The magistrates on the salvage rota had been restrained from charging, as heretofore, fees of £2 2s. by the Secretary of State.
July 15th.—Charles Rushmer, one of the men killed at the Water Frolic, who was a member of the Norfolk Artillery Volunteers, had been buried with military honours; it was stated that “this was the only death that had occurred among the Volunteers” since the formation of the corps in the town.
Three thousand excursionists had arrived in one day from East Suffolk.
July 18th.—The Channel Fleet, consisting of the following ships (under the command of Rear-Admiral Dacres) was in the Roads:—“Edgar” (flagship), 71 guns, 800 men, 600 horse-power, Captain Church; “Emerald” (frigate), 35 guns, 510 men, 600 horse-power, Captain Cummings; “Liverpool,” 39 guns, 540 men, 600 horse-power, Captain Lambert; “Black Prince” (armour plated), 40 guns, 726 men, 1,200 horse-power, Captain Wainwright; “Royal Oak,” 35 guns, 547 men, 800 horse-power, Captain Campbell; “Resistance,” 16 guns, 482 men, 600 horse-power, Captain Chamberlin; “Warrior,” 40 guns, 706 men, 1,200 horse-power, Captain Cochrane; “Defence,” 16 guns, 468 men, 600 horse-power, Captain Phillimore; “Trinculo,” (tender), 2 guns, 20 men. It was nearly dark by the time the last vessel of the squadron took up her moorings; numbers of persons, nevertheless, remained on the Beach to a late hour, watching the lights displayed by the vessels as they laid at their anchorage.
At eight o’clock on Wednesday morning, a salute of eleven guns was fired from the Admiral’s ship, in acknowledgment of the salute by the Volunteers the previous evening. During the whole of Wednesday the fleet was inspected by large numbers of visitors, who left the Britannia Pier in steamers plying to and from the squadron at reasonable fares, while the pier itself was the resort of many interested in watching the constant arrival and departure of men-of-war boats, freighted with provisions and stores, or in bringing officers on shore on leave. At one o’clock, the Mayor, and a party on board, left the bridge in the steamboat “Emperor,” to pay an official visit to the Admiral. The Mayor was accompanied on the occasion by C. J. Palmer, W. Nightingale, C. C. Aldred, W. Holt, G. S. Shingles, W. T. Foreman, W. Johnson, J. Clarke, B. Fenn, E. P. Youell, W. Laws, J. H. Orde, J. Stephenson, and J. Bunn, Esqs. On arriving at the flag-ship the party were most courteously received by Captain Hornby, in the absence of the Admiral, who, unfortunately, was on shore. After remaining a short time inspecting the “Edgar,” the party proceeded to the “Warrior,” where they were received by the Hon. Captain Cochrane, who escorted them over the ship. This was by far the most interesting feature of the excursion the powerful armament and splendid construction of this truly noble vessel exciting the admiration of all. The crew, numbering upwards of 700, were all found busily engaged at their varied avocations, some intent upon their drill at the huge Armstrong guns, while others were pursuing more peaceful avocations. The interior arrangements of the “Warrior,” as a ship of war, have been so frequently and fully described, that it is unnecessary to allude further to them, suffice it to say that, after viewing all parts of the vessel, one could but feel that England had but little to fear from foreign invasion, while guarded by such bulwarks of defence. The Mayor, with his friends, having made the tour of the fleet, returned to the Britannia Pier and disembarked. The Mayor then proceeded to the Victoria Hotel, where the Admiral was understood to be staying, but was again unsuccessful in having an interview with him, as he had just previously left to go on board his flag-ship. Under these circumstances, the Mayor addressed a letter to the gallant officer, expressing his regret at not meeting him, and tendering on behalf of the town an invitation to himself and officers to attend a ball at the Town Hall, on Monday evening, expressing a hope that his arrangements would enable him to accept it.”
The Fleet were, however, compelled to leave on the Sunday afternoon.
July 25th.—A Bazaar in aid of the Town Charities had been held, when Mrs. Nevill, Mrs. A. B. Crosse, Mrs. C. J. Palmer, Mrs. J. Brown, Mrs. G. Palmer, Mrs. Rivers, Mrs. F. Frere, and Mrs. Harmer had stalls.
July 29th.—Captain William Alfred Glasspoole had been appointed A.D.C. to Major-General Honner, C.B., commanding the Scinde Division of the Indian Army.
Aug. 1st.—At the Regatta the “Gipsy Queen,” of Winterton, had won the yawl race, and the “Little Yankee” (Captain Cholmondley) and the “Belvidere” (T. M. Read, Esq.,) the small yacht races.
And at the Water Frolic, the “Red Rover” (S. Nightingale, Esq.,) had beaten the “Wanderer” (R. Harvey, Esq.,) and the “Little Yankee” (Captain Cholmondley).