Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 25

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 s.h.i.+pping 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. d.i.c.kson and Mr. Pitt.

Nov. 6th. Admiral Lord Nelson landed here after the battle of Aboukir, having been absent 2 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 s.h.i.+ps 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 s.h.i.+ps 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 inst.i.tuted 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.)

Montgomerys.h.i.+re and Ches.h.i.+re 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 fis.h.i.+ng 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 a.s.sembled at Yarmouth and were embodied.