Aug. The new Police Station at Gorleston built.
Aug. 3rd. A terrible thunderstorm, accompanied by rain and lightning of a most dangerous character, at early morning, and lasted for several hours. There were also a gale and high tide. The lightning destroyed much property, Mr. Pycraft, of Exmouth Road, being among the greater sufferers, his residence being wrecked by the electric fluid; and in Gorleston several houses suffered from the same cause. Many parts of the district were flooded with water, as the rainfall was 2.43 inches, equal to 245.414 tons, or 54,972.796 gallons per acre; and on the square mile, 157,065.139 tons, or 35,182,592.919 gallons. Mr. W. H. Willis says:—“A dam, 2,000 feet long and 50 ft. wide, would require the sides and ends to be about 111 ft. 9 in. high to hold a fall of 2.43 inches.”
Aug. 8th. A smacksman attempted to murder a woman, named Alice Sutton, in George Street, by stabbing her several times with a knife.
Aug. 11th. A young man, named Harvey, saved three gentlemen whilst bathing from the beach. These made 11 he has saved from a watery grave.
Aug. 11th to 20th. The British Archæological Society held their 26th Annual Congress at Yarmouth, under the presidency of Lord Waveney, D.L., F.R.S., the Mayor being chairman of the local committee. The opening dinner was held in the Nelson Room, at the Star Hotel, and meetings every evening were convened at the Town Hall. Every place of interest in the town and neighbourhood were visited in the ten days.
Aug. 13th. The barque “Zurich” foundered on Hasbro’. Crew saved.
Aug. 25th. Eighty children baptized at St. Peter’s Church.
Aug. 27th. Tenders opened for erecting the new Municipal Buildings. Thirteen were sent in, viz.:—Messrs. Durrant and Evans, £31,300; T. Howes, £28,572; B. Springall, £28,208; Hubbard and Co., £27,995; Cornish and Gaymer, £27,740; I. S. Cooper, £27,650; Bardwell and Bros., £27,600; E. Howes and Cooper, £27,590; P. H. Dawes, £27,417; G. E. Howes, £26,900; Jones and Co., £26,533; H. Everett and Son, £26,000; and Lacey and Co. (Norwich), £26,200, the latter being accepted. For building the new Police Station, residence for chief constable, &c., in Middlegate Street, Mr. Bray’s tender of £1,447 was accepted.
Aug. 29th. R. F. Kemp saved a man from drowning near the beach, his bravery being afterwards recognised by the Royal Humane Society.
Aug. 29th. The opening of the Yare-side Iron Works at Southtown celebrated by a dinner to the work people of Messrs. Alexander and Wright.