Portland Year Book


 
Index
  

Portland Year Book 1905
RECORD OF 1904-5



1904  
April     The Marconi Wireless Telegraph Station was removed from near the Coastguard Station to the High Lighthouse.
     Three Coastguardsmen were presented with diplomas and medals sent by the King of Sweden for gallantry at the wreck of the Patria on Chesil Beach.
2  The Captain's boat from the Revenge was capsized and the crew of seamen were rescued with the plucky assistance of Waterman John Antony.
6 Easton Glee Class gave their first. public concert in the Jubilee Hall.
l3 The King of Sweden's medal " for bravery" was presented to Warrant Officer Wm. C. Norris for gallant services at the wreck of the Patria
17 Commissioner Coombs (Salvation Army) visited Portland.
Edward Stone, of Straits (Portland Artillery Volunteers) was buried with military honours.
19 Mr E. B Radcliffe, Tariff Reform League speaker, lectured at Portland.
23  George King, a Portland convict, attempted to escape, but was captured at the top of Fortune's Well.
24  Portland Volunteers and Fire Brigade Church Parade.
26  Colonel Brymer, MP spoke at Easton on the fiscal question.
29 Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood, commanding the Second Army Corps, visited Portland and inspected the defences.
  The Portland Year Book for 1904 was published from the Telegram offices.
May  
3  South Portland Women's Liberal Association addressed by Mr Scarisbrick.
5 Annual meeting of the South Portland Liberal Club.
The foundations for the new Lighthouse at Portland were excavated. 
Sergeant Major Brown, a Portlander, was promoted Quartermaster of the Dorset Regiment, with the rank of lieutenant.
8-10  Large quantities of mackerel were caught at Portland
11 Portland Congregational Cantata Choir gave a performance of "The Men of the Mayflower"
14 Presentations were made to Mr Holmes, treasurer and Mr W. Osborne, secretary of the Portland Prison Officers and Grove United Football Club
15 Passive Resisters from Portland were before the Weymouth County Bench
16 The  Dorset Militia went into camp at Portland
18 Mr Scarisbrick at the South Portland Liberal Club
23 Messrs Cosens and Company's steamers carried 2,300 people to Portland.
25 The Victoria Gardens, Underhill, were opened by Mr H. Sansom JP chairman of the Urban District Council.
  Mr G. H. Collins offered �100 towards providing shelters in the Gardens.
  A naval sham fight took place at Portland.
26  The May Court Leet was attended by Col. Brymer, M.P.
Trinity House will pay �800 in connection with the new lighthouse site at Portland Bill.
31  HMS Erebus, the new depot ship for Torpedo Boat Destroyers arrived at Portland.
Messrs Jesty and Baker undertook the reconstruction of Easton Railway Station, which was burnt down.
June  
3 Death of Mr Elijah Cleall from injuries received in a street accident, aged 71.
8  The 2nd Dorsets' sports were held at the Verne Citadel.
In the High Court, the action brought against the Urban Council by Messrs Easton and Anderson in connection with the. water scheme was heard.
The improvements to Church Hope were completed.
15 The water main to Portland Bill was completed.
Another case of sheep worrying occurred on Mr Collins' Crown Farm.
Four stone wagons ran away on the incline railway and dashed into the Admiralty slaughter-house, doing damage to the extent of �300.
The questions of Portland fishermen's right to dig for bait at the Mere, and their right to beach their boats in certain places, were discussed at the Southern Sea Fisheries Committee at Weymouth.
The Home Fleet left Portland for Berehaven.
Fortune's Well Wesleyan Day School, Trustees contemplate spending �1,500 in enlarging the school.
19 The Bishop of Salisbury preached at St. Peter's Church in aid of the Queen Victoria Clergy Fund.
22 The combined bands of HMS Boscawen I and II played in the Victoria Gardens
24 A convict named Brown escaped from the prison, but was caught in a quarry close by
The annual sports of HM Training Fleet were held at Portland.
25 Guard Palmer was seriously injured at Easton station.
30 The Wesleyan Quarterly meeting was held at Easton. The returns showed 800 scholars and 333 full members
  The Portland Jubilee Hall was transferred from the Conservative Association to the Working Men's Club.
July  
5 About sixty members of the Southampton Builders' Association were entertained at luncheon by the Bath Stone Finns and inspected the quarries.
8  The Urban District Council made their annual inspection of the Upwey Water Works. They also visited the Alexandra Gardens. Weymouth, and were entertained by Mr J. Howard Bowen at the Marine Hotel.
11  The 101st anniversary of the Fortune's Well Wesleyan Sunday School was celebrated, the Rev. J. G. Gill being the preacher.
16  The torpedo depot ship Erebus left Portland for Waterford for the manoeuvres.
17  The 35th anniversary of the Fortune's Well Primitive Methodist Church was celebrated.
19  A heavy thunderstorm visited Portland.
23  The Rev. F. Bullock, curate of S. George's, Portland, gave a lecture on Japan to the South Dorset Teachers' Association.
26  The half-yearly meeting of the Portland Railway Company was held at the Victoria hotel. A dividend of l5 per cent was declared
  A number of Portland wagonette drivers were fined by the county magistrates for carrying too many passengers
30  A petty officer shot. himself on board HMS Boscawen
  The Hants Volunteer Engineers encamped on Portland Great Common outside the Verne Citadel.
August  
1  The Bank Holiday concerts in the Victoria Gardens were very successful. There were 1,000 passengers by the Easton Church Hope Railway.
10 The Easton Square Gardens were opened by Mr H. Sansom, chairman of the Urban Council.
  The Rev. G. H. Marshall was as appointed to Portland in place of the Rev. E. T. Selby.
  The "Methodist Recorder" published au illustrated article on Portland Methodism.
  A presentation was made by the Young men of Fortune's Well Wesleyan Church to the Rev. E. Selby, on his leaving the Island
11 Lieut. Witton, who had been a prisoner at Portland for the murder of Boers in 1901, was released.
23 The Royal Yacht Osborne visited Portland.
25 The Admiralty yacht Enchantress was at Portland.
31 The Rev J. Page and the Rev. J. Ash received a public welcome at the Bible Christian Church, the former on commencing the fifth year and the latter the second year of service.
September  
5 Mr Abel Lake attained his 91st birthday.
9  Private Gordon, of the 2nd Dorsets, was accidentally drowned in a tank at the Verne.
  The annual report of the Portland Royal Dispensary was issued by Mr A. Score, Hon. secretary.
  Mr W. H. Baker introduced the first motor boat to Portland waters.
