Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood

Parliamentary Reform agitated; and the town was filled with troops, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants.

An Act passed for the better securing the duties payable on the importation of coal and cinders.

The Norfolk Rangers first established.

1783

The celebrated John Wesley preached in Yarmouth, and on Oct. the 22nd opened a chapel. He paid the town several visits, the last in 1790, not five months before his death in 1791. Aged 87.

Right Hon. C. Townshend re-elected to Parliament.

1784

First Census taken. Population 12,608.

Two vessels fitted out for the Greenland whale fishery.

Mr. S. Bream, of Yarmouth, advocated the extension of the North Pier for the removal of the Bar. Mr. J. Nichalls, an engineer, suggested in a report that the river should be straightened, and a weir placed across the river near its junction with Breydon.

1784

June 22nd. A great part of the outward wall of the east end of the Parish Church fell down, and destroyed the tombs and gravestones to some distance.

Mr. Barrett died, aged 100 years.

Oct. The Prince of Wales (afterwards Geo. IV.) invited by the Corporation to dine at the Town Hall. Not accepted.

Sir John Jervis, K.B., returned to Parliament with H. Beaufoy, Esq.

1785

Another town gate pulled down.

The Dutch sent over 87 boats for the herring fishery off our coast.

Wooden drawbridge across the stream near the Town Hall built, and existed till 1843.

1786

Second drawbridge connecting Yarmouth with Southtown over the Yare re-built and opened to the public.

Josiah Curtis appointed town crier, an office which he held for 32 years.

1788

Martha Stanninot, a peculiar woman known as “Queen Martha,” who fancied she should be Queen of England, lived and died in Row 28.

1789

Nov. 1st. Forty vessels driven ashore between Yarmouth and Southwold; 80 fishing boats wrecked, and 120 bodies washed ashore between Yarmouth and Cromer.

An appointed day of thanksgiving for the King’s recovery, and the town illuminated.

Seven hundred lasts of herrings taken by 180 boats.

1790

June 18th. Right Hon. Charles Townshend and Henry Beaufoy, Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes – T., 632; B., 455; J. T. Sandys, 182.

A pottery established at Yarmouth.

1791

George Townshend, Marquis Townshend, High Steward of the Borough.

Feb. 3rd. Part of the Jetty carried away by a destructive high tide, and the Denes under water. On the Southtown-road the water was deep enough for boats to ply.

Oct. 27th. Riot on account of the dearness of provisions, but suppressed by the magistrates.

1792

Feb. 7th. House of Commons petitioned by Yarmouth for the abolition of slave trade.

May 29th. The “Church and King Club” established, and first meeting held at the “Wrestler’s Inn.”

Dec. Meeting held in Yarmouth, pledging themselves to support the Constitution of King, Lords, and Commons, as established in 1688.

1793

Feb. 11th. Embargo laid on all vessels at Yarmouth.

Feb. 28th. H.M.S. “Savage” brought in the French privateer, “Custine,” she being the first prize taken in the war.

Matthew Champion died at the age of 111 years.

The title of Earl of Yarmouth was revived as the secondary title of the Marquis of Hertford.

1794

July. Subscription entered into and a benefit play performed at Yarmouth, for the relief of the widows and orphans of those killed on board the fleet in Lord Howe’s victory on June 1st.

1795

May 29th. On the death of H. Beaufoy, Esq., Colonel S. Howe was elected to Parliament with George Anson, Esq. Votes – H., 483; A., 347.

Sir Edmund Lacon, Knt., Mayor. This hon. gentleman was knighted for quelling the riot which began in the Market Place, occasioned by the high price of provisions.

The Distillery, on the site of the Silk Factory purchased by Government, and Barracks made of wood, erected there for 1,600 men.

Jan. 19th. The illustrious fugitive, the Princess of Orange, with her daughter-in-law, little granddaughter, and the child’s nurse, accompanied by two gentlemen, embarked on board a fishing boat. They took up their quarters in the hold of the vessel, and were covered with the sails as a defence against the inclement weather. After being safely landed at Yarmouth, the military were drawn up, and their Royal Highnesses driven twice round the Market Place, and then entertained by the Mayor. The Prince unexpectedly came also and took his wife away. The next day the Duke of York visited Yarmouth for the purpose of welcoming them, and, though disappointed, was enthusiastically received by the inhabitants.

