Part 68 (1/2)

Jan. 18th. One of the worst gales experienced in the present generation, when six out of a crew of nine brave beachmen and a volunteer lost their lives by the upsetting of the surf lifeboat ”Abraham Thomas” whilst trying to rescue the mate of the schooner ”Guiding Star” (Thomas Jones), whose vessel was stranded on the South Beach, opposite the Asylum. Jones was also lost out of the lifeboat. Highway traffic and the Great Eastern Railway was blocked for 24 hours. About 50 lives were lost off this coast. Besides the ”Guiding Star,” the schooners ”Rhoda,” and ”Sarah Jane,” the French ketch ”Manne du Ciel,” and the brig ”Battle of Corunna”

were driven ash.o.r.e, and from the last-named, in the South Ham, seven hands, including a woman, were drowned. The names of the men in the lifeboat who were drowned were J. Ditcham (30), H. Masterson (15), J.

Sherwood (44), Robert Symonds (37), Charles Henry Beckett (21), and William Green (whose body was not recovered), leaving 4 widows and 22 children. On the day of the interment (24th) thousands of people filled the Parish Church, and lined the route to the New Cemetery. At the funeral service the organ played the ”Dead March” in _Samson_, and the Mayoress (Mrs. T. B. Steward) placed a beautiful floral wreath upon each of the coffins before they entered the church. The funeral _cortege_ comprised five separate hea.r.s.es, and thirteen mourning coaches with the relatives. The subscriptions raised for the relief of the widows and orphans reached over 3,000. The four survivors among the lifeboat men were W. Haylett, c.o.xswain, W. Davey, R. Brown, and W. P. Smith.

Jan. Mr. W. G. Poll, of Yarmouth, and Mr. A. E. Richmond, of Southtown, pa.s.sed their preliminary examinations of the Pharmaceutical Society.

Feb. 4th. Mr. C. H. Christmas died at Yarmouth, aged 86 years. (See Oct., 1880.)

Feb. Mr. W. H. Cowl, solicitor, awarded the special prizes of the ”Timphron Martin” and ”John Atkinson” gold medals for 1880.

Feb. 11th. The stoker on board the steam tug ”Victoria,” Robert Jackman (46), accidentally killed after towing the Norwegian steamer ”Norma” (652 tons register) on to Gorleston beach the day before, where she became a total wreck.

Feb. 11th. School Board Election. The following candidates were returned:-Messrs. Palgrave, Peaton, Moxon, Johnson, Dowson, Waters, Worlledge, Leach (Mrs.), Bately, Splain, and Tomkins. (See Feb., 1875.)

Feb. 12th. Marriage of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, with W. Ashmead Bartlett, Esq., in London.

March. A fine shark, 7 ft. long, brought to the Fishwharf.

March 5th. Total loss of the Yarmouth schooner ”Princess Royal” and all hands.

March 14th. Charles Crawshaw Wilkinson, inventor of the perforated stamp sheets, died at Yarmouth, aged 79 years. (See 1850.)

April. Lieut.-Col. Sir E. Lacon resigned his commission in the 2nd East Norfolk Militia, but retains the rank of hon. colonel.

April 18th to May 7th. The first National Fisheries Exhibition at Norwich, and many contributions were sent from Yarmouth.

April. The census of Yarmouth and Gorleston taken by 22 enumerators.

Population of the Borough, 44,782, including 8,903 in Gorleston and Southtown, viz., 24,447 females and 20,335 males (many men at sea not included). Number of houses and buildings, 10,098. The increase on the past ten years was 7,009.

April 19th. The intelligence of the death this day of Earl Beaconsfield, in his 76th year, was received here with manifestations of sorrow. The very first flag hoisted on the New Town Hall, was half-mast, and that in respect to the memory of the deceased. This day is now known as ”Primrose Day,” when the primrose is extensively used as a b.u.t.ton-hole throughout the nation.

April 19th. The Rev. Bowyer Vaux, M.A., presented with a ma.s.sive chased silver tea tray, together with an address on vellum, by the congregation of St. Peter's Church, as a token of esteem, he having been minister there for 35 years.

April 28th. Opening of the New Organ at the Temple. It was built by Mr.

W. C. Mack, of this town.

May 1st. Boat accident on Breydon, when William Hawkins. John McPhee, and Louis Feekins lost their lives by being drowned.

May 5th. Inspector Brogden elected Chief Constable for the Borough on the resignation of Mr. Joseph Ogden.

May 7th. Col.-Sergt. Fenton, E.N.M., presented with a silver cup by his late Captain, Major Lacon, for efficient services.

May 11th. The new Northgate Board Schools, in Ramp Row, opened. The site is 195 ft. by 150 ft., and the buildings, of red brick, set in dark mortar joints, are of a Gothic character. They cost, with fittings, legal expenses, &c., 5,660, and will accommodate 610 children.

May. On the removal of Mr. J. W. Keogh, collector of Customs at this port, Mr. J. Robertson was promoted to Yarmouth.

June 8th. The magnificent three-mast steam yacht ”Northumbria,” 456 tons, belonging to Lord Lonsdale, came into harbour, and was inspected by the Prince of Wales. Her crew comprised 25 hands.

June 9th to 11th. The third visit to Yarmouth of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, who was joined here by H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, K.G., and other distinguished visitors. (See June 6th, 1882.)