19th March 1898

After final checks the five Pharaoh class digs left for Egypt last week in conditions of utmost secrecy.

In an exclusive, this paper has been allowed to place a reporter on board the Seti who will be sending reports from the ports at which the digs dock.

In Broomes yard, work continues apace on the gunboats and torpedo boats for the Khedive and the keel has been laid for the Queen class Battleship.

In a separate announcement Broomes has confirmed that it has won the contract for the War Balloons for  the Khedive, but has sub-contracted the work to Richardsons.

The trial of Arnold Erricson III revealed that Erricson had been seen driving around Great Yarmouth on his steam powered penny farthing. This machine has now been impounded by the Borough Police and is being examined by engineers from a firm in the Midlands.

Meanwhile the jury has heard evidence from the Police that Erricson had a large Bank account at Swallows Bank in Great Yarmouth and he had withdrawn £500 in cash on the 1st March.

Nearly £2000 was paid into the account by a Bank in Malta.

Arnold Erricson III on his steam powered penny farthing.