The Isle of Wight 150 years ago.

Extracts from the Hampshire Telegraph (unless otherwise stated).

April 1862

5 April 1862        

AN UNWISHED-FOR IMPORTATION. – The Cedarina, of 400 tons burthen, on voyage from the Bermudas for London, with a cargo of 191 returned convicts, whose term of sentence will expire shortly, was stranded during awful storm on Wednesday morning, at half-past one o'clock, about a half mile from Grange Chine, but it being at the top of high water, she was driven up so close under the cliff, that the coast-guard were able to send a warp on board by which sixty of the convicts were able to reach the shore in safety; whilst the life boat’s crew were employed in rescuing the officers, wives, and children, with those of the sick and the invalids who were too weak to be entrusted to the warp, and by these means combine the whole were successfully landed in a few hours without the loss of a single life. The convicts numbered 191, and being in possession of plenty of money, and only under control of four warders, immediately on landing they made their way to the different public-houses in Brixton, and terrified the inhabitants in such a manner that they were compelled to forward an express to Parkhurst for the aid of the military, to prevent them being plundered, for the convicts having obtained a supply of liquor either by persuasion or coercion, a scene ensued which defies description. Being maddened by drink, they began fighting with each other, and at one period there were no less than fifty at a time engaged in one of the most dreadful and disgraceful encounters ever witnessed on the Island, wherein limbs were fractured, eyes kicked out, features demolished, and merely left for dead on the ground, none daring to interfere. Colonel Jefferies on learning this, very readily and praiseworthily immediately sent off a strong detachment of troops, armed, to subdue the combatants, and as soon as the men could be mustered, he followed himself with another detachment, who were busily engaged from nine in the morning till seven at night, the rain falling heavily all the time, in pursuing those who could run through all sorts of out-of-the-way places, and placing those who were drunk into the waggons and carts provided by the farmers in the neighbourhood. By these means 190 of the convicts were safely secured in Parkhurst prison by ten o'clock that night, only one of the whole batch being missing. Colonel Jebb was expected down on Thursday evening for the purpose of directing how they were to be disposed of. The hull of the Cedarina is so close to the cliffs that the farmers are enabled at low water to place their waggons alongside and thus secure all the movables. She shows that little signs of damage, but it is the opinion of the people resident near the place where she lies that it is impossible to get her afloat again, owing to the extent and nature of the shoals between her present position and deep water. The ship is partially insured.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. - Charles Butt, aged 13, and Walter Dyer, of Ryde, aged 13, were charged with stealing a live rabbit, the property of William Edmond. The charge being satisfactorily proved, they were ordered to pay a penalty of 10s. each, or in default committed for one month each.

RYDE. – A CHILD RUN OVER. - An inquest was held on Thursday afternoon, at the ”Royal Albert, ” Warwick-street, before F. Blake, Esq., Coroner for the Isle of Wight, upon the body of a little boy, the son of a labourer, who had been run over on Tuesday last. It appeared in evidence that a man named Charles Adams was driving a cart down High-street on Tuesday afternoon, a child named Edward Charles Guy, age three years, by some means got into the road immediately under the wheel. A man, who from his shop-door saw the perilous state of the child, called to the driver and pointed to the wheel, under which the poor little fellow was lying, it having passed over his head, and, according to the medical evidence of Mr. Case, had fractured at the base of the brain. The driver got out of the cart immediately and did everything in his power for the child, but, notwithstanding the immediate aid afforded by Mr. Case, death ensued very shortly. The jury express themselves perfectly satisfied that no fault whatever attached to the driver, and returned without hesitation a verdict of “Accidental death.”

 

12 April 1862      

A barefaced robbery was committed here on Monday by the coachman of Alfred Hughes, Esq., of Thorness, of the name of Nat Edwards, who was trusted with one of his master’s best coach-office of considerable value to get shod, sold it to one of the ostlers at the Bugle Inn for £15, and decamped with the proceeds.

A deputy pay-sergeant of the 22nd Regiment, named Liptrot, absconded on Thursday morning from Parkhurst Barracks, with the money belonging to the company in his possession, but his description being telegraphed to Ryde, and other towns on the coast, he was very shortly afterwards captured by the police at West Cowes, as he was making his way on board the steamer, and safely lodged in the police station in this town by Superintendent Campbell. It is probable that he will be transferred to a military tribunal for trial.

