1857.
Jan. 8th. “Volunteer” steam-tug on fire in the harbour.
Jan. 13th. Inauguration Dinner of the Eastern Star Provident Association Friendly Society held at the Corn Hall. The society started with near 900 members in 12 branches established in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Jan. Rorqual whale, 45 feet in length, and weighing about 20 tons, caught at Winterton, and exhibited on Wrestler’s Plain.
Feb. 6th. Mr. J. B. Beales appointed Inspector of Weights and Measures, succeeded by Mr. E. D. Louttid, who resigned the office in Jan., 1871; and on Feb. 27th, 1871, Mr. F. W. Robinson was appointed. (See 1874.)
Feb. 20th. Man-of-war ship “Blenheim,” 74 guns, anchored in the Roadstead.
Feb. 28th. The schooner “Branch” launched from Mr. Fellows’ yard.
Mar. 1st. The iron screw-collier “Isby” run ashore south of Caister.
Mar. 28th. E. Watkin and W. Torrens McCullagh, Esqs., returned to Parliament for the Borough, by a majority of 158. Parliament dissolved on Mar. 21st. Grand procession of the United Seamen’s Association.
Mar. Mr. George Tewsley appointed Superintendent of the Borough Police. (See 1872, 1877, and 1878.)
April. A fine sturgeon, a Royal fish, caught off Yarmouth.
A mammoth tusk picked up at sea, which measured 4 ft. on the bend and 21 in. in girth.
May 15th. Thackeray, the novelist, lectured in Yarmouth: Subject—Georges III. and IV.
May 16th. Emily Major, dressed in male attire, attempted to escape from Gaol.
May 27th. Two Russian trophies received at Yarmouth. The Mayor applied to Lord Panmure for them in June, 1856.
June 7th. Corner-stone of St. John’s Church laid. This building, which cost £2,000, was opened Feb. 7th, 1858. In 1859 the southern aisle was added as a memorial to the late Miss Maurice, and opened by Bishop Hills before his departure for British Columbia.
June 8th. The Bill authorising the construction of the Britannia Pier read a third time and passed. This Pier was opened by a public company, July 13th, 1858, which has since dissolved.
Aug. 28th. Meeting of the British Archæological Association at the Town Hall.
Aug. 29th. The House of Commons decided the election to Parliament of W. T. McCullagh and E. Watkins, Esqs., as invalid. A. W. Young and J. Mellor, Esqs., were returned to Parliament in their place; the next day a monster meeting, between 10,000 and 12,000 people being present, was held on the Quay. E. Watkin, Esq., was drawn by men, by means of a rope attached to his carriage, from the Railway Station round the town.
Sept. 15th. Two Prize Fights took place on the banks of the Yare, between Batson and Slack, and Stamp and Turner.
Sept. 18th. Meeting at the Town Hall on the Indian Mutinies; £233 17s. subscribed in the room for the sufferers.
Sept. 24th. Organ at St. Peter’s Church opened. It was built by Messrs. Bishop and Starr, at a cost of £400.
Sept. 30th. Day of National Fasting and Humiliation.
Oct. 14th. Dinner given to Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., at the Town Hall.
Oct. 22nd. Loss of the s.s. “Ontario” and 24 of her crew, on the Barber Sand. A dreadful gale and great destruction to the shipping.
Oct. Government Schools of Art and Navigation established, mainly through the exertions of the Rev. J. B. Bampton.—Exhibition of Paintings, &c., held at these schools in 1860. These schools occupy part of a Mansion formerly the residence of the Paget family.
Oct. 29th. Demonstration of the Liberal party at the Town Hall.
Nov. 12th. A warm Vestry Meeting (the second) at the Town Hall for making a Church Rate of 1½d. in the £, to include St. Peter’s. The report of the Church property in the town was made by a committee appointed at the first meeting, and it was resolved that no rate should be made. The Church party demanded a poll, which lasted till the following afternoon, but they lost it by 121 majority. The Church party finding they were defeated, the Parish Church and St. George’s Chapel Clocks were stopped till Dec. 22nd, when they were set going after nearly six weeks’ rest.
Nov. 17th. T. P. Burroughs, Esq., passed his examination for admission as a Solicitor.
Dec. 4th. The steamship “Rapid,” of Leith, sunk on the Cross Sands, and in 1858 divers were employed to raise some of her stores, consisting of wine, drapery goods, hearthrugs, smoked meats, tins of herrings, &c., which were sold at St. George’s Hall, Corn Hall, and on Hall Quay.