Based on Fragments of Telegrams regarding Newlyn Riots
The first telegram was sent on the 18th May 1896 by Mr Hobson, a fish salesman and managing partner of the Lowestoft based firm, Hobson and Sons. It was received by the Home Secretary in Whitehall, London at 2.35 pm:
“There is a great riot going on here in Newlyn. Fish brought into the harbour by East Country boats have been thrown into the sea. Boats have been damaged and crews intimidated. The authorities are doing all that they can, but remain helpless, please send help.”
The second telegraph was sent from Mr Robert Capps, also a managing partner with the Lowestoft firm, and received by the Home Secretary only a short while later at 2.42pm:
“20 Cornish fishermen have boarded fishing boats from Lowestoft and Yarmouth, throwing their catch into the sea. Two mackerel fishing boats from Lowestoft: the Rover and the Ruby were boarded and brought back into the harbour. The Cornishmen are like pirates and the authorities are helpless to stop them.”
By 10.16 am the next day (19 May) another telegram was received from Hobson:
“My office has been destroyed, and that is not all, I have to report that Cornish fishermen have tried to drown Arnall, Capps and the Harbour Master. I believe that nothing but armed men will stop this riot.”
After the riots, a telegram was sent from Mr William Tonkin, a Newlyn Fisherman:
“As for the question of damages caused to Mr. Robert Capps’ new harbour offices; I feel that this really is a matter for The Board of Trade, who should investigate this practice of forcing men to work on a Sunday. I strongly suggest that you consider using the Act of 1891 to introduce a byelaw, which will stop this once and for all by prohibiting the sale of fish on a Monday. It is clear that it is not only the fishermen of Newlyn who are unhappy. Many of the men from Lowestoft and Yarmouth share the same grievance, and have no desire to fish on the Sabbath, only doing so under pressure from their employer: Hobson and Son.”
It cost a lot to house and feed the Royal Berkshire regiment, but no-one wanted to pay the bill:
“expenses incurred by Chief Constable - £287 14s 9d were paid by ‘Administrative Council of Cornwall’ in 1896 for food and lodging of a military force but can’t be paid out of Imperial fund.”
“County Council denies responsibility.”
No member of the public was allowed to see the files relating to the Newlyn Riots for over 100 years and the files were locked away until 2001.