1876.
Jan. 3rd. Quarter Sessions. No prisoners for trial, a maiden session not having occurred for more than 20 years, the Mayor presented the Recorder with a pair of white kid gloves.—R. H. I. Palgrave, Esq., qualified as a magistrate for the Borough.
Jan. 4th. Arthur George Thompson (22), incautiously walked on an overhanging cornice at the top of the new Temple, Priory Plain, from which he fell 45 feet to the ground and was killed. The falling débris so injured Thomas Kirk as to result fatally.
Jan. 6th. Five of Mr. Malden’s smacks sold for £2,775.
Jan. 6th. Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball at Town Hall.
Jan. 10th. A woman (73), named Hannah Ives, was brutally murdered with a spade by an insane woman, named Swatman, at Belton.
Jan. 13th. Fire in the Card-room of the Town Hall, under the hearthstone, and damage done to the extent of £15 or £16.
Jan. 19th. The smack “Charley,” belonging to Mr. Alfred Fisher, launched from Mr. Fellows’ yard.
Jan. 20th. Marriage of Reginald Thorsby Gwyn, Esq., Captain of the 4th King’s Own Royals, and Adjutant of the 4th Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, with Miss Mary Joanna Farr, youngest daughter of Isaac Preston, Esq.
Jan. 23rd. Collision in the Roadstead, about 1 p.m., between the s.s. “Glanabanta” (Capt. Ablitt, of Yarmouth) and the s.s. “Transit.” The latter, with a crew of 21 all told, of Dieppe (described in the Veritas to be 548 tons gross, 373 tons net [French], engines 90 h.p., and built at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1871), was laden with 120 tons of coal and a general cargo of 290 tons, comprising machinery, silk, cotton, and light manufactures, valued between £30,000 and £40,000. The “Transit” was run on to the beach, opposite Trafalgar Road, where her hull still (1884) remains. The “Glanabanta” claimed £5,000 damages; but in a cross action the “Transit” claimed heavier damages, as the loss was computed to be £50,000. In the High Court of Admiralty, Sir R. Phillimore ruled that the “Transit” was alone to blame for the collision; but on an appeal in the High Court of Justice, Lord Justice Baggallay reversed the decision. The salvors were awarded £2,000.
Jan. 23rd. The Rev. Mangan, D.D., LL.D., late Dean of Limerick, after being appointed evening lecturer at St. Peter’s Church, preached his first sermon.
Jan. 26th. The cabin of the brigantine “William Crow,” whilst in harbour, caught fire, and damage was done to the extent of about £200.
Feb. 3rd. First “Spelling Bee” entertainment held in Yarmouth.
Feb. 15th. The Walrond Smack-Beys’ Home opened by Earl Nelson. (See June 22nd, 1875.) This Gothic building cost with fittings about £2,000, and will accommodate about 40 boys.
Feb. 21st. Mr. William Laws, as superintendent of St. Nicholas’ Sunday School since 1844, presented with several testimonials previous to his leaving for Beccles.
Feb. 22nd. East Suffolk Election. Lord Mahon having been elevated to the House of Peers on the death of his father, his seat in Parliament for East Suffolk became vacant, and Lieut.-Colonel St. John Barne (C.) and Charles Easton, Esq. (L.), contested for the seat. Poll—Colonel Barne, 3,659; Mr. Easton, 2,708—majority, 951. Colonel Barne’s election cost £4,140, and Mr. Easton’s £2,312.
Feb. 23rd. Fire at Mr. John Harris’ pipe manufactory, Priory Plain. Damage about £150.
Feb. 23rd and 24th. Sir Randal Roberts, Bart., appeared at the Theatre Royal, and impersonated “Charles Devereux” in the comedietta Under a Veil, written by himself; and on the 25th and 26th he appeared as “Lieutenant Ringston, R.N.,” in Naval Engagements, with the Maitland Blue Beard Burlesque Company.
The Marine Drive widened 60 feet, between Britannia and Wellington Piers, a distance of 3,000 feet; cost, £2,500. (See April 22nd.)
A new gasometer (No. 3), capable of holding 63,000 cubic feet of gas, and its tank 406,350 gallons of water, was erected at the Southtown Gas Works, which, with other modern improvements, cost £5,000.
April 1st. The Hon. Frederick Walpole, of Rainthorpe Hall, Flordon, M.P. for North Norfolk, died in London. Deceased was third surviving son of the third Earl of Orford, and was born in 1822.
April 14th. Loss of the “Cygnet” and all hands.
April 18th. The full-rigged ship “Humboldt,” with 349 emigrants on board, ran on to Winterton Beach.
April 20th. The Rev. G. Merriman, M.A., presented with a gold watch, silver tea service, and a silver claret jug, by the St. James’ congregation.
