11.—The Norwich Town Council completed the arrangements respecting the purchase by the Corporation of the Foundry Bridge tolls, and empowered the City Committee to negotiate for the borrowing of £8,000 for the purpose. The new iron bridge which replaced the old wooden structure was opened for traffic on June 29th. It was erected by Messrs. Bradley and Co., of Wakefield, from designs by Mr. C. D. Atkinson, of the same town, at the cost of £800.
12.—Major-General Pasley, Government Inspector, accompanied by the Lord Bishop of Norwich, and several of the directors, proceeded in “a train of carriages” from the Norwich terminus to Yarmouth by the new Yarmouth and Norwich Railway. This was the first train that ran out of the city, and its departure was witnessed by thousands of the inhabitants. (See April 30.)
20.—The Scots Greys, during the week ending this date, marched from the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, en route to Edinburgh.
20.*—“The parish clerk of St. Peter’s, Terrington, has caused his coffin and gravestone to be prepared, although in excellent health. The former he keeps in his sleeping room, and uses as a wardrobe, and the latter stands in the church, ready to be put down when required. The stone contains the following:—
“This aged clerk, long ere he died,
His coffin had and placed by his bedside;
His neighbours all well know the truth is spoke—
’Twas made of Mr. John Perry’s best oak;
His old friend Death just touch’d him with his spear
And in pure kindness laid him quietly here.
“The upper part of the stone contains the name, with blanks for cutting age, &c., when the time of his dissolution shall take place.”
24.—Died at Boyland Hall, aged 66, the Hon. Frederick Paul Irby, C.B., Rear-Admiral of the White. He was born April 18th, 1779, and was second son of the second Baron Boston. He entered the Navy in 1791, was present in Lord Howe’s action on June 1st, 1793, at Camperdown under Lord Duncan, and afterwards saw much active service. He was severely wounded in an action fought with a French frigate off the Isle of Los, on the coast of Guinea.
—Died in Julian Place, Norwich, aged 38, Mr. Thomas Wiggins. “He had been proprietor of and a celebrated whip on the Phenomena coach from Norwich to London for several years, and was much respected by all for his skill as a coachman.”
30.—The Yarmouth and Norwich Railway was formally opened on this date. The county was indebted to Mr. R. Stephenson, the celebrated engineer and “father of railways,” for the introduction of the line. He and his friends, supported to a limited extent only by residents in Norwich and Yarmouth, contemplated it as the commencement of a grand line from the east to the west of England, in connection with other systems extending north and south. The prospectus was issued on January 15th, 1842; the Act of Parliament obtained June 18th, 1842; and the first meeting of proprietors held at the Victoria Hotel, Yarmouth, on August 5th, 1842. The total cost of the undertaking was estimated at £200,000. The first half-yearly meeting of shareholders was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, on February 26th, 1843. Messrs. Grissell and Peto constructed the line, at the cost of £10,000 per mile. The rolling stock of the company consisted of five locomotives and a number of passenger carriages, supplied by Mr. Wright, of London. “The third class are six-wheeled carriages, open, and at present without seats. We trust they will not long continue so; the inconvenience of standing, especially to females, during a journey in cold weather, will be very great.” Thousands of persons assembled at Thorpe Station to witness the departure of the first train at 10.30, hundreds thronged the line at various points, and a great crowd gathered at Yarmouth to see the arrival. Howlett’s brass band occupied a third-class carriage next the engine, and the other carriages were reserved for 200 guests, specially invited by the directors. The train started amid loud cheers, and accomplished the journey in 50½ minutes; the return trip was done in 44 minutes. At four o’clock a dinner was held at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. S. M. Peto, supported right and left by the Mayors of
Norwich and Yarmouth. The railway was opened for public traffic on May 1st, when 1,015 passengers were booked.