Dec. 16th.—The following smacks were reported to be missing:—“Driving Mist” (Mr. Yaxley), “Leveret” and “Three Sisters” (Mr. Nockolds), “Ranger” (Mr. Norton), “Rhine” (Mr. Symonds), “Osprey” (Mr. Harrison), “Temperance Star” (Mr. Simlett), “Essex” (Mr. Carter), “Rainbow” (Mr. Moore), “Twilight” and “North Star” (Mr. Shuckford), “Gihon” (Mr. Todd), and the “Volunteer” (Mr. Veale.)
The “Volunteer” steamtug, belonging to Mr. S Fill had been lost, owing to her having sprung a leak when about 40 miles from the land, while cruising about to find the missing smacks, and the crew reported that they had left her in a sinking state.
Dec. 19th.—The following had been the winners of prizes in the N.A.V. competition:—Corporal Baker, and gunners Manship, Riches, Bartram, Shrimpling, Rainer; sergeant Steward; gunners Watson, Davy, Wetherell; sergeants Cocks and Robinson; corporal Beevor; bombardiers Greenwood, Nutman, Self; and gunners Stringer, Thompson, R. Cory and Howes.
The presentation took place at the Drill-room, Regent-street, when the Mayor presided, and Captains Foreman and Barber also addressed the Volunteers.
Dec. 23rd.—The thirteen smacks above-named were still missing.
Dec. 26th.—C. J. Palmer, Esq. (President of the Institution) had read a paper upon the history of the building occupied as the Public Library and the Port Dues Office, at a Conversazione held therein.
The Mayor’s Testimonial Fund had reached the sum of £200.
The “Medusa” frigate was searching for the missing smacks.
Dec. 30th.—There was a warm discussion going on as to the use of one of the Town fire engines at the burning of a vessel named the “Spray,” Mr. C. C. Aldred holding that it should not have been so used, while Mr. Falcke warmly supported the opposite view of the case.
The following gentlemen then held commissions in the local Volunteer Corps.