April 21st. Lieutenant-Colonel James Duff elected a Member of Parliament for North Norfolk, in place of the Hon. F. Walpole, deceased. (See April 1st, 1876, and Nov. 26th, 1868.) Poll—Colonel Duff (C.), 2,302; Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart. (L.), 2,192; majority, 110. Out of the 6,231 voters on register, only 4,494 voted. Number on register in the Borough (including Runham), 1,980; number voted in Yarmouth, 1,380.
April 22nd. R. Morgan, Esq., C.E., Government Board Inspector, visited Yarmouth respecting the borrowing of £3,300 by the Corporation, for widening the Drive, &c.
April 23rd. Lady Elizabeth Susan Orde died at Hopton. She was eldest daughter of Henry Charles, sixth Duke of Beaufort, and born June 23rd, 1798.
April 28th. E. P. Youell, Esq., presented by the parishioners of Gorleston with a massive silver four-glass épergne, value £80, for his zealous exertions in connection with the restoration of Gorleston Church. (See Aug. 14th, 1871.)
May 9th. The Yarmouth brig “Tradesman” lost on the Normandy coast.
June 2nd. Meeting at the Town Hall resolved to have a four-dial clock in St. Peter’s Tower, which was placed there the same year.
June 8th. The Gt. Yarmouth Bowling Green opened.
June 13th. Vice-Admiral Thomas Lewis Gooch, youngest son of the late Sir Thomas Sherlock Gooch, Bart., died at Yarmouth, aged 69 years.
June 22nd. Capt. Wm. Holt, 16 years connected with the 2nd N.R.V., presented, on his retirement, with four elegantly-chased silver dessert spoons by the members of D. Company. (See Dec. 4th, 1883.)
July 8th. Heavy thunderstorm. The electric fluid struck the chimney and entered a cottage in the factory yard, disarranging and breaking the furniture and ornaments in the room; it also did damage to other property in the town, including some amount of destruction of property belonging to Mr. H. Harding, St. Nicholas’ Road, who had a large chimney knocked down and many squares of glass broken.
July 10th. Fire in Church Street, Gorleston. Six cottages burnt down, and three others partly destroyed. Nearly 40 men, women, and children rendered homeless for a time.
July 27th. The Yarmouth Temple dedicated for Divine worship before its completion. Interior dimensions, 72 feet by 52 feet; height, 35 feet. Cost £4,000; accommodates 1,100.
July. St. Peter’s Road footway laid with concrete.
Aug. 8th. Miss E. Pearson, of Yarmouth, and Miss MacLaughlin, left London for Servia, via Vienna, their services as nurses to the sick and wounded in the Eastern war having been accepted by Archbishop Michael, at Belgrade. They were greeted by a torchlight procession on their arrival. (See Aug. 7th, 1871.)
Aug. 21st. The stallage, rents, and tolls in the Market and Fair let by auction for five years from Jan. 1st, 1877, to Messrs. Bower, of Leeds, for £925 per annum. (See Dec. 11th, 1871.) Some 13 years ago, the same lessees gave but £625 per annum.
Aug. 29th. A cyclone of great violence swept over some parts of this district, and carried trees, stacks, &c., away in its narrow track.
Aug. The Registrar-General’s returns show that the mortality of Yarmouth was 15 per 1,000—nine other places only out of 46 being lower.
Sept. 5th. The Yarmouth Aquarium opened to the public with much ceremony, and a recherché luncheon was spread in the corridor.
Sept. 7th. Another new cemetery (No. 3) consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich. It comprises about ten acres. (See Oct. 18th, 1855.)
Sept. 7th and 8th. East of England Great Horse Fête held on Southtown Marshes.
Sept. 8th. Meeting at Town Hall protesting against the Turkish atrocities.
Sept. 11th. Mr. W. J. Lincoln presented with a handsome timepiece by the members of the Foresters’ Court “Star of the East” (2728). He had been 18 years secretary.
Sept. 24th. At 6.30 p.m., an extraordinary meteor, resembling a brilliant ball of fire and shooting stars, illuminated the heavens for several seconds.
Sept. 27th. Commander Horatio Nelson, R.N., son of the late Thomas Atkinson, master of the flag-ship “Victory” at Trafalgar, and godson of the late Admiral Lord Nelson, died at Yarmouth, aged 78.
Oct. 13th. H. E. Buxton, Esq., elected a member of the School Board in place of T. P. Burroughs, Esq., resigned.
Oct. At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, the Revs. R. J. Tacon (Rollesby), and T. J. Blofeld (Ormesby), and G. M. Beck, Esq. (Ormesby), qualified as County Magistrates.
Oct. 16th. Testimonials of £15 sterling—a richly-mounted walking stick, and a pipe—presented to pay-master-Sergt. Grier, on his leaving the E. N. Militia, after 22 years.
