June 4th.—This issue contains the following account of
“THE CHANNEL FLEET AND PRINCE ALFRED.”
For several days after Wednesday last, a number of persons in this town were almost in a fever of expectation as to the arrival of Prince Alfred, in the “St. George;” and in spite of official intimation that the Prince is to be considered on business when with the fleet, and, as a consequence, exempt from municipal honours and popular demonstrations, it was determined to make the most of him here. The forerunners of the “St. George” were boarded and teased by all sorts of enquiries; bills were posted about with the words “the arrival of Prince Alfred” upon them, and all imaginable measures taken to get up excitement. All, however, failed to draw a large number of strangers to the town; and we do not exceed the fact when we say that the visit of the Channel Squadron for a much briefer period in 1860, brought to the town ten times the number of strangers who have come on this occasion. The Mayor of Yarmouth, soon after the fleet arrived, offered to give the officers a dinner if they would accept the invitation; but it was declined. A ball was then offered to be got up, and it was promised that such of the officers as could attend would do so if the ships still remained in the Roads and provided it were got up for the earliest possible day—Monday. A ball was, therefore, decided on for that evening. But some uneasiness was felt as to the non-arrival of the “St. George” with Prince Alfred; and when, on Saturday, the ship did not appear, it began to be feared that she would not come, and the people consoled themselves with such information as that the Admiral—a jolly tar—had amused himself by playing a game of bowls at the Vauxhall Green, &c. Although Admiral Smart and the officers declined to dine with the Mayor on shore, they invited his worship and other gentlemen to dine with them afloat, which the Mayor accepted for Saturday night. On Sunday morning the “St. George” came quietly into the Roads through the Cockle Gat, and anchored at the northern end of the line of ships, abreast of the town, at about half-past eight o’clock. It was reported for some time that the ship which had just arrived was the “Donegal,” but as it became known that it really was the “St. George,” flags were run up in all directions, and persons went to work with their spy glasses, apparently hoping to catch a sight of the Prince. The steamtugs, which ran as passenger boats round the fleet, at once got better freights, and many who took trips in them returned under the impression that they had seen the Prince in the maintop of the “St. George.” Others would have it that the Prince was one of the young officers who was ashore on Sunday afternoon, walking leisurely up and down the drive and elsewhere; this turned out to be correct. But as the Prince was, happily for him, not recognised whilst ashore, he walked about unmolested. Few persons believed that so large a ship as the “St. George” (Captain Egerton) would venture to enter the Roads through the Cockle, but to the surprise of many local nautical authorities she sailed through as cleanly as any fishing cutter, and dropped anchor in as familiar a manner as might have been expected from an old visitant of these waters. Soon after she had anchored the “St. George” was boarded by Mr. Watson, secretary of the Sailors’ Home, who brought off messages and letters. Prince Alfred went on shore, incognito, in the afternoon, as did also a large number of other midshipmen and older officers. On Monday morning, the town authorities, and sightseers generally, were on the alert—all being in search of the Prince. But again, as few individuals had a personal knowledge of his Royal Highness, he escaped without recognition, and with Major Cowell (and, we believe, other gentlemen) he drove out into the country. As to this and other proceedings of the Prince during the day, there were scores of different reports; but we believe we are correct in saying that, after his trip inland, His Royal Highness went from the Beach, in the boat of which he is midshipman, on board the “St. George.” On board the ship the Mayor and Town Clerk were, we understand, introduced to the Prince, and courteously received. Between two and three o’clock p.m., the Prince, Admiral Smart, Major Cowell, and the Hon. Manners Sutton (with whom the Prince had consented to partake of luncheon, at Kimberley Terrace), came on shore, accompanied in the boat by the Mayor and Town Clerk. His Royal Highness, the Hon. Manners Sutton, and Major Cowell, then walked down to the Cricket Ground at the South Denes, where a party of officers from the fleet were playing a game of cricket with the members of the Yarmouth Club. It had been reported that the Prince would visit the Cricket Ground, and the consequence was that a large number of persons (probably 2,000) congregated there about two o’clock, over and above those individuals who had been previously attracted to the spot by the match itself, and by the two bands—one from the fleet, and that of the East Norfolk Militia. As soon as His Royal Highness was recognised upon the ground, the crowd rapidly closed in around him, and had it not been for the protection afforded him by the two gentlemen by whom he was accompanied, he would in all likelihood have undergone an unpleasant jostling. So pressing and eager did the inquisitive public become that in a few minutes the Royal sailor and Mr. Sutton commenced a retrograde movement, whereupon the people began running and pushing frantically—going in some instances as the saying hath it, “head over heels.” Remarks such as “That is he!” with comments upon the Prince’s personal appearance, were loud and frequent; and much surprise appeared to be felt that the “Duke of York” should go abroad in the ordinary unassuming attire of a midshipman. Some faint attempts at cheering were assayed, but the clamour of the “hunt” which was got up, overpowered everything but the dust. The Prince took all this good humouredly, and with his two protectors walked sharply on to Kimberley Terrace, pursued all the way up the drive by an immense crowd. Most of the persons going southward, and who met the crowd, had no idea what all the row was about until they were told. His Royal Highness got safely to Mr. Sutton’s house, and in two or three minutes there was in front of the house, close from the area railing to the coping-stones of the drive on the eastward, a dense assemblage, which continued to increase up to five o’clock, when we observed it still standing there.