A LAMENTABLE CIRCUMSTANCE occurred at Truckle’s Farm, on Wednesday, to the occupier, Mr. James Duke, yeoman, who happened a few days previous to scratch one of his fingers accidentally, and it is supposed that some kind of poisonous matter was afterwards imbibed, as a frightful inflammation of the arm followed, which the best medical aid failed to subdue. Mortification ensued, and on Wednesday morning the unfortunate man, who had been in a robust state of health up to within a few days, was a corpse, leaving a young wife and large family to their loss.

THE LATE SHIPWRECK. - The ship Cedarene, from the Bermudas, with convicts, which was wrecked near Grange Chine on Wednesday, the 2nd instant, has not yet been helped out of her uncomfortable berth, but we understand that preparations were making yesterday for the purpose of endeavouring to float her once more. Her cargo was nearly all saved, and deposited on the shore or in Barns, but we understand that a considerable portion of it has since been plundered by the wreckers round the coast, some of them probably, will have to answer for their misdeeds this day before the county magistrates.

RYDE – THE PROPOSED TRAMWAY. - The above accommodation in connection with the pier has been commenced this week, the first piles having been driven the length and expose situation of this pier in bad weather renders a walk along it rather a formidable undertaking. When the Tramway, with its covered carriages, shall have been completed, a great boon will have been provided for the travelling public.

 

19 April 1862

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. - Isaac Morris and John Russell, agricultural labourers, in the employ of Mr. John Brook, of Grange Farm, which charged with having been found in possession of a portion of the stores of the ship Cedrine, lately stranded near Grange Chine, with a cargo of returned convicts on board. Lieut. Cutajar, an officer of the coast-guard, appear to sustain the prosecution, but on opening a large bale of new blankets, which were found concealed in the cottages of the prisoners, they were seen to be branded with the broad arrow, and letters B.O., Signifying the articles were to be the property of the Government, consequently the Court remanded the prisoners till Saturday (this day) for the purpose of affording the proper authorities at opportunity to proceed against them in such a manner as they shall deem most fitting, admitting the prisoners to bail in the meantime.

COWES. - The noble Commodore of the Royal Squadron, the Earl of Wilton, has been stopping at the Castle for the last few days, together with several other members, including Captain Bentinck, M.P., Mr. Maxse, Lord Ponsonby, &c. Since last season the Castle grounds have been put into good order, and everything possible has been done to render this summer resort as attractive as can be

RYDE. – ROYAL ISLE OF WIGHT INFIRMARY - Patients admitted during the week, 3; discharged, 1; died, 1; remaining in the house, 15. Out-patients, 75. Surgeon for the week, R.W. Bloxam, Esq. Chaplain for the month, Rev. J. Ballard. House Surgeon, G,H. Case.

The sister of the late Miss Turner, a Roman Catholic lady, gave away 63 loaves and 63 shillings, to as many poor widows and other necessitous persons, on the Monday last. The act of kindness was not confined to persons of her own communion, only recommendation required being necessity.

 

26 April 1862

THE CARISBROOKE EASTER VESTRY was held on Monday, the Vicar, the Rev. E. B. James, in the chair. W. H. Pattinson, Esq., was nominated the minister-warden for the year ensuing, and Mr. George Henry Bull, and Mr. Edward Brook, of Priory Farm, were unanimously elected churchwardens for the year ensuing. Mr. William Shalton being elected a member of the Burial Board, in the room of Mr. John Gould, sen., And of the usual business of the Vestry having been gone through, a subscription was commenced for the repairs of the Old Church, the idea of enforcing a rate for the purpose having for many years been abandoned in this parish.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. - The Wellington brewery at Ventnor was transferred from Mr. John Bull to Mr. H. F. Rayner.

John Stodden, the master of a small coaster, plying between Portsmouth and Cowes, was charged by James Jerratt, the landlord of the New Inn with being drunk and disorderly on Good Friday morning. It appeared that the defendant who was there, as the sailors call it “three sheets in the wind,” on being denied another drop by the complainant’s bar-maid, out of revenge smashed the window in, pulled off his coat, challenge the landlord out to fight, and, as a natural consequence, when he came to his senses found himself in the station-house. Defendant, who was entirely oblivious to all that had occurred, was fined 15s., And in default of payment committed for 14 days.

The Isle of Wight 150 years ago

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1 April 2012