Another unfortunate Princess near landing on our shore. Princess Caroline of Brunswick, accompanied by the English envoy, Lord Malmesbury, embarked at Cuxhaven on board the “Jupiter,” 50 guns, and through stress of weather came within six leagues of the Beach.

A line of packets to Cuxhaven was started from our Port, and the Dover and Harwich packets removed.

Congratulatory address from the Corporation and inhabitants of Yarmouth presented to George III. on his escape from the attack made on his person while proceeding to Parliament House.

1796

June. Lord C. P. T. Townshend and Colonel S. Howe returned to Parliament. Lord Charles on the day following his election was found dead in his carriage, shot in the mouth by a pistol ball. The same year (Oct. 26th), Major-General W. Loftus and H. Jodrell, Esq., were elected to Parliament. Votes – L., 599; J., 561; Sir J. Jervis, K.B., 418.

June 25th. First time that a squadron of men-of-war ships entered Yarmouth Roads. There were 13 British and 3 Russian, under the command of Admiral Macbride.

Freedom of the Borough presented to Captain Trollope, for defeating 8 French ships of war off the coast of Holland.

Aug. 19th. Whilst Thelwall, a political lecturer, was declaiming in a room at Yarmouth, a party of armed sailors from the ships in the Roads broke in, and in their attempt to seize the orator, knocked down every person who opposed them. Upwards of 40 persons were wounded in the scuffle; the orator escaped unhurt.

1797

June 1st. Mutiny on board the North Sea Fleet at Yarmouth, and several sail of the line hoisted the red flag of defiance.

Sept. 18th. Admiral Duncan assumed the command of the North Sea Fleet in the Roadstead, vice Admiral Macbride.

Oct. 3rd. Admiral Duncan put into Yarmouth Roads, and six days afterwards went in search of the Dutch fleet, which was totally defeated (Oct. 11th) off Camperdown. The British fleet returned in triumph to Yarmouth Roads, bringing seven sail of the line as prizes. The wounded men were landed and conveyed to the Barracks and to Norwich – there being no Naval Hospital. Yarmouth for several days was thronged with visitors to see the victorious British fleet and their prizes. A subscription was raised on behalf of the wounded.

A high tide nearly demolished the Bath House.

Somerset Militia quartered in the town.

Captain Rysoort, of the “Hercules” (one of Admiral Duncan’s prizes), died in Yarmouth, and was buried with military honours.

A boat on the river Breydon upset, and six out of seven youths drowned.

Freedom of the town presented to Lord Duncan and Sir Richard Onslow for their victories over the Dutch fleet; also to Earl St. Vincent for the victory over the Spanish fleet on the 14th of February.

Mutiny broke out at the Nore, and extended itself to the vessels in Yarmouth Roads, but was quickly suppressed.

1798

Mar. 2nd. Through financial pressure at the Bank of England, Yarmouth banks paid in their own notes, and fractional parts were paid in specie.

Two Volunteer Companies of Yeomanry Cavalry formed at Yarmouth under Samuel Barker and H. Worship, Esqs.

Oct. 1st. Intelligence of Admiral Viscount Nelson’s ever memorable victory off the mouth of the Nile received at Yarmouth with great rejoicing.

Oct. 1st. The Times says: At half-past twelve the following men-of-war in Yarmouth Roads got under weigh to cruise off the Texel: – “Monarch,” 74 guns, Admiral Sir Richard Onslow, Captain Sutton; “Monmouth,” 64, Deane; “Belligneux,” 64, England; “Ardent,” 64, Bertie; “Agamemnon,” 64, Fancourt. Remaining in the Roads: – “Kent,” 74, Lord Duncan; “Ganges,” 74, Captain M’Dowall; “America,” 64, Smith; “Veteran,” 64, Mosse; “Glatton,” 54, Cobb; with the “Europa” and “Mististoff” men-of-war.

1799

Sept. 28th. The Duke of York’s army returned from an unsuccessful campaign, and the Guards and 24 other regiments, comprising 25,000 troops (infantry and cavalry), were landed at Yarmouth on their return from Holland.

An embargo laid on all shipping at Yarmouth.

Hospital for sick and wounded soldiers erected on the site of Grout’s Silk Factory. The wounded from Copenhagen were taken here.

1800

Sept. 25th. Freedom of the Borough voted to Sir A. Dickson and Mr. Pitt.

