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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
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1837
Merlin 11th April, 1837 On Tuesday morning last a fine barque named 'Amelia' about 400 tons burthen was launched from the building yard of the active and enterprising Mr. John Young. A very numerous concourse arrived to witness the spectacle, and arrangements having been made with skill and caution, the fine ship entered the element of her operations in style amid loud huzzas and waving of hats and handkerchiefs. She is intended for the Liverpool and West India trade; her beautiful construction reflects the highest credit on the builder and gives much satisfaction to the owner. The same day Mr. Young gave a dinner to about 70 of the workmen, a well considered act as attentive mechanics well merit encouragements. Mr. Young and the Captain entertained at a capital dinner several gentlemen connected with the trade of Newport, at Adams Boarding House; the viands and wines gave much satisfaction; the shipbuilding trade and the prosperity of the town were the topics of the evening. All the gentlemen, we understand, were safely launched from Adams Wharf and went seasonably to hammocks without any injury to their figureheads. Mr. Young has two other vessels of 200 tons each on the stocks.
Here was seen the lads and lassies from moor and mountain decked in gay attire relaxing their minds and muscles (for there was no end of dancing) with needful amusements, after the toils of their various occupations since last Stow Fair. The lads were not behind-hand and mustered in pretty correct proportions to the maids - indeed their numbers were so nicely adjusted one would think they came in pairs. Numerous were the stalls of spice, snatch, brandy balls and mint water and eloquent were the proprietors in celebrating their several virtues. Indeed some of the gentry were gifted with powers more uncommon than eloquence, for one at least was master of the art of transmuting metals, and only needed to feel a silver shilling to change it into a composition, which has no name, but which crumbles to dust when returned to the original owner; however, being rather sharply talked to by a customer who had no taste for such philosophy, he induced him by the use of arguements, not unfamiliar at Stow, to exceed the bounds of his original intention by trying his experiment backwards, and transmuting the nameless metal to good silver again. There were several caravans of wild beasts and monsters, containing (to say nothing of those which were at large) live kangaroos and crocodiles, besides mermen and children with two heads etc… From the crowds who flocked to the different booths and caravans we suspect those gentry made a good harvest. A few conveyances, we understand, from Bristol were endeavouring to practice in the fair. They were kept in check however by our active Chief Constable Redman. We have not heard of any accident.
Yesterday afternoon shortly before the Packet left for Bristol a man, his wife and their children went on board. Nothing particular in the appearance of either was observed; but shortly after the vessel started the woman became violently ill and before they reached Pill she was a corpse. The body was put on shore and carried in a blanket to the house of Mr. Williams at the 'Sign of the Ship Aground' where it awaits the Coroner' s inquest.
We regret exceedingly the good sense of our fellow-townsmen and the authorities in not preventing the mischievous exhibition which took place on Monday night. The town for several hours presented such a scene of riot and confusion as was very disgraceful. No person whatever could pass along the streets without being assailed by showers of squibs and all sorts of combustibles, in consequence of which several individuals suffered severe personal injury; and we venture to say no one could see the tar barrels, which blazed in different parts of the town and in the narrow streets, without serious apprehension for the safety of the houses. The late mayor (Mr. Frost) and other Magistrates exerted themselves in the most strenuous manner to put a stop to the confusion but they were not so successful as one could wish. We are sorry to add that the occasion was marked by an outrage of a very serious nature; Redman, the police-officer and his assistants, were wantonly assailed in Commercial Street by a gang of ruffians armed with clubs and stones, who treated them in the most brutal manner; such was the violence sustained by Redman, that he was confined to his bed for some days. We hope the perpetrators of this outrage will be made to suffer for their brutality.
On Tuesday last a gang of circulators of base coin consisting of one man and two women was broken up in Newport. Half crowns and half sovereigns were offered to various tradesmen in the town and in some instances were unfortunately taken. It is deeply to be regretted that after a very severe and close examination only one of then could be detected; one of the women calling herself Elizabeth Jones. She has been sent to Usk for trial.
Lewis Edwards Esq. has been elected to the office of Mayor
of our town. His simplicity of manner has already endeared himself to
many of our townsfolk who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance. As
an instance of his style of manner, it may be noted that as deacon of
Mill Street Congregational Chapel he said: "There will be no church
in this chapel next Sunday in consequence of our going to whitewash the
place yellow." [ Back ] |
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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
Past |
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