72 Portland Choral Society elected Mr F. J. Barnes, CC as their president, and Mr W. Stone as conductor.
21  Naval Sports of Portland
  Rev. G. H. Marshall, second Wesleyan minister at Portland received a public welcome
Easton
23 The 2nd Dorsets left Portland for Colchester They were succeeded by the Warwickshire Regiment
  Mr J. Sansom, a member of the Portland Council, was injured in a trap accident
27 Portland Fire Brigade was successful at the Dorchester competitions.
30 Vice-Admiral Lord Charles Beresford with the Channel Squadron arrived at Portland.
October  
2 Commander Melvill, of HMS Illustrious, was drowned from a steam pinnace at Portland. Commander Hodges, of H.M.S. Hermes made a gallant attempt to save him.
11 Death of Mr E. P. Flew, aged 82.
12  Claims Made by Trinity House pilots for a higher scale of pay for services to steamers taking in provisions and coal, were dismissed by the County Bench
15 Funeral of Commander Melvill at the Naval and Military Cemetery.
16 Young People's Sunday was observed.
20  The Rev J. Buck, Primitive Methodist, accepted an invitation to Eastbourne.
24  Col. Brymer MP addressed a public meeting at Portland
  A Homing Pigeon Society was formed at Portland, with Mr W Elliott, 33, Avalanche Road as Hon. sec.
  The County Education Committee made arrangements for Portland pupil teachers to attend Weymouth centre.
November  
5 Portland Fair was held
  The Home Fleet was in the Harbour
10 Mr William Pearce, of the Delhi Inn, Straits the oldest  licensed victualler in Portland, died at the age of 68
11 Mr S. Attwooll, secretary to the. South Portland Liberal Club was seriously injured in a quarry accident
14 A draft of about 150 officers and men of the 2nd Warwicks left Portland for India.
17  Fire on board the Haytian a coal hulk belonging to Messrs Collins and Co.
  The Court Leet was held at the George Inn, Reforne
18, 19, 21 A grand naval entertainment was given at the Masonic Hall.
23  Portland Co-operative Society celebrated its 2nd anniversary.
  Dr O'Loughlin lectured to the Easton Wesley Guild on the question, " Are the stars inhabited ?"
  The Rev J. T. Davies lectured on "Hymns and their writers."
27  A bluejacket was drowned from H.M.S. Berwick.
  Rev J. T. Davies started the pleasant Sunday Afternoon movement at Portland Congregational Church.
  The rainfall in November was only .97 inches. It was the driest November for 15 years.
  Temperance Sunday was observed at Portland.
December  
7 Mr H. Broadhurst, M.P., addressed a Liberal mass meeting at Portland. Mr Scarisbrick, Mr Robert Pearce, and Mr Hamar Greenwood also spoke.
  Portland Choral Society rendered Haydn's " Creation " at the Jubilee Hall, Easton. Mr W. Stone conducted.
9 The Atlantic Fleet of 8 ships left Portland for Vigo
  Sapphire II, the old Impereuse, was brought. to Portland as a store ship and torpedo depot.
  The Rev Mr Anguin, of Loughborough, accepted the invitation to succeed the Rev E. Cole as superintendent Wesleyan Minister in September.
  A Poor Rate of 1s 4d in the � was made
10 County Council prizes were distributed in the Portland Schools.
11 A new Bible Christian Mission Chapel was opened in the Grove
15 St. George's Parish Room, at the rear of Reforne Schools, was opened. The Rev C. Askwith gave an address.
  The Home Fleet left. Portland to grant Christmas leave.
  Privates Cunningham and Straney of the 2nd Dorsets, were presented with the Royal Humane Society's certificates for their attempt rescue Private Gordon, who was drowned in a tank at the Verne Citadel in September.
16  Death of Mr E Gibbs, a Wesleyan worker, at. Easton, aged 29.
19 St. John's new Parish Room was opened.
20  The Portland Company of the 1st Dorset R. G. Vol. Artillery held their annual prize shooting at the Drill Hall.
30 William Harper, a private in the Warwickshire Regiment, fell into a quarry and was killed.
January, 1905  
2 Easton and Church Hope Railway passengers commenced to entrain from the new station platform.
  A fire occurred at the Breakwater Hotel.
  The Wesleyan Quarterly meeting reported a membership of 341.
  A flotilla of about 30 torpedo boat. and destroyers assembled at Portland under command of Rear Admiral Winsloe.
11 The annual Masonic Ball tool place at Portland, and was a great success.
  A new Sunday School was opened in the Grove Bible Christian Church
16 George Vincent and John Wilkinson convicts, escaped from Portland Prison, but were captured within three hours
  A handsome Celtic cross was placed in the Naval and Military Cemetery in memory of Commander F. W. Melvill, of HMS Illustrious.
25  Easton Glee Class gave a concert cert. in the Jubilee Hall.
31  Death of Mrs  Wm. Attwooll aged 81.
February  
1 A Primitive Methodist Bazaar opened by Mr H. Sansom JP realised �86.
3  A fire occurred at a lock-up shop in Fortune's Well.
6 Sudden death of Mr Councillor White, aged 48.
10 The County Education Committee's medals and prizes for regular attendance were distributed at Portland.
14 The Erebus left Portland
  An octopus was found on the Chesil Beach 
  Supt. Burden retired from the police service after 34 year's service.
  There was a shortage in the water supply of Portland during February
20 North Portland Liberal Club held its annual meeting.
March  
5  Five ships of the Reserve Fleet arrived at Portland.
8 Mr Scarisbrick spoke at a smoking concert held in the North Portland Liberal Club. Councillor S. Pearce presided.
14 A representation from a coroner's jury at Portland that the fee of 8d per man for attending an inquest was not sufficient was before the County Council, who declined to alter the fee, as it was fixed for the whole county.
17  The Royal Yacht, with Queen Alexandra on board, put into Portland Harbour and left next day.
18 A stoker of H.M.S. Good Hope, was knocked overboard and killed.
22 A large number of warships arrived at Portland.
  Reservoirs for the storage of oil for fuel in the Navy were being constructed at Castletown by Messrs. Jesty & Baker
  The Rev. G. H. Marshall, junior Wesleyan Minister at Portland, accepted a call to Northallerton, Yorks.
  The Salvation Army self-denial effort realised �63
27 Record split of stone in Kingbarrow quarries. It was 100 ft. in length 20 ft wide and 12 ft in depth, and weighed 1,600 tons.
29  Mr & Mrs R. Mann, of Wakeham celebrated their golden wedding.
 30 Portland Wesleyan Circuit Quarterly Meeting was held. The lumber of members in the circuit was 324, an increase of one on the year.
31  Mr. A. O. Woods was buried with full Salvation Army honours.
April  
3 Sudden death of Robt. Holmes, landlord of the Eagle Tavern, from heart failure.
  The ratepayer' poll on the secondary school question resulted as follows:-