Lunch over, the Prince, a little after five o’clock, escaped from the back door, unobserved by the crowd, and was enabled to stroll into the town. He went up St. George’s Road, through King Street, down Regent Street, and along the Quay, but did not venture into the Market Row. He then visited Mrs. Onslow, who son is chaplain on board the “St. George,” and, we believe, a tutor of the Prince.
The cricket match terminated in favour of the naval men, who had, we hear, 69 runs to spare. In the first innings the Yarmouth players had the best of it, but in the second the bowling of Midshipman Lawson made sad havoc among the batsmen.
The Ball at the Town Hall was well attended, and went off with great éclat. The Prince, of course, was not present; but in the course of the evening Admiral Smart and a party of naval officers—who were brought up to the Quay-side, opposite the Hall, in the “Porpoise” gunboat—joined the assembly and remained until after midnight.
The number of visitors to the ships increased considerably on Tuesday (this) morning, when it became known that an order had been received for the ships to hold themselves in readiness for sailing next day.
Altogether the visit of the fleet on this occasion has been a brilliant affair; and the public have had ample time to inspect the ships, some of which might much oftener, with advantage, find a berth in Yarmouth Roads.
The town has not, we believe, been visited by a Royal personage since the time that Prince William (afterwards King) and the Princess Adelaide landed here, and remained for the night at the Angel Hotel.
June 7th.—At the Channel Fleet Ball among those present were the Mayor, the Town Clerk, Sir E. Lacon, M.P., Admiral Smart, Captain Fellowes, R.N., Captain Egerton, R.N., Lieutenant the Hon. F. Gordon, Mr. and Miss I. Preston, Lord W. Kerr and other naval officers, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. L. Preston, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Aldred, Misses Cubitt, Mr. A. and Misses Steward, &c. Next day a large number of persons visited the fleet, and dancing took place on the ships’ decks.
Colonel Ibetson had inspected the Rifle Volunteers on the Denes.
The “Ino” (a pleasure boat) had capsized when alongside the “St. George,” but all the people in her were saved.
June 11th.—At the Vestry Meeting, the “Small Tenements Act” was proposed to be applied to the parish.
Several houses and men had been struck by lightning during a thunderstorm.
June 14th.—The programme for the Volunteer Review had been published; it was expected that 3,324 men would take part in it.
June 18th.—The Dinner to the Volunteers on this occasion was to take place on St. George’s Denes; there were to be 17 tables, and the dining room to cover 7,550 feet of ground. One quart of beer per man had been offered by Sir E. Lacon to the Volunteers.
June 21st.—The Review had taken place and proved a great success: there were 3,324 men actually on the Denes. At the Dinner held on St. George’s Denes, the Mayor presided, and after giving the toasts of “The Queen” and “The Royal Family,” he gave “The Army, Navy, and Militia,” to which Colonel Grey, C.B., Captain Lacon, R.N., and Colonel Adair responded. The Mayor then gave “The Volunteers,” to which Colonel Brett replied, and “The Lord Lieutenants of Norfolk and Suffolk,” which was acknowledged by Lord Suffield (Vice-Lieutenant of Norfolk) and Colonel Adair. The Mayor then gave “The High Sheriff,” who responded. The Mayor then gave “The Lord High Steward,” responded to by Lord Sondes, and “The health of Colonel Grey,” to which that officer replied; also “The Brigadiers of the Day,” replied to by Colonels Custance, Sir E. Lacon, and Astley. The High Sheriff then proposed “The Mayor,” to which his Worship responded, and the healths of the Rev. H. Nevill, of the Noblemen and Gentlemen “who had honoured us with their presence,” of “Mr. Charles J. Palmer” and “The Ladies” were also given and responded to. It was considered that “The Mayor and gentlemen who formed the Committee of Management, and particularly Mr. Charles J. Palmer, well deserved the thanks of the public and the Volunteers.”