Durham Mining Museum - Local Records Extracts (original) (raw)

1856

February 7. — A violent gale of wind occurred this morning, and did great injury to property, particularly amongst shipping. At South Shields several waggons, filled with coals, standing upon the Stanhope Coal-drops, were hurled over into a vessel, the ship receiving so much damage that she sank immediately. [_LRF_]

March 1. — The Marchioness of Londonderry entertained upwards of 3,000 pitmen and workpeople, employed on her ladyship's collieries and estates, to a substantial dinner in the large works of Mr. Hopper, at Chilton, near Fence Houses, Durham. The provision made consisted of eight fat bullocks, fifteen sheep, a ton of plum-pudding, a ton and a half of bread, 100 bushels of potatoes, and fifty barrels of ale. The chair was taken by Earl Vane, the Marchioness of Londonderry being seated on his right, and the Countess Vane on his left. On the platform were Mr. Mowbray, M.P., Mr. Hugh Taylor, chairman of the coal trade, Mr. Commissioner Ellison, Mr. Baker Baker, the Mayors of Durham and Sunderland, Mr. G. Elliott, &c. After dinner the meeting was addressed by the Marchioness in an eloquent and impressive manner, which was replied to by Mr. James Cuthbertson, one of the workmen, and the proceedings passed off most agreeably to all present. [_LRF_]

March 6. — Married, in London, Wentworth Blackett Beaumont, esq., M.P., of Bywell, Northumberland, to the Lady Margaret Anne De Burgh, fourth daughter of the Marquis of Clanricarde. By daybreak several guns at Hexham, Bywell, Allendale, and other places on the vast estates of the hon. gentleman in Northumberland and Durham, ushered in the festivities of the day, and these were followed by the display of banners, the ringing of bells, and the parading of bands playing festive music. At Hexham £100, in Weardale £200, and smaller amounts in other places, were distributed amongst the poor, and a grand ball and supper to the principal inhabitants of Newcastle and Hexham and the neighbouring districts took place at Bywell Hall. [_LRF_]

June 18. — Prince Napoleon, cousin of the Emperor of the French, paid a visit to Newcastle this day. The prince arrived off the mouth of the Tyne, in his yacht the "Reine Hortense," at an early hour, and, after landing with his suite at Tynemouth, and visiting the ruins of the Abbey, they repaired to the railway station, and from thence were conveyed to Newcastle. After breakfasting at the Queen's Head Inn, the distinguished visitors set off for Seghill Colliery, where the whole process of mining operations was explained to them by Mr. John Carr, jun., and Mr. Fryer, the viewer. His imperial highness wishing to become practically acquainted with the nature of a miner's work took up pick which he wielded vigorously for some time, but after a good trial laid it down, and, looking mournfully at his blistered hands, remarked that he could not work like that for six shillings a day if he were starving. The party afterwards visited Hartley and Seaton Delaval and then returned to Tynemouth, where the embarkation of His Imperial Highness took place, in the afternoon, under a royal salute from the guns of the Castle. [_LRF_]

August 6. — Died, in London, aged 55, the Right Hon. Isabella Horatio Lady Ravensworth. Her ladyship was the eldest daughter of the late Lord George Seymour, and grand-daughter of Francis, first Marquis of Hertford, and was married in 1820 to the Hon. H. T. Liddell, now Lord Ravensworth, by whom her lady ship had fourteen children, all of whom, except three, survived her. [_LRF_]

August 17. — Died, in London, aged 58, James Hann, esq., a well known mathematician. The deceased was a native of Tyneside, his father being superintendent of the pumping engine at Hebburn Colliery, and James, at an early age, performed the duties of stoker. Many of the best years of his life were occupied in pursuits of so laborious character as to leave him but trifling leisure for his favourite studies. When in his 21st year, Hann was engaged as fireman in the X L, a small passenger steamboat, plying between Newcastle and Shields, and it was whilst working in this manner, that he was first seen by Goldsworthy Gurney reading the works of Emmerson, the mathematician. The following anecdote is illustrative of the difficulty he had in obtaining books treating of his favourite subjects :– "One evening, in returning homeward from his daily toil, he saw a soiled copy of "Dr. Gregory's Mathematics for Practical Men" exposed for sale on the Quayside. The price was a mere trifle, but Hann had not a penny in his pocket. He turned away in despair, not knowing how to possess himself of the treasure. His wife was in the fields when he arrived at home, his little daughter performing the duties of housekeeper. He enquired of the child if her mother had paid the rent, and, on being answered in the negative, he asked where she had put it. The daughter directed him to a tea cup in the cupboard. He took the money and set off at once, as it was near the hour his wife was expected home, and he, probably, feared some remonstrance. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hann returned, and the first news from her daughter was, that her father had taken the money. His wife immediately set out in pursuit, and overtook her husband before be arrived at the book shop. She remonstrated, as he had anticipated, but he quieted her by saying, that if he could get that book he would be able to make all their fortunes. His wife at last consented, and Hann often declared that the happiest moment of his life was when he became the owner of that work." He was at length persuaded to open a school at Friars' Goose, near Newcastle, this he did not continue long. Through the influence of his friend Mr. Woolhouse, Mr. Hann procured an appointment in the Nautical Almanack" office, Greenwich. He afterwards became writing master in King's College, London, and, ultimately, mathematical master. His able works on mathematics and mechanical science will endear him to those of future times. He was not only esteemed in this country, but his works made him known and appreciated throughout Europe. Of kindly heart, generous impulses, and honourable conduct, whoever knew him esteemed and loved him. [_LRF_]

• LRF — Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events by T. Fordyce, published in 1867