1870 The museum is enriched by a collection of 'fishes,minerals, insects, shells & fossils. 1870 This year's drought plus increased housing obliges the Arbroath Corporation to seek a supplementary water supply. 1870 The University of St Andrews confers on Alexander Brown, Arbroath astronomer & meteorologist, the Degree of Doctor of Laws. 1870s Kinblethmont House is built on the ruins of an existing Scottish baronial house. 1871 (prior to) The General Police & Improvement Act of Scotland is adopted. 1871 (Feb 17) John Anderson Gilruth is born at Auchmithie. As a veterinarian, pathologist, research director & administrator he will work in New Zealand (from 1893) & Australia (from 1908) where Gilruth Plains (Queensland), Gilruth Avenue (Darwin) & the Gilruth Prize of the Australian Veterinary Association will all be named in his honour. 1871 The population is 22,682. 1871 Ann Haggart of Westgate House is the Gatekeeper for Hospitalfield Estate. 1871 (-1877) The Old Harbour, it's quays rebuilt, is converted to a wet dock, the New Harbour & entrance from the Bar are deepened, the old N.E. corner slipway demolished & a new patent slip formed. 1871 (Sep 25) Nolt Loan water supply (with reservoir & pumping engine) is turned on, supplying 130 street hydrants. 1871 (-72) St Vigeans Kirk is enlarged & modernised: 17th - early 19th century additions are removed, roofs replaced now following 1485 lines, & a new 2nd north aisle & Apse added. During this time, separate churches are established at Auchmithie & Colliston. The work on the Kirk (plus 1888 discoveries) reveal a stunning collection of sculptured stones dating from the 7th to the 11th centuries. 1872 (May 9) The restored St Vigeans Kirk is re-opened. 1872 The High school passes to the charge of the School Board 'with a rector, 8 under- masters, accomodation for 613 & giving higher class education to over 300 pupils'. 1872 Mission Meeting House for Ladyloan Free Church opens. 1872 (May 6) The Arbroath Shipbuilding Cos last vessel, the schooner 'Romala' is launched. 1873 Elizabeth Allan-Fraser dies. Patrick Allan-Fraser buys the central plot of the newly proposed Western Cemetery. 1873 Webster's Alma Factory is built. 1873 Arbroath Baptist Church opens in Market Place (opposite the Corn Exchange & above the 21st century shops). 1874 An organ is built in the Public Hall, High Street. 1874 J. Irving is the Arbroath delegate at the first conference of the National Union of Boot & Shoe Operatives in Northampton. 1875 The old S.W. entrance to the inner dock is built up & a new entrance gateway is formed (where present dock gates are). 1875 There are 154 fishing boats operating from the harbour. There are 34 spinning mills & factories, 1,400 looms producing 1m yards of osnaburgs & 450k yards of sailcloth this year. 1875 Ladyloan Church is adorned with two memorial stained-glass windows. 1875 Parkhouse Primary School opens at Lordburn. A Police office will occupy this site from 1992. 1875 St Vigeans Kirk has a 'Harrison' organ installed. 1875 East Free Church is re-built at Brothock Bridge. 1875 (-1880) Three sailing vessels are built. 1876 Arbirlot School is erected. 1876 'History Of Arbroath To The Present Time' by George Hay is published. 1876 Arbikie Fund is founded. 1876 Doctor David Arrot dies. 1876 (-1878) Abbey Church is much altered ('though hardly improved') at a cost of £2,000. 1876 approx (-1881) Shipbuilder J. Rooney operates east of the harbour (now Mackay's site). They will build a total of six vessels, including the Abertay lightship in 1877. 1877 The new wet dock (outer tidal harbour) of the present harbour is opened. During this phase of Harbour reconstruction the foundations of St Mary's (Lady) Chapel, along with some mouldings and part of the adjoining graveyard are revealed but then destroyed in construction work. 1877 (May 17) Crowds gathering on Keptie Hill hoping to see the distant Dundee Law Hill's bonfire in celebration of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee are disappointed. A heavy mist has descended & they see nothing. 1877 (Nov 19) Arbroath Golf Club is founded, the course designed by Open winner Willie Fernie. 1878 (Mar 9) Arbroath Golf Club's 1st match is played at Elliot. 1878 (Jul) Arbroath FC are founded following a meeting at the George Hotel, Commerce Street. The team play on Hospitalfield Estate, opposite the 'Faces', between the sea & the rail line. They win their first official game at Woodville, beating Our Boys, Dundee 3-0 in a Scottish Cup Tie. The team is: W, Schollay, J. Devlin, Cowie (maybe Edwards), J. MILNE, W. Mill, BRUCE (of course), ALEXANDER, W. Steele, R. Meffan, D. Salmond & J. Scott. The scorers are in big capital letters ! 1878 The Royal Hotel opens in High Street. 1878 (Aug 5) St Thomas Roman Catholic School opens at 2 Dishlandtown Street. 1878 Nolt Loan Water Supply begins to be piped to private dwelling houses. 1878 21,187 tons of coal is received into Arbroath's port this year. 1878 The Evangelical Union Church opens. 1878 Abbey Bowling Club is founded. 1879 (Mar 17) Capt. Patrick Wright Anderson, coal merchant & owner of five schooners including the 'Hawk' which have plied the Baltic trading routes, dies at his home in Marketgate & is buried within the Western Cemetery. 1879 An enlarged edition of David Carnegie's 'Lays & Lyrics from the Factory' is published, containing most of his poems. 1879 Frasers are employing 20 people. 1879 (Nov 13) St. Margaret's Chapel of Ease (which will later become Arbroath West Kirk) & designed by Mr T S Robertson of Dundee, opens on Keptie Street. The construction cost is approximately 5,000 pounds & the Church's 1st Sunday service takes place on the 16th of that month, St. Margaret's Day. 1879 (Dec 28) Winds of gale force 10 - 11 demolish the central navigation spans of the Tay Rail Bridge. A six carriage train and 75 people are lost to the River Tay. The bridge has been the longest yet built worldwide.