11.—During a heavy gale at Yarmouth, six vessels were driven ashore, and many other shipping casualties were reported.
21.—A meeting of the promoters of the Lynn and Fakenham Railway was held at Fakenham, and the necessary steps taken in furtherance of the scheme. (See May 21st, 1880.)
24.—Died, suddenly, at Norwich, in his 65th year, Mr. Thomas Jarrold, the last survivor of the three brothers who comprised the well-known firm of Jarrold and Sons. Mr. Jarrold took especial interest in the education of the poor, in acknowledgment of which his friends, shortly before his death, presented him with his portrait.
26.—The new Middle Level Sluice, at Wiggenhall St. Mary, near King’s Lynn, was opened by Mr. E. Fellowes, M.P., chairman of the Middle Level Commission. This sluice replaced the one designed by Mr. J. Walker and constructed by Brogden, of Manchester, at the cost of £30,000, in 1842, which gave way on May 4th, 1862, with the widespread and disastrous consequences known as the Middle Level inundation. After many unsuccessful attempts to construct a dam across the drain, Sir John Hawkshaw, C.E., was called in, and he eventually succeeded in that object, and under his advice sixteen large iron syphons, with the necessary engine and apparatus for exhausting air from them, were constructed upon the dam, so as to secure an outlet of the drainage without admitting sea water from the Ouze. These syphons answered very well for years, but were not equal to the task. The Commissioners went to Parliament in 1874, and obtained powers to raise money to construct a new sluice, from designs by Sir J. Hawkshaw, at an estimated cost of between £50,000 and £60,000, and the work was commenced by the contractor, Mr. Webster, in September, 1874.
DECEMBER.
3.—Died at Hindringham, in his 93rd year, Mr. William Freeman, formerly resident in Norwich. He was appointed Sheriff in 1842, and elected Mayor in 1843.
7.—Mr. Harry Bullard, Sheriff of Norwich, was presented by the clerks and heads of departments at the Anchor Brewery with his portrait, painted in oil by Mr. Ventnor.
19.—Died at Birmingham, in his 79th year, Mr. George Smith, for many years manager of the Norwich Theatrical Circuit. “If unsuccessful in his managerial speculations, he was much esteemed for his kindly disposition, and had in Norwich at one time hosts of friends.”
26.—The pantomime produced at Norwich Theatre, by Mr. G. H. Chaplin, was entitled, “Sinbad the Sailor.” At the Skating Rink, then known as the Vaudeville Theatre, was performed the extravaganza, “Turko the Terrible; or Prince Amabel and the Fairy Roses.” Messrs. Stoodley and Hamilton’s Circus was opened on the Castle Meadow.