Nov. 6th. Admiral Lord Nelson landed here after the battle of Aboukir, having been absent 2½ years from his native county, and was presented with an enthusiastic welcome and the freedom of the town. He stayed at the “Wrestler’s” Inn, Church Plain, and in a speech he made there, said, “I am myself a Norfolk man, and I glory in being so.” When he subsequently visited the Parish Church, the organ played, “See the Conquering Hero comes.” He was accompanied by Lady and Sir William Hamilton.

Nov. 20th. The herring fishery off Yarmouth was unusually productive this year, the catch being so great that one of Mr. Batley’s boats, after taking on board 14 lasts, was obliged to throw two lasts overboard.

1801

Jan. 1st. This day being the first of the 19th century, and the day on which the union of Great Britain and Ireland took place, the Durham Militia fired a feu de joie at Yarmouth; and the ships in the Roadstead gave a royal salute and hoisted their new colours in honour of the union.

Mar. 7th. The St. “George,” carrying 98 guns, and bearing the flag of Lord Nelson, arrived in the Roadstead.

Mar. 12th. The grand fleet of 47 ships of war, with 3,000 mariners, under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker in the “London,” 98 guns, with Lord Nelson as his Vice-Admiral, sailed from Yarmouth, and proceeded, after they had been joined by seven sail of the line in Leith Roads, to Copenhagen to destroy the Danish navy.

Mar. 16th. The “Invincible,” 74 guns (built in 1766), Rear-Admiral Totty, on her way to join the grand fleet, got on the ridge near Hasbro’ Sand, and remained till daybreak next morning, but had no sooner floated into deep water than she went down with her captain (J. Lawford), several officers, and about 300 men. By the exertions of Daniel Grigson, master of the cod-smack, “Nancy,” the Admiral, 7 officers, and about 190 of the crew, were saved.

April 14th. Intelligence received at Yarmouth of the destruction of the Danish navy in Copenhagen by the British fleet, on April 2nd, after four hours’ fighting. Great rejoicing in this town and country generally.

July 1st. Owing to Lord Nelson’s ill-health he again landed at the Jetty from the gun-brig, “Kite.”

Nov. 2nd. The Prince of Orange arrived at Yarmouth from London, and on the 6th sailed in the packet “Diana,” for Cuxhaven.

Census taken. Population of Yarmouth, 14,854; with Gorleston and Southtown, 16,573.

The batteries erected on the verge of the beach, and mounted with 32-pounders. The harbour was also defended on each side by two bastions of a mural construction. They were dismounted after the general peace, and guns returned to Woolwich.

1802

Jan. 6th. The Public Library first instituted by a certain number of subscribers. In 1808 the Corporation granted the lease of the present building. The Dutch clock (removed in 1861) was erected on the exterior in 1600, when the building was used as a Dutch Chapel by the Hollanders; was afterwards used as an English Chapel, and previous to the Theatre being built the back premises were converted into a room for dramatic entertainments. New Reading Room opened Feb. 19th, 1859.

May 5th. The town illuminated on the proclamation of peace.

May 24th. The Duke of Cambridge sailed from Yarmouth in the frigate, “Amphion,” for Hanover, of which kingdom he was appointed Regent. (See June 13th, 1803.)

June 28th. Custom House opened.

July. Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Trowbridge, Bart., and Thomas Jervis, Esq., returned to Parliament. The boat built for Sir Thomas to be chaired in, made of oak, 14 ft. long, and 3 ft. 9 in. wide, is still preserved (1884). On the stern is “Trowbridge and the Navy,” under which is a naval crown and trophy. It was built by Mr. James Hurry.

Three hundred persons impressed, but 250 were afterwards liberated. (See 1805.)

Montgomeryshire and Cheshire Militia left the town.

1803

May 5th. An active press at Yarmouth.

May 16th. Embargo laid on all vessels in the Roads.

June 13th. H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge and suite left Yarmouth for Norwich. They came in the same frigate which brought Prince William of Gloucester from Cuxhaven, where their Royal Highnesses were nearly being made prisoners by the advanced guard of the French army. Had they remained there another hour they would have shared the fate of the Hanoverian army. The French General in Holland put an immense number of fishing boats in requisition for the avowed purpose of invading England.

