In 1692, a fleet of two hundred sail of colliers, having left the roads with a fair wind, were suddenly assailed by a tremendous gale from the north-east. After they had passed Winterton-ness, some of them tacked and arrived back safe in the roads; the remainder pushed out to sea, but were unable, through its violence, to clear the Ness to the southward. The night was exceedingly dark, and missing the lights, few could find their way; some rode out at a distance; but the rest, amounting to one hundred and forty sail, were driven ashore, completely wrecked, and scarcely any of the crews saved. At the same unfortunate juncture, a number of coasting vessels, laden with grain, bound to Holland, from Lynn and Wells, having just left the roads, experienced the same disaster; so that in the whole more than two hundred vessels and one thousand people were lost in twenty-four hours.
If vessels leaving Flamborough Head, proceed southward, and meet with a heavy gale from any point between north-east and south-east; or if leaving the Yarmouth roads, proceeding to the northward, they are retarded by the wind blowing hard from the north-east, so that they cannot weather Winterton-ness, they become embayed, and the only chance for safety is to run for the Lynn Deeps, in attempting which they are in danger of foundering on the rocks near Cromer, or stranding on the flat shores between Cromer and Wells.
In 1790, seventy sail of ships met with a similar fate, and also their crews.
In 1791, a raging tide inundated the denes and the meadows to such a depth, that boats rowed on Southtown turnpike.
In 1805, a tremendous storm at sea occurred, accompanied by a raging tide, which nearly destroyed the old jetty.
In 1825, a destructive tide ensued, which did much damage to the town. The water flowed nearly to the doors of some of the houses on the quays. The Southtown road was completely overflowed and rendered impassable, the lower apartments in several houses on the west side were under water, and much corn, grain, and other merchandize in the store-houses spoiled.
To do ample justice to the highly interesting records associated with this celebrated sea-port town, would form a volume in itself, and the ingenuity and embellishments displayed by its inhabitants, to be properly appreciated ought to be visited, to form a lasting impression of their industry. Situated on a narrow strip of land, less than a mile in breadth, and stretching five miles from north to south, it cannot boast of any pretty inland scenery, as the country is extremely flat, but it possesses resources interesting and inviting to the stranger.
Its harbour is excellently situated for affording shelter for vessels unable to contend against contrary winds. Its extensive traffic in coal and corn, and above all the celebrity it has attained for its herring and mackerel fisheries, must ever render it a place of the greatest importance. As a watering-place its merits must not be forgotten. Splendid edifices and admirable accommodation have been provided near the sea-shore, enabling its visitors to partake of “delightful breezes to their hearts’ content,” or to mingle with the gaieties of a city life. As a naval station during the late war, it proved highly advantageous; and in accordance with that circumstance, a beautiful Monumental Pillar was erected on the south Denes, about a mile from the town, to the memory of the gallant Nelson. It is of Grecian Doric order, elegantly fluted, and one hundred and forty-four feet in height, ascended by an easy flight of steps. Upon the plinth are the names of the four ships, “Vanguard, Captain, Elephant, and Victory,” on board which the heroic Admiral’s flag was so valorously displayed; and on the coping of the terrace are inscribed the names of the four principal battles—“Aboukir, St. Vincent, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar.” On each of the four sides of the pedestal is a flight of steps leading to the terrace, which affords a promenade round the shaft. The roof is supported by Caryatides, surrounded by a ball, and a figure of Britannia, admirably cast, holding in her hand a trident and a laurel wreath.
On the west side is a very elegant Latin inscription, from the pen of a Norfolk Gentleman, of which the following is a translation:—
HORATIO LORD NELSON,
Whom, as her first and proudest champion in naval fights,
Britain honoured, while living, with her favour,
and, when lost, with her tears;
Of whom, signalized by his triumphs in all lands,
the whole earth
stood in awe on account of the tempered firmness of his
counsels, and the undaunted ardour of his courage;
This great man
NORFOLK
Boasts her own, not only as born there of a respectable family,
And as there having received his early education,
But her own also in talents, manners, and mind,
The glory of so great a name though sure long to
Outlive all monuments of brass and stone,
His fellow-countrymen of Norfolk have resolved to commemorate
By this column, erected by their joint contributions.
He was born in the year 1758;
Entered on his Profession in 1771;
And was concerned in nearly 150 Naval Engagements with the enemy.
Being Conqueror, among various other occasions,
At Aboukir, August, 1798;
At Copenhagen, April, 1801;
And at Trafalgar, October, 1805:
Which last Victory, the crown of so many glorious achievements,
He consecrated by a death, equally mournful to his country,
And honourable to himself.