July. The billyboy “Breeze,” of this port, collided with H.M.S. “Wye,” off Carlton, and foundered.
July 9th. The inhabitants and the Board of Trade awarded Thomas Love and William Mann, of the smack “Fawn” two medals and two watches for their bravery in rescuing five hands from the smack “Bessie,” of London, during the gale of Jan. 30th.
July 10th. Mr. I. S. Cooper’s tender of £325 10s. for each of the two brick mortuary chapels in the new Cemetery accepted by the Corporation.
July 11th. The Royal Assembly Rooms purchased by Mr. W. Butcher for £1,975. (See 1851, and April, 1869.)
July 21st to 27th. Encampment of the 3rd and 4th Norfolk Rifles (about 920 rank and file), under command of Lieut.-Col. Duff, M.P., and Lieut.-Col. R. T. Gurdon, on the North Denes. On the brigade day about 2,000 volunteers, divided into 30 companies, were manœuvred, and it was estimated that some 20,000 civilians were present.
July 24th. Mr. Charles John Stokes (22), a member of the Lynn Volunteers, mysteriously drowned in the river Yare. On the 28th the body was picked up, and subsequently buried at Lynn; but by order of the Secretary of State it was (Aug. 31st) exhumed, and a post-mortem examination made, but no marks of violence were discovered.
July 25th. The two principal stones of the nave of St. James’ Church laid by the Mayor (T. B. Steward, Esq.) and Mayoress. Cost of the nave was given at £3,150.
July 27th. Capt. Stokes, of the smack “Falcon,” awarded a gold watch by the Emperor of Germany for rescuing the crew of the wrecked ship “Elise,” in Nov., 1876.
Aug. 7th. The North Norfolk Railway having been inspected the previous day by Major-General Hutchinson, R.E., was opened to the public as far as completed, namely, Yarmouth, Caister, and Ormesby (5½ miles). The line was constructed by Messrs. Wilkinson and Jarvis, of London. May 16th opened to Hemsby, and on July 15th, 1878, from this village to Martham. (See May 8th and July.)
Aug. 9th. St. George’s Board Schools, St. Peter’s Plain, opened, Mr. J. T. Bottle being the architect. This Gothic building comprises girls’ school, 64 ft. by 20 ft., and accommodates 200 children; infants’ room, 60 ft. by 23 ft., for 300 girls; and another room, 24 ft. by 20 ft.; also lobbies, offices, and an open and covered playground. Cost, £2,370.