Oct. 25th. The Volunteer Regiments in Norfolk and Norwich resolved to perform permanent duty in Yarmouth in case of an invasion, and on Nov. the 9th two troops of Norfolk Rangers (established 1782), headed by the Marquis Townshend, the Lord Lieutenant, and commanded by Captain Sir M. B. Ffolkes, Bart., and Capt. Beauchamp, marched to Yarmouth on permanent duty; also the Norwich and the Fakenham Volunteers.

Nov. 5th. The Lord Lieutenants of the maritime counties received warrants under his Majesty’s sign-manual, commanding them, “as there was actual appearance of invasion,” to give the necessary orders in pursuance of the late statute, that on the approach of the enemy all waggons and carts, cattle, and stores of corn, likely to fall into their hands, be removed or destroyed, and also that all women and children be likewise removed. The proprietors to be indemnified.

Nov. 7th. Lieut. – Col. Harvey’s battalion of Norwich Volunteers arrived here for garrison duty; also the Norfolk Rangers and Norwich and Fakenham Corps.

Nov. 10th. The Yarmouth Volunteer Infantry received their colours (presented by the Corporation) from the hands of the Mayoress.

Dec. 6th. On the Norwich Volunteers’ return to Norwich, this regiment was succeeded in their fortnight’s garrison duty by the Yarmouth Volunteer Infantry (550), commanded by Lieut. – Colonel Gould.

Dec. 15th. The Lynn and Freebridge Yeomanry Cavalry, with the Artillery and Rifle Corps, marched through Norwich to Yarmouth, to relieve the Dereham and South Erpingham troops.

Dec. 22nd. The Dereham and Swaffham troops of Yeomanry Cavalry marched through Norwich for Yarmouth, to relieve the Lynn and Freebridge troops; and the Diss, North Walsham, Wells, and Old Buckenham Volunteer Companies of Infantry marched into Yarmouth for a fortnight’s duty.

Dec. 30th. The Hingham and Wymondham troops marched to Yarmouth, to relieve the Swaffham and Dereham troops.

Tower and spire of St. Nicholas’ Church removed; rebuilt in 1807 at a cost of £1,890. (See 1806.)

The Militia regiments of the county assembled at Yarmouth and were embodied.

1804

April 4th. The “Antelope,” (Commodore Sir W. Sydney Smith,) the brig “Cruizer,” and the cutter “Prince of Wales,” arrived at Yarmouth, from the Flushing station, which made an unsuccessful attempt to cut out an armed brig near the Scaw. They were attacked by an armed schooner, and obliged to abandon their enterprize, with the loss of five killed and ten wounded.

April 11th. Rear-Admiral Sir W. Sydney Smith left Yarmouth for Norwich. The hero of St. Jean d’Acre proceeded next day on a tour of the country before accompanying the King of Portugal to Brazil.

May 2nd. The gibbet on which Payne was hung in 1781 taken down by order of the Corporation.

May 14th. Lynn Volunteers and (May 26th) North Walsham Light Infantry, came for a fortnight’s training.

The first newspaper, The Yarmouth Herald, printed in the town by a Mr. Black.

May 23rd. Blickling and Gunton Rifle Corps arrived here for a fortnight’s garrison duty.

May 25th. A general fast observed. The Shropshire Militia and the Volunteers at Yarmouth (nearly 25,000 men) attended divine service.

May 26th. The sloop “Helena,” 20 guns, and on Sept. 4th the brig “Musquito,” 18 guns, launched from Mr. J. Preston’s yard.

Sept. 6th. Sloop of war “Cygnet,” 18 guns, launched from Mr. Nathaniel Palmer’s yard.

Oct. 28th. Lord Viscount Chedworth, of Ipswich, died worth £500,000. Thomas Penrice, Esq., surgeon, of Yarmouth, was left a legacy of £20,000 and also residuary legatee, by which he came into possession of at least £300,000.

Nov. 26th. The Corporation and merchants of Yarmouth voted their thanks to Captain Hancock and his officers for capturing the notorious Blackman, who commanded a French privateer of 18 guns, and 98 prisoners were also taken.

Nov. 22nd. The “Romney,” 50 guns, which sailed from Yarmouth Roadstead on the 18th with bullocks and vegetables for the blockading fleet off the Texel, under Admiral Russell, was lost in a dreadful gale of wind on the South Haak Sand. All the officers and crew saved themselves on rafts, but were made prisoners by the Dutch. The officers were afterwards liberated on their parole by the Dutch Admiral Kikkert.

