“The Cigar Ship.—This novel specimen of marine architecture, known as the ‘cigar ship,’ put into this harbour on Friday last, and has since continued to be an object of great curiosity among our seafaring population. The vessel, which is named the ‘Walter S. Winans,’ was built by the firm of Messrs. Winans, American contractors, and is stated to be on an experimental cruise, with the view of thoroughly testing her sea-going qualities. She is fitted with a screw propeller, the fans of which are entirely submerged. Her engines are of 35 horse power, but can be worked up to 50, and it is stated she has attained a speed of 14 miles an hour. The peculiarity of her build gives her a singular appearance, her cone-shaped bow projecting for some distance clear of the water, while her stern is more depressed. This gives her a very unsightly look, and it is evident that her builders have sacrificed everything in her construction to attain a high rate of speed, her berthing and general accommodation being of an inferior character compared with other sea-going steamers.”
April 4th.—The question of purchasing the Ferries had been considered by the Town Council, the price asked for them being £9,500, and the Committee of the Council had recommended the purchase, but on division the motion to do this was lost by 11 to 10 votes.
April 8th—Messrs. Ellis, Pestell, Skoulding, and Harbord had been re-appointed overseers.
April 15th.—The following Guardians had been elected:—North Ward: Messrs. Nightingale, Neave, and Buston. Market Ward: Messrs. Laws, Aldred, and Fenn. Regent Ward: Messrs. Worship, Barber, and Diver. St. George’s Ward: Messrs. Scott, Foreman, and Palmer. Nelson Ward: Messrs. Woolverton, Moore, Bracey, and Clowes.
April 22nd.—Large numbers of codling, plaice, and whiting were being taken in the dykes near the Acle New Road. It was supposed that these salt-water fish were left there by the floods of the previous December, when the Breydon Wall had been broken.
May 2nd.—The “Everette” had foundered at her anchors in the Roads.
The Fish Wharf was to be extended 1,100 feet, for which work Mr. Parmenter’s tender of £1,375 had been accepted.
May 23rd.—The property “without the Walls” had been for the first time assessed to the land tax.
May 27th.—The Queen’s Birthday had been observed as a general holiday, and a salute of 21 guns fired from the South Battery by the Norfolk Artillery Militia, under the command of Colonel Lord Suffield.
May 30th,—That Regiment had been inspected by Colonel Knox.