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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
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1858
Star of Gwent. 6th March, 1858 On Tuesday the 2nd March, the town was in its most celebratory mood, the event being the opening of the 'Extension Dock' which has been two years in completion. Thomas Woollet, Esq., Town Clerk, on behalf of the Mayor and Corporation, presented an address to the Dock Directors to which Capt. Foote. R.N., the Secretary replied on behalf of the Directors. The "Great Britain", gaily decked with flags was towed to the upper dock by the tugboat "Neptune," the latter having on board the Mayor (William Williams, Esq.); the Corporation and Samuel Homfray, Esq., Chairman of the Dock Company. Amidst salvoes of cannon and discharges of musketry, to the cheers of the thousands of onlookers, the bands played "Rule Britannia". One of the crew of the "Great Britain" climbed to the top of the foremast, laid himself out on the fore-royal truck, and initiated the actions of a swimmer. A public dinner was held at the King's Head and illuminations, fireworks and a Grand Ball at the Town Hall, brought to a close the festivities.
On Friday afternoon when a vast Concourse of persons was assembled on the Racecourse at Abergavenny an incident occurred which created a most painful interest. The grandstand is close to the banks of the Usk, the waters of which are at this time swollen and rapid from the recent storms. The Joint Counties Lunatic Asylum, in which there are about 800 patients, is very near to the opposite bank of the river; and on this afternoon a large body of female lunatics was brought out to walk by the side of the river opposite to the racecourse, and from which they would see something of the sport. Suddenly one of the patients, a fine middle aged woman saw among the crowd on the other bank her husband, who is a confectioner at Newport, hawking his wares among the people. With a scream she ran down the bank and threw herself into the foaming torrent. Attention was drawn to her just as the horses were about to start for the Club Stakes. Terror ensued; patients on the bank clung to each other and filled the air with their shrieks. The poor woman was carried rapidly down the stream and yelled for aid. A man threw off his clothing and dived into the Flood; he managed to reach the woman. He held on to her and swam with her towards the shore where the usual restoratives were applied and the woman was found to he alive. The racegoers collected nearly £15 for the heroic rescuer and Lord Tredegar's party promised a further 5 guineas. [ Back ] |
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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
Past |
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