William Gould, Esq., appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 6th (Yarmouth) Norfolk Volunteer Infantry.

Night signals established along the coast, and special constables sworn in at Yarmouth.

Yarmouth Volunteer Infantry embodied for 14 days’ garrison duty.

The Rows first numbered; they formerly bore the names of houses in or near them, or persons living near them.

The public mind was much excited by a possible French Invasion, under Napoleon, and many Volunteer and Militia Regiments of Norfolk and Suffolk did garrison duty here.

The Gorleston Volunteers had a field day, when the manœuvres were done in a masterly style, under Captain J. B. Bell. They afterwards dined at the “Feathers” Inn.

Hay was sold at £4 10s. per ton.

The winter was a very severe one, more intense than in 1740. Coals were 2s. a chaldron.

Capt. Dickens, of the Shropshire Militia, walked from the “Angel” Inn, at Yarmouth, to the “Angel” Inn, at Norwich, and back again (47 miles) in 11½ hours, for a wager.

A very large sale of 50 prize ships was advertised to take place at Yarmouth on the 25th. These were principally Dutch vessels used as privateers and fishing vessels, and the description of them took about one column of space. No auctioneer was named, but catalogues were to be had of Mr. A. H. Steward, of Great Yarmouth.

Mr. Aldred, of Yarmouth, met with a serious loss by being robbed in Long Lane, Smithfield, of notes, bills, and jewellery, to the amount of £2,000. He was seized from behind a chaise by a daring street robber, who eluded the vigilance of the police.

1805

April 27th. Two gun-brigs, 14 guns each, built in Mr. J. Preston’s yard, launched.

May 9th. One of the sharpest presses ever remembered in Yarmouth took place. No fewer than 300 persons of the town were impressed, of whom only about 50 were ultimately detained. (See 1802.)

Nov. 7th. Intelligence received of the glorious victory over the combined fleets of France and Spain, off Cape Trafalgar, on the 21st of October, though purchased by the ever-to-be-lamented death of Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, who was born at Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, September 29th, 1758. Congratulatory addresses were voted to his Majesty by Yarmouth; feu de joie fired by the military and volunteers.

Several regiments of Volunteers did garrison duty in the town till relieved by the Shropshire Militia.

1806

April 19th. The frigate, “Boreas,” 28 guns, launched from Messrs. Stone and Constance’s yard; the sloop, “Ariel,” 18 guns, from Mr. N. Palmer’s yard.

June 9th. Vice-Admiral Russell, accompanied by several officers of the North Sea Fleet who were stationed at Yarmouth, visited Norwich.

July 26th. French frigate “La Guerrière,” brought into the Roadstead by the frigate “Blanche.” The former was captured on the 18th, after a desperate action of 45 minutes; she had taken eight Greenlandmen and one Yarmouth vessel, all of which she destroyed.

Aug. 14th. Frigate “Comus,” launched from Messrs. Constance and Co.’s yard.

Nov. 4th. Hon. E. Harbord (second son of Lord Suffield) and Stephen Lushington, Esq., returned to Parliament, but on June 25th, 1808, Dr. Lushington vacated his seat in favour of Giffin Wilson, Esq.

An Act of Parliament passed for repairing the Parish Church of Great Yarmouth and rebuilding the tower belonging to it. (See 1803.)

Southtown Armoury built by Wyatt, at a cost of £15,000. During the war 10,000 stand of arms were arranged in it, after the disposition observed in the Tower of London. After the war the arms were removed to the Tower.

The gun-brig, “Fancy,” built in Mr. J. Preston’s yard.

1807

Feb. 17th. Gun-brig “Snipe,” with 30 French prisoners on board, wrecked on the Beach. Many of them were drowned, together with part of her crew and some women, in all upwards of 60. There were several other wrecks, for the wind blew a hurricane, and a drifting snow rendered the highways for a time impassable.

Feb. 18th. Capt. G. W. Manby, barrack-master at Yarmouth, first succeeded in projecting a line over a stranded vessel; and on Feb. 12th, 1808, seven lives were saved from a vessel 150 yards from the Beach. Parliament rewarded him at different times with grants amounting to £6,000. He was born at Hilgay, Norfolk. Captain Manby, at the age of 88 years, had the satisfaction of knowing that he had been instrumental in saving upwards of 1,000 lives in various parts of the world by his invention. The two ingenious painters (the Joys), brothers and sons of a mail-guard, owed much of their fame to the patronage and assistance afforded them in their youth by Captain Manby.