For no school at all                  784
For  secondary school               84
For a higher elementary school   83
4 Swallows are seen in Portland for the first time this year,
5  Dorset Quarter Sessions sanctioned the holding of sub-police courts at Portland and the discontinuance of the court at Weymouth. 
  Operative Stonemason's Society's benefit concert for Mr G. Frampton
7 Last of the 2nd Royal Warwickshire band's winter concerts at the Verne.
8  Contract for additions to Wesleyan School secured by Messrs Jesty & Baker.
11  South Dorset License-holders Protection Association half yearly meeting.
  Funeral at. Kensal Rise of H. S. Clutton Deputy Steward of the Royal Manor.
12  Amateur Pierrot Concert in aid of the North Portland Liberal Club.
  Concert in aid of the New Wesleyan School.
14 Urban District Council held a special meeting to consider a judgment given by the Official Referee on April 5, against the Council in the action brought by Messrs Easton & Anderson Ltd. for claims arising out of the machinery contract for the Water works scheme. The Council decided not to appeal against the decision.
  Removal of Training from Portland to Harwich, announced to take place on 18th May next.
Mar. 14 1905
(Tuesday), 		 The new Breakwater Lighthouse was used for the first time
15 First Cruiser Squadron assembled at Portland.

Sept. 12, 1858 The worst mutiny of convicts occurred at Portland when large numbers escaped and reached as far as Verne Hill.

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