the online A-Z of Southampton's history.
Outside the Audit House
on the night of the 25th January, 1842
Outside the Audit House
on the night of the 25th January, 1842×
Southampton's celebration of the christening of the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) began at dawn with a royal salute from the guns of the Platform battery and "joyous peals" from the bells of Holy Rood and St Michael's Churches. There was more gunfire from ships in port, the Sun Inn, and the Gaol in God's House Tower, and everywhere on ship and shore was bedecked with flags. It was a fine wintry day, the shops were shut, and a "very numerous and excellent band, led by Mr Targett, and preceded by men carrying flags and banners, paraded the town, playing marches and other music, and halting at intervals to perform the National Anthem." (Hampshire Advertiser 29 January 1842). Amid all the noise as yet more royal salutes were fired and the band toured the local schools, 75 tons of coal and 1,200 blankets were distributed to the poor at a cost of about £400 raised by subscription. At sunset Mr Knight "of the South of England Yacht Agency Office" staged a firework display from Catchcold Tower, followed by the Peninsular Company's Tagus with a "grand discharge of rockets. The liberality of the Captain, officers and crew of this fine vessel, in displays of fireworks on all public occasions, is beyond all praise." The crowds could now admire the illuminations, especially on the Bargate, and the Audit House, which was "a blaze of light from top to bottom." They could also set off their own squibs, firecrackers and "other sparkling missiles … among each other."
EIGHTY YEARS AGO
Remembering Southampton's war day by day
10 January 1942
Walter Kingston recorded "All quiet"
The Echo reported that Major-General Daniel Marcus Beak VC had been put in command of the British Troops on Malta.
July 2021
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Sotonopedia last updated 17 January 2022
