1855, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk
Lowestoft chapter, page 557
That to the north mounted four eighteen pounders, had a breast-work with four angles, a guard-house, and other conveniences. The south fort had thirteen peices of cannon, viz. ten thirty-two pounders and three eighteens; while the lower battery had four thirty-two and two nine pounders, which were then considered amply sufficent for all the purposes of defence. The cannon was removed after the general peace. The South-end Battery is now a Coast Guard Station, with a lieutenant (R. Joachim) and eleven men.
The Custom House Officers are John Robertson, Esq., collector; Mr. Thos. Jackson, comptroller; and John Daniels and Richd. Paul, tide waiters. S. M. Peto, Esq., is chairman, and James Hutt, Esq., of Guildhall buildings, London is secretary of the Lowestoft Railway and Harbour Company. (See page 553.)
Mr. W. H. T. Green, R. N., is the harbour-master; James Balls, deputy harbour-master; Charles Tilmouth, collector of dues, &c., J. B. Matthews, superintendent of works; Newton Wortley, Railway Station-master; Thomas Ward, goods manager; and Thos. Offen, telegraph clerk.
Here are about 17 pilots, licensed by the Trinity House, London.
Lowestoft Ship Building Company have a dry dock, capable of receiving vessels of 1000 tons burden. The North of Europe Steam Navigation Company, established a few years ago, have now fifteen Steam Ships plying regularly between Lowestoft and Tonning, in Denmark; between Hull and Norway and Sweden, and between Grimsby and Hamburg; and varying from 300 to 700 tons, and from 120 to 300 horsepower. The Earl of Yarborough is chair-man and S. M. Peto, Esq., vice-chairman of this spirited company. who have here their principal depot for repairing their ships &c.; but their annual meetings are held in London. Mr. W. B. Wilton is their managing engineer, and Mr. H. Nottingham cashier. As already noticed, this company's vessels now bring from Denmark to Lowestoft immense quantities of cattle, sheep &c. which are forwarded by rails to London, &c.
Lowestfoft Water, Gas, and Market Company was incorporated by an act of parliament obtained in 1853. Their capital is £25,000, raised in £10 shares, and their act empowers them to borrow £5000; to purchase the old Gas Works; to construct Water Works for supplying the town and suburbs; to erect a Market-house in the old part of the town; and to regulate the markets and fairs, levy tolls, &c. Their Water Works are now in progress in the Middle West Field, where excellent water will be pumped from a deep well into a large reservoir, and sent in pipes to the houses of the inhabitants.
As noticed at page 547, there is a Water Tower at Kirkley, which was built a few years ago, and supplies many of the houses in South Lowestoft. The New Market-house is now nearly completed, and occupies the site of the late Queen's Head Inn, in the Market place. The company are about to purchase the Gas Works, which were constructed by Mr. Malam, in 1837, at the cost of £2500; and they are bound by their act not to charge more than 6s. per 1000 cubic feet for gas. Mr. Edmund Norton is their secretary.
The Market is held every Wednesday, and is well supplied with provisions. Here are also two annual fairs for pedlery &c. held May 12th and Oct. 11th.
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