May 9th. Hon. E. Harbord and S. Lushington, Esq., returned to Parliament. Votes – H., 627; L., 604; William Jacob, 341; A. Upcher, 21.

July 3rd. Mrs. Cooper, relict of the Rev. D. Cooper, of Yarmouth, died. This lady, with an ardent desire to inculcate Christian morality, penned several publications, viz., “Fanny Meadows,” “The Daughter,” “The School for Wives,” and “Exemplary Mother.”

July 26th. The fleet, under Lord Gambier and Vice-Admiral Stanhope (69 pennants in all), sailed from Yarmouth Roads. Sir W. Sidney Smith sailed in Gambier’s flag-ship, “Prince of Wales,” 98 guns. Soon afterwards was fought the second battle of Copenhagen (Sept. 7th). Most of their prizes were brought to Yarmouth – 64 vessels mounting 1,994 guns.

Aug. 14th. E. H. K. Lacon born. He was educated at Cambridge, and created a baronet in 1820 on the death of his father.

Sept. 7th. Norwich Volunteer Infantry marched to Yarmouth for garrison duty.

Oct. 29th. Several transports lost off Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

Nov. 14th. Privateer “Le Décide” brought into this port by the frigate “L’Amiable.” She had made no less than 30 prizes.

Nov. 2nd. Louis XVIII. (under the title of Count de Lille) landed at Yarmouth from a Swedish frigate. The Dukes d’Angouleme and De Berri, and several French noblemen, came with him. This was the first time since the memorable battle of Poictiers, in 1356, that a King of France had been in England.

Dec. A Telegraph erected upon the hill at Thorpe communicating with Yarmouth. An order from the Admiralty Office in London was received at Yarmouth in seventeen minutes.

North Gate removed to widen the roadway. It was flanked with square towers of curious workmanship.

One hundred and forty-four dead bodies washed ashore in this vicinity after a heavy gale.

A new peal of ten bells put in the tower of St. Nicholas’ Church, and first rung out on May 2nd, 1808. Cost £1,161 8s. 4d. The spire of the Church was also rebuilt the same year.

1808

Jan. 10th. Lord Hutchinson and Lord Gower landed here from the “Bellette” sloop-of-war, from St. Petersburgh.

March 30th. Silver eel, 6 ft. long and 21 in. in girth, and weighing 42lbs., caught a mile below Yarmouth bridge in the harbour.

May 10th. Expedition, consisting of 105 transports, under Admiral Keats, left the Roadstead for the Baltic and the protection of Sweden. Sir John Moore commanded the troops. He sailed in the “Mars,” and Major-Generals Paget and Murray in the “Audacious.”

Aug. 20th. First pile of the present Jetty driven, and finished building and opened to the public Jan. 13th, 1809, at a cost of £5,000; 450 ft. long, and platform 21 ft. wide. Extended 60 ft. in 1846 at a cost of about £900, and again 60 ft. in 1870 at a further cost of £859 10s. Constructed on the site of one built in 1560.

Charles Townshend, Lord Bayning, High Steward of the Borough.

Shropshire and Cambridgeshire Militia left the town.

1809

Jan. 28th. Owing to a rapid thaw and the inundation of the meadows the barges proceeding from Norwich to Yarmouth were obliged to return, because the men were unable to find the channel of the river.

Oct. 25th. Fiftieth anniversary of George III.’s reign celebrated in Yarmouth as a jubilee.

One thousand four hundred and sixty-four pounds of fresh salmon from Scotland landed in one day, and sold in Yarmouth market owing to the embargo on all shipping.

A very productive herring fishery.

1810

May 10th. Vice-Admiral Sir J. Saumarez’s fleet left the Roadstead for the Baltic; also the “Victory” (100 guns) and seven other sail of the line.

May 20th. The Eight Hon. Charles, Lord Bayning, of Honingham Hall, a Privy Councillor and High Steward of Yarmouth, died in London, aged 81 years.

Aug. Yarmouth Annual Races first established by the Officers of the Berkshire Militia.

Berkshire Militia left the town.

Mrs. Hunter died, aged 102.

By the Paving Act, provision was made against placing materials on the Quays or other public places for a longer time than was necessary for removing and housing the same.

