on the day following Christmas Day.
“The Skimmer of the Sea,” a barque of 320 tons, had been launched from Mr. Branford’s yard.
Dec. 30th.—The East Norfolk Militia having been permanently embodied, had assembled under the command of Colonel Mason, but the Norfolk Militia Artillery had not been called up.
T. Brightwen, Esq., had qualified as a Magistrate.
Several large packages of warm clothing had been forwarded by the ladies of the town for the use of the soldiers in the Crimea.
C. J. Palmer, Esq., had entertained the inmates of the Gaol.
Pickpockets were again in town, and John Webb had been robbed by them of £4 15s.
Mr. Smyth had been appointed Surgeon to the Gaol in the place of Mr. H. Worship deceased.