Oct. 19th. The screw gunboat “Cherub,” 60 h.p., and two guns, anchored in the Roadstead. Also the screw iron troopship “Assistance,” 1,300 h.p., and two guns, 2,037 tons burthen; and two Tyne gunboats, each having a 35-pounder.
Oct. 22nd. Heavy gale. Loss of the lugger “Cynthia,” and all hands.
Oct. 23rd. First burial in the new Cemetery—Samuel Mannall, many years in the Trinity service, aged 47.
Oct. 28th. A live stag found swimming at sea, over three miles from land. The crew of the smack “Gleaner” picked the animal up, and brought it safely to the Royal Hotel stables.
Nov. 5th. Mr. J. W. Parsley, smack owner, late of Greenwich, died at Gorleston, aged 46.
Nov. 8th. Schooner “Essex” driven ashore, and wrecked south of Gorleston Pier. On the 11th the brig “Vulcan” shared the same fate in the South Ham.
Nov. 15th. Mr. T. Elliot, of Ormesby, presented at the Aquarium with a testimonial—a handsome épergne or candelabrum, with a group of stags at the base—in acknowledgment of public services rendered to numerous charities.
Nov. 15th. Great Conservative Banquet held at the Drill Hall. About 600 guests present, including the members for North Norfolk, and Colonel Barne, M.P.
Nov. 17th. H. R. Harmer, Esq., appointed as Vestry Clerk without a poll, in place of the late Mr. S. Barnard Cory.
Nov. 23rd. Mr. W. Stockton, Master of the School of Navigation, presented with a travelling bag, completely fitted up, a silver pencil case, and set of gold studs, by his old pupils and friends, as a token of esteem.
Nov. The new steam tug “Comet,” built for the Yarmouth Star Steam Tug Company, arrived at this port.
Nov. Mr. Henry Spelman Palmer attained the degree of B.A. at the London University.
Nov. A patent wedge or railway key invented by Mr. James Gillings.
Nov. 29th. Mr. John Woodger, died, aged 63 years. Deceased was a member of the Yarmouth Corporation and Board of Guardians.
Nov. Mr. Thomas Small resigned the Consular Agency after 24 years, and the French Government presented him with a gold medal (in case) in recognition of valuable services.
Dec. 3rd. The Austrian barque “Olympo” stranded on Yarmouth beach. The smack “Steadfast” was lost on the following day, with two hands.
Dec. 6th. Mr. William Rudd presented with a handsome timepiece, silver inkstand and penholder, and two bronze candelabra, by the Sunday School teachers and congregation of St. Andrew’s.
Dec. 7th. Baptist Schoolrooms, Crown Road, built and opened. Cost, £950. The corner-stone was laid July 20th.
Dec. 8th. A black marble timepiece, inlaid with malachite, presented to Mr. J. Johnson (foreman to Messrs. Aldin), by the Directors of the Aquarium, for his skill and assiduity in conducting these prodigious works.
Dec. 12th. The smack “Gnat,” of this port, after a collision, foundered at the Silver Pits, value £1,000.
Dec. 13th. Sir Charles R. Turner, fifth son of the late Rev. Richard Turner of this town, died in London, aged 87.
Dec. 21st. The number of lasts of herrings for the present season landed at the Fishwharf was 18,836. The aggregate earnings of 20 boats amounted to £24,217, i.e., £1,210 per boat, and the gross expenses amounted to about £4,907. The previous year the aggregate of 20 boats was £18,787, i.e., £981 per boat, and the expenses reached £4,582.
Dec. 23rd. The barque “Ingleborough,” of Hull, lost on the Barber Sand. Value, £2,000; cargo, £900. On the 27th the “Countess of Zetland,” damaged by the floating wreck of the above, was ran ashore opposite the Aquarium, where she became a total wreck.
Dec. 28th. James Wright, master of the smack “Olive Branch,” awarded a silver medal by the King of Sweden and Norway for his bravery in saving the crew of a Norwegian brig.
Dec. 30th. H.M. paddle-steamer “Valorous,” and four iron twin-screw gunboats, of 360 tons each, arrived in the Roadstead.
Deaths: March 27th, Mr. J. Barney Beales, sheriff’s officer, aged 82.—Aug. 22nd, the Hon. Mrs. Harbord Harbord, daughter of Sir H. J. Stracey.—Oct. 21st, Mr. S. B. Cory, vestry clerk, aged 80.—Nov. 18th, H. E. B. Giles, solicitor, aged 65.
Launches: Jan. 30th, smack “Flash.”—May, smack “Ruby.”—July, yacht “Harry,” belonging to Mr. H. A. Morris.—July, fishing boat “Arab Steed.”—Aug. 19th, fishing dandy “Challenge.”—Oct. 4th, smacks “Sunbeam” and “Puss.”—Nov. 27th, schooner “Arthur.”—Dec. 11th, trawling smack “Carlisle.”