[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 15 Mar 1823 - The Canal (1)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 15 Mar 1823   (p. 2, col. 4-5 and p. 3, col. 1-2)

 

THE CANAL. 

 

The opening of the Carlisle Canal on Wednesday last, was one of those events which claim a conspicuous station in local history. It
is highly important whether considered with reference to its probable commercial advantages, or an unequivocal testimony of the
public spirit of our ancient City. 

 

The day was looked forward to with great anxiety by all classes of people. Much was expected; but we may venture to assert that the
imagination of the most sanguine had failed to depict any thing equal to the reality. There was nothing wanting to render the
gratification complete-the weather was delightful. 

 

At eight o'clock, the Committee breakfasted at the Bush, and a musical band played a variety of favourite airs in front of the inn.
Soon after nine, the Committee proceeded in carriages to the village of Burgh, about five miles from Carlisle, where eleven
sea-going vessels, and several small craft (freighted with coals, peat, &c.) had arrived in the course of the day previous. The
vessels were highly decorated with flags. At an early hour a great number of spectators had assembled on this spot from all parts of
the surrounding district; many hundreds from Carlisle alone. 

 

The departure of the Committee was a signal to the inhabitants of the City to bear their part in the business of the day. Nearly all
the shops were shut up, and every house poured its quota to the immense masses which before mid-day had congregated around the
Basin, or crowded the banks of the Canal nearly all the way to Burgh. The Committee had judiciously opened two floors of their very
spacious warehouse, near the Basin, for the accommodation of such ladies and gentlemen as chose to avail themselves of it. No less
than one thousand persons were admitted by tickets, and regaled with wine and cake. 

 

A short time after ten, the Robert Burns, belonging to Messrs. J. M. HEAD & Son, having on board the Committee, and a large party of
ladies and gentlemen, began to move onwards for Carlisle, and about eleven had passed the locks at Beaumont; the other vessels
followed in succession. About half-past eleven, the whole of Messrs. DIXON's work-people arrived in Carlisle from Warwick-Bridge,
preceded by two flags and a band of music, belonging to the Friendly Society of that place. They formed themselves in a column
opposite the Bush Inn; and after a short halt, marched to the Canal, and joined the vessels near Beaumont, where the band was taken
on board the Irishman. 

 

At Knockupworth, the vessels were saluted and cheered by a numerous party, with drum and fife, and several flags belonging to the
City guilds. 

 

As the fleet proceeded, in gay and gallant trim-decked out in all the pride of marine ornament, and crowded with beauty-the masts
and rigging completely covered with adventurous temporary jack-tars in long coats-guns were fired at intervals on board each of the
vessels, and the spectators on shore loudly greeted. 

 

The Board of Ordnance very readily acceded to the request of a loan of cannon, and men to work them. Two 6-pounder field pieces were
stationed on a slight eminence near the Basin. The flag was also hoisted at the Castle flag-staff, as on public occasions. Another
flag decorated the warehouse roof. 

 

About ten minutes before three, the first vessel, the Robert Burns, belonging to Messrs. J. M. HEAD & Son, entered the Basin,
preceded by a band of music in an open boat, amid a royal salute (21 guns) and the cheers of the surrounding thousands, and the
enlivening strains of Hearts of Oak, Rule Britannia, and God Save the King. Then followed the Irishman, belonging to Messrs. Robt.
FERGUSON & Sons; the Menai, the property of Messrs. HEAD & Son; the Crown, belonging to the Carlisle Shipping Company; the Miss
Douglas, of Carlisle; the John, of Carlisle; the Nancy, of Carlisle; the Henry Brougham, of Annan; the Sarah, of Carlisle; the
Rosina, of Carlisle; the Mary, of Liverpool. These vessels average about 60 tons register. The coal and peat boats brought up the
rear. As soon as the last vessel had entered the Basin, another royal salute was fired from the Castle. 

 

The vessels which attracted most attention, were the Robert Burns and the Irishman. They were really beautiful objects. 

 

The number of people assembled on this joyous occasion may be estimated, without danger of overstepping the truth, at upwards of
20,000. Mr. FERRIER, the Canal Sub-Engineer, calculates it at 26,400, founding his estimate upon actual survey. 

 

The conduct of the populace was particularly orderly and praiseworthy in every respect. Their readiness to accommodate and oblige
each other, was the subject of general remark among those on board the vessels: there was not the least confusion throughout. We
have heard it said, that they were tame, apathetic-that they did not heartily cheer and throw up their caps. The fact is, we
believe, that they were too much gratified to be boisterous. The scene was so new, so unexpected, that it astonished. Some could
hardly credit the evidence of their senses, when they saw so many sea-going vessels sailing along a track where, till lately, they
were in the habit of beholding corn in ear, or grazing cattle. An old man, ninety-seven years of age, resident in Caldewgate, on
hearing that ships had come to Primrose Bank, declared that nothing but seeing them would be sufficient to induce him to believe the
fact: and he was on Thursday actually carried by two friends to the Basin, where he was obliged to resign his incredu- [sic] to the
reality. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

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