[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Journal, 29 Jan 1814 - Severe Weather

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 29 Jan 1814   (p. 3, col. 3)

 

THE LATE SEVERE WEATHER. 

 

After continuing with greater severity than has been known for many years past, the frost began to break on Monday night, and the
thaw, in a very gentle manner, has continued,-so as to do away with the apprehensions which might be entertained from the
consequences of a rapid and sudden thaw. 

 

A gentleman, who was upon the spot, informs us, that on Monday last, the 24th inst. he witnessed on the Solway Frith, a singular
phenomenon, not remembered by the oldest person-viz:-The Channel, from the English side to Scotland, was a complete body of ice,
without any opening even for a boat to pass, resembling in appearance a vast plain, covered with rugged frozen snow. It extended as
far to the Westward as below Workington, and presented a most singular aspect. 

 

Upon this subject, our Maryport Correspondent also writes us as follows:-"The Solway Frith and Channel towards the Isle of Man, for
the whole of last week, presented a phenomenon never before witnessed by the oldest inhabitant. While the tide was making all to the
northward of Workington, it seemed like a large plain covered with hillocks of snow, and, on the ebbing of the tide, this scene was
exhibited till the eye met the horizon. On Monday last, the revenue boat, stationed at Whitehaven, made an attempt to visit
Maryport, to which place it got within about a mile, when it was enveloped among innumerable lumps of ice, some of which were from 7
to 10 feet in thickness. The boat was obliged to return to Whitehaven. The oldest seamen say they never saw such a field of ice (as
they term it) but in high northern latitudes, or on the banks of Newfoundland." 

 

The postman who goes between Penrith and Alston, it is feared, has been lost in the snow, as he has not been heard of since Tuesday
evening, at which time he was seen at the village of Gamblesby, about half way from Penrith. He had two horses with him, which
likewise have not been heard of. 

 

A few days ago, a bat was found adhering to the inner ledge of Stramondgate bridge, Kendal, and a few evenings after another bat was
seen flying over the same bridge. This seems a singular and rare occurence [sic] in so rigorous a season; as it is well known that,
in a moderate degree of cold, bats remain in a torpid state all winter. However, it is said to have been lately discovered by an
eminent naturalist, that when bats are secreted in a situation much exposed to the weather, an extreme degree of' cold has the power
of enlivening them from a state of torpidity. They then fly about in search of a place of retreat, more sheltered from the severity
of the frost; and no doubt but the cold was the occasion arousing those above noticed. 

 

In Ireland, the effects of the storm have been experienced with still greater rigour than in this country. The intercourse with that
country, by the northern road, is still suspended; no mails from Portpatrick having reached Carlisle for some weeks. 

 

 

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