The
Fisherman's Hospital
The fisherman's hospital was first erected in
1702, and previously restored in 1929/30. The trustees at the time of that
restoration included T.W.Gooch, Alderman Swindell J.P., being Chairman.
Subscribers to the cause included the boat owners, Lacons, Bloomfields, and
Fellows shipyard. The hospital was originally built at the expense of the town
council. A council meeting on 17th. July 1711, ordered that all residents must
exceed 60 years old, and be fishermen. They could be accompanied by their wife
if married. If a resident wished to marry whilst in residence, the permission
of the committee was required. An allowance was paid to residents, but only so
long as they remained at the hospital. The outer gate was to be locked at 9
P.M. every day. The key then was held by one
resident, appointed as key holder.
The hospital was again restored in 1985-6.
Trustees at that time included Councillor Stone, (Mayor 1966-7) Vice Chairman
was Rev. R.Allington-Smith, and treasurer was P.E. Page Esq., other trustees included councillor Batley.
"Friends" of the hospital were under the chairmanship of P.G.Trett,
and included Councillors Taylor and Hollis, Mrs. P.A. Ashbourne, and T.J.
Ashbourne. There were grants from the Borough Council, and The Department of
the Environment, and English Heritage (central Government sponsored). There
were fund raising donations by locally based firms such as Amoco, Annsbrook
Limited, etc.
Fred Eastoe 3rd from lt., Jack
Hubbard on rt.
In the distant past, the executors of Thomas
Bradford erected in 1705, a gallery in the nave of the Parish Church, the rents
from which were donated to the Hospital, after which the churchwardens paid
five pounds a year instead, until 1857. Other benefactors over the years
included- in 1707, Mr. John Filkin, and in 1708, Elizabeth Blennerhasset. The
latter donated one pound a year, half at Easter, and half at Christmas. In
1709, Captain Gabriel Milleson gave by will, likewise in 1725 Mrs. Suzanna
Master, and in 1762, Mr. Benjamin Jolly
(£100). In 1811 John Lacon left a legacy of £200, and the same year a Mr. John
Boldra was also noted to leave a legacy. In 1812 Robert Warmington gave by
will, and Miss Eleanor Wright gave by will £100 in 1819. In 1884, William
Norton Burroughs gave £500, and in 1902 Robert James Webb, smack owner of
Gorleston gave £20. Thus the hospital can be seen to have survived the
centuries thanks to charitable donations from all quarters.
After the last of the restorations, the
hospital was opened officially by H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester, G.C.V.O., on
19th.May 1987.
There is a statue of Neptune on high in the
centre of the hospital in a tower above a central passageway. An inscription on
the tablet below, showing a three masted sailing vessel, says- "An
hospital for decayed fishermen, founded by the corporation 1702".
The hospital is now divided into ten
self-contained small fully modernised dwellings.