[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 15 Mar 1823 - The Canal (2)

[Petra Mitchinson]

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

 

THE CANAL. 

 

[continued] 

 

The vessels at each extreme of the Basin, the Robert Burns and the Rosina, were decorated with a flag of the first pattern of
silk-and-cotton gingham, made in Carlisle. It is about twenty years since that the article of gingham was first manufactured here by
Messrs. John HEWSON and Sons; and now, it is calculated, nearly as many people are employed on that fabric in the County, as the sum
total of the inhabitants of the City. 

 

The solitary mishap of the day was a subject of mirth rather than sadness, even to the sufferer. A gentleman of Carlisle, in
attempting to get on board the Irishman, fell into the water, and had a taste of early spring bathing against his will. 

 

A gun burst on board the Menai, but injured no one. 

 

In passing through the streets, about three o'clock, the town seemed completely deserted: scarcely a living soul was seen. In Court,
the audience was almost wholly confined to his Lordship, the Counsel, and the Jury. At this time, the cathedral bells were ringing a
peal in honour of the occasion, we presume; but their melancholy sound would have been quite as appropriate if intended as a knell
for the departed city. The intention, however, was good; and heaven forefend that we should wantonly turn mirth into mourning on so
auspicious a day. 

 

Soon after four o'clock, about 160 share-holders and visitors sat down to an excellent dinner, at the Bush Inn. There were two
tables the whole length of the new assembly-room; and three side-tables, which also extended from one end to the other, with the
exception of the two entrances. Dr. BLAMIRE presided at the first table; Richard FERGUSON, Esq., at the second; vice-chairmen, Mr.
John DIXON, and Mr. William HALTON. Mr. PEARSON was at the head of the third table; Mr. PENNY (steward to J. D. B. DYKES, Esq.)
presided at the fourth. Among the strangers, we observed the High Sheriff, Quintin BLACKBURN, Esq., &c. Sir Philip MUSGRAVE would
have been present had not a very particular engagement required his instant absence from Cumberland. The accommodation, the viands,
the wines, were alike excellent. The band took their station in the music-gallery, and serenaded the company during the repast. 

 

The cloth having been withdrawn, the chairman gave 'The King.' Then followed 'The Duke of York and the rest of the Royal Family;'
'The Army;' 'The Navy.' 

 

[Toasts and speeches, extending over several columns, not transcribed.] 

 

A few other toasts followed, when a considerable portion of the company retired; some of the gentlemen, however, kept their seats an
hour longer. We have never witnessed a more harmonious meeting: unanimity was the order of the day. 

 

There was a ball at night, at the Coffee-House; ninety ladies and gentlemen honoured it with their presence. 

 

In the evening, Messrs. DIXON & Sons opened ten public houses, at which every man in their employment, who chose, was allowed ale
and bread-and-cheese to the amount of 2s. Mr. SLATER, of the New Mill, gave each of his workmen 1s., and the women 6d each. Messrs.
J. R. & J. FERGUSON also gave their weavers 1s. each; the warpers and warehousemen dined at the Crown, in Botchergate; the females
had a tea-party. Mr. Paul NIXSON also treated the people in his employment. 

 

Carlisle is thus converted into a sea-port, well situated for an extensive coasting trade, for Irish commerce, and even for foreign
voyages. In fact, some of the vessels now in the Basin are sufficient sea-boats for a voyage to the West Indies, or the European
coasts. 

 

The length of the Canal is about eleven miles; it joins the Solway Frith exactly at the spot where the Roman Wall terminated, near
the village of Bowness. Dimensions of the locks: extreme length over all 72ft. 6in.; extreme width 18ft. 8in.; depth of water 8ft.
6in. There are nine feet of water into the sea lock at the lowest neap tides. 

 

The busy scene on Thursday and yesterday, at the Basin, was scarcely less surprising or gratifying than the ceremony of Wednesday. A
quiet and tranquil spot was transformed, in the course of a few hours, into a bustling commercial port; perhaps not less than one
hundred horses were busily employed in unloading and loading vessels. 

 

The articles imported were—cotton, linens, salt, sugar, wine and spirits, dye-woods, copperas, cheese, soap, oranges, oil, coals,
peats, stone, paper, staves, bar-iron. 

 

The convenience for loading and unloading the vessels, at the side of the Basin, has met with the warmest approbation of the masters
and owners. 

 

Coals of good quality, full measure, are now selling at 3½d per Carlisle peck, at the Basin. When the canal was commenced three
years ago, the same quantity of a similar article sold for 6½d. 

 

The Henry Brougham, a fine sloop, discharged a cargo of cotton from Liverpool, took in a cargo of Barley, and again