Isle of Wight 11th century wall discovered and more in days gone by

125 years ago, in September 1899: 

A 14-year-old girl accomplished a remarkable swim - crossing the Solent from Gurnard in 1hr 55min. Norah Cook's time was believed to be a record, beating male swimmers who had completed the same route.

100 years ago, in September 1924:

Excavations at Carisbrooke Castle uncovered a curtain wall believed to date from the 11th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest. The wall was 9ft thick and believed to be a defence wall, probably enclosing an early moat.

Princess Beatrice, president of the British Red Cross, distributed various badges and certificates to volunteer workers of the IW branch at Gatcombe House. The proficiency awards were given for work during the war, and peacetime work on the Island.

The paddle steamer Shanklin, built in Southampton, was delivered to The Southern Railway Co., having completed its sea trials. The steamer would provide a passenger service between Portsmouth and Ryde.

75 years ago, in September 1949:

The prompt actions of a Ryde headmistress saved a Finnish man from drowning. Bertie Engberg had left the yacht Estelle to row to shore. His dinghy capsized and seeing distress flares from the Estelle, Miss Birtwhistle, of Sloane Street School, called the police.

Three men and a woman were charged with stealing a variety of items from the yacht Daedalus, moored at Cowes. The defendants were accused of stealing items such as binoculars, a barometer, three gallons of petrol and wine and spirits, having run out of money for an adventurous bid to sail to Australia.

A Humber car with an Island registration aroused considerable interest at the Devon Industries Fair. The DL39 was the first car introduced to Freshwater in 1903. It had later been taken to Devonshire and after clocking up 100,000 miles was left in a scrap yard for 27 years before its owner found and restored it. 

Islanders joined the rest of the country in celebrating the anniversary of the Battle of Britain with remembrance services and displays of air power.

50 years ago, in September 1974:

A family of four was rescued from the roof of a Bembridge house when fire swept through part of the building. Mr and Mrs Andrew Mackenzie and their daughters, Gail and Melissa, only had time to call the fire brigade before the fire, which damaged their lounge, forced them to the roof.

Harry Peel planned to celebrate his 73rd birthday by walking round the Island. Mr Peel, of Lowtherville Road, Upper Ventnor, previously completed the 66-mile walk for his 72nd birthday with members of the Ramblers Association in 21 hours.

Winds of up to 70 mph were recorded at The Needles as gales across the Island brought trees crashing down — including two which smashed into homes in Ryde and Bembridge.

Following the firm orders placed at the Farnborough Air Show, a great deal of interest was shown in the Islander and Trislander planes. Inquiries were received from the Falkland Islands, Singapore, Australia and America.