Nov. 2nd. The Beach from Yarmouth to Wells covered with wrecks and dead bodies after a heavy gale. Another gale and high tide on the 10th, and many vessels and lives lost.

Nov. 14th. Gustavus Adolphus IV., ex-King of Sweden, who had abdicated his throne, landed on the Beach from the sloop “Tartar.” He assumed the title of Count Guttorp, and afterwards proceeded to London.

1811

March 28th. Count Guttorp sailed from Yarmouth on his return to the Continent.

Vice-Admiral Murray appointed to the Naval command of Yarmouth. In 1815 Admiral Drake was appointed Port-Admiral of Yarmouth, the last who held the appointment.

Census taken. Population of Yarmouth, 17,977; with Gorleston and Southtown, 19,691.

The Royal Hospital or Asylum built by Government at a cost of £120,000. Foundation-stone laid by Admiral Billy Douglas in 1809. (See 1815.) The building was erected by Mr. Peto (father of Sir S. Morton Peto), from designs by H. Parkington, Esq., for a naval Hospital. The 11 acres of ground to the east cost the Government £11,000 in 1875.

1812

March 13th. The South Gate sold for £26 to Jonathan Poppy.

July 27th. General Viscount Cathcart’s embassy to the Court of Russia left the Roadstead in the frigate “Aquilon.” Lord Walpole, secretary of Legation to Lord Cathcart, sailed in the “Calipso” to the headquarters of the Russian army.

Oct. 6th. Edmund Knowles Lacon and William Loftus, Esqs., returned to Parliament. Votes – Lacon, 607; Loftus, 387; G. Wilson, 329.

Oct. 26th. Tremendous gale, and eight vessels driven ashore in the vicinity.

A. Royals died, aged 103.

1813

Feb. A high wind blew down and completely demolished the Conventual Church at Gorleston, dedicated to St. Nicholas.

Feb. 18th. Gorleston steeple (about 100 ft. high), which stood near the Haven’s mouth as an immemorial sea-mark, was blown down in a gale.

March 24th. Volunteer Corps of Infantry disbanded, and deposited their arms in store on the establishment of the local Militia.

April 15th. Prince of Orange landed at the Jetty.

April 29th. H.R.H. the Duke of Cumberland arrived at Yarmouth, and embarked on board the frigate “Nymphen” for the Continent.

July 4th. News of Wellington’s victory over the French at Vittoria in Spain received here with great rejoicings.

Aug. 10th. First steam barge proceeded from Yarmouth to Norwich at the rate of five miles per hour.

Sept. 29th. Regent Street formed and opened at a cost of £30,000. Before the opening of this street there was no roadway between King Street and the Quay, except Fuller’s Hill and Friar’s Lane, the latter of which was widened in 1866.

Nov. 14th. Great rejoicing at Yarmouth on the splendid victories gained over the French in Spain and Germany.

The Lancasterian or British School erected; enlarged in 1861.

William III. landed at the Jetty.

North Mayo Militia left the town, and the Wexford Militia the following year.

Sept. 3rd. John Hannah (70) tried at the Yarmouth Sessions for the murder of Elizabeth, his wife, he being the last man executed in the town for murder. A bill issued, with the imprint of Clark, Broad Row, Yarmouth, read as follows: “Monday Morning, Sept. 6th, at about 11 o’clock. Everything being ready, the prisoner, attended by the gaoler and a number of constables, with a great concourse of spectators, moved from the Gaol at 11.15. They went at a slow pace, and at the entrance of Regent Street were joined by the Mayor and other Borough Officers. It was past 12 o’clock when the prisoner arrived at the place of execution; on his way thither he was perfectly composed, turning from one side to the other, viewing the populace. After ascending the scaffold, he spent some time in prayer, and when the hangman had placed the rope round his neck, he was asked if he had anything farther to say. He then confessed as follows: ‘That he was the murderer of his wife by strangling her with his hands, and not with a rope, as had been stated; he said they had lived a very uncomfortable life for many years past, owing to his wife giving her company to other men, which was the cause of his committing the murder.’ The instant before being turned off, he particularly requested to see his daughter, when he was informed it was not possible, as she was confined in Bedlam; he also desired the gaoler to look under the step of the cell, and he would there find four shillings and sixpence. A signal was then given, and the unhappy man was immediately launched into eternity. The body, after hanging the usual time, was delivered to the surgeons for dissection. The gaoler, on his return, found the money as described in the cell.”