December 1875
Isle of Wight Observer:
Dec 4th 1875: TORPEDO EXPERIMENTS – A London naval correspondent says: “I hear, that some important torpedo experiments are about to be tried at Spithead. The idea, as far as I can learn, is to test the rapidity and effectiveness with which a ship lying at an unprotected or unfortified anchorage could render herself unapproachable, by being surrounded with a chain of submarine mines. The point to be considered, too, is at what distance these mines could be sunk from the protected ship.”
Dec 11th 1875: MEMORIAL – A memorial brass has just been erected in the Congregational Church, George-street, to the late Mr. and Mrs. WOODROW.
Dec 11th 1875: DISEASE AMONG PIGS – We regret to say that there seems to be a serious disease spreading among the pigs in this town. It seems to be a form of fever, nearly allied to typhoid, and is contagious, so that both those who keep pigs and those who kill pork had need be careful.
Dec 11th 1875: HOW TO HELP – On Wednesday evening a meeting of the members of the 1st (Ryde) corps was held in the Town-hall, to consider the best method of helping the widow and children of the late Sergeant-Instructor YEATES, whose sudden and lamented death had left them entirely unprovided for. A subscription was at once opened, and the members came forward liberally that it soon amounted to nearly £30. It was decided that the money obtained be vested in the hands of four trustees and from time to time applied to the relief of Sergeant YEATES children in such a way as might be desirable. (More about Sergeant Yeates here)
Dec 25th 1875: NEW SKATING RINKS – A company has been formed for the purpose of constructing another skating rink in this town in the vicinity of Union-street, it is being thought that the present rink is not in such a central position as to meet the wants of those living in the western part of the town. We believe the promoters of the new scheme are several well-known tradesmen, and as these rinks seem every day more popular, we think there is ample room in the town for two or three more.
Dec 25th 1875: IMPROVEMENTS IN WEST-STREET – We are glad to see that the rather sharp corner at the top of West-street, opposite the Parish Church, has been rounded off, and the corner widened—the owner (Mr. PETERS) having kindly given a strip of land for the purpose. We will also mention this side of West-street, which has a more rural appearance than most streets of the town, will be still further altered by the erection of a villa residence, which Mr. G. L. RIDDETT is now building.
Dec 25th 1875: SHAKERS IN RYDE – Last evening the announcement that Mrs GIRLING (the famous Shaker “mother,” who has been preaching at Portsmouth and other places) would be at the Victoria Rooms, attracted a large number of people, in spite of the somewhat high prices of admission. The assembly included, it seemed, some of the “rough” element of which Ryde is not wholly destitute, for some persons treated the whole affair as they would a pantomime, and began stamping for the “performance” to commence. The meeting closed with prayer, and there was hardly any disorderly conduct.
Dec 25th 1875: SERIOUS ACCIDENT – A rather serious accident has occurred to Mr. Shem COMDEN, of this town. His son, a little boy about 9 years of age, purchased two squibs of Mr. DUNCAN, of High-street. The child when it got home took the dangerous things upstairs and set fire to one of them on the drawing room table. Mr. COMDEN came into the room, caught hold of the squib and carried it to the fireplace to prevent damage to the furniture. While he was doing this the squib exploded and so badly injured his face that Dr. BARROW had to be called in. Mr. COMDEN has since been under medical treatment.
Dec 25th 1875: DEATH OF MR. MILLIGAN – We have this week lost another of our oldest resident gentry, in the person of Mr. MILLIGAN, of Eastridge, Bellevue-road, who died on Tuesday evening, at the age of 88 years. There are very few now living who were present at the battle of Waterloo, Mr. MILLIGAN enjoyed this great distinction, for he was an officer of the 11th Light Dragoons, and was in that famous battle, which ended in the total overthrow of Napoleon, and his exile to St. Helena. More about Robert Milligan here