Part 65 (2/2)

June 25th. Dr. J. J. Raven presented with a testimonial by the scholars of the Grammar School on the anniversary of his birthday, as a mark of respect to him as their Head Master.

June 29th. Fatal boiler explosion on board the s.s. ”Black Swan,” while in the c.o.c.kle Gat, and three men killed, and one other severely scalded, so much so that he died in the Yarmouth Hospital on July 13th. The ill-fated steamer was brought into this port, and an inquest held at the above Inst.i.tute.

June 30th. Caister churchyard closed for burials, and a new Cemetery opened.

June 30th. The smack ”Wild Duck” lost at sea; and on July 3rd the ”Tantivy” shared the same fate. Crews saved.

July 8th. A vote of condolence proposed by the Yarmouth Town Council to the Empress Eugenie, the Ex-Empress of France, expressive of the town's sympathy with her on the loss of her son (the Prince Imperial) in the Zulu War.

July 14th. The great tenor, Sims Reeves, accompanied by Miss Brooke and Signor Foli, gave a Concert at the Aquarium, under the direction of Mr.

W. Pyatt. _Formosa_ was performed the same evening at the Theatre Royal on the opening night of Mr. A. Terry Hurst's season.

July 15th. A plague comprising millions of tiny spiders visited our sh.o.r.es, and exemplified their natural industry. A similar plague on April 24th, 1880. On Sept. 1st, 1880, there was a plague of myriads of flies on the beach.

July 18th. Fire at Mr. Smith's fish office and premises in Row 123.

July 23rd. A handsome silver epergne, with gla.s.ses for flowers and fruit, and surmounted by a richly-chased cradle, bearing the Yarmouth Arms and Corporation Insignia, presented to the Mayor at the Town Hall.

On the base of the epergne is inscribed:-”Presented to E. H. H. Combe, Esq., by the Justices and Town Council of the Borough of Great Yarmouth, in commemoration of the birth of a daughter during his mayoralty, 18789.” The health of the daughter was drunk in the ”loving cup” after the ceremony.

July 24th. Boat capsized on Breydon, and the four men in it rescued by a wherryman, named James Paston. The wherry, however, sunk before they were got ash.o.r.e, and Paston and his wife, together with the four men had a narrow escape, but were all brought to land safely in another boat which went to their rescue.

July 29th. One hundred and ninety-three building sites north of the Workhouse, and 18 to west of New Cemetery, belonging to the Corporation, offered by auction, but only a few found purchasers.

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 Archaeological 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 Munic.i.p.al 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.

Sept. 6th. A rate collector charged with embezzling 362 18s. 9d., and afterwards imprisoned for 15 months. Another collector absconded in Nov., and was arrested by Inspector Dann at Liverpool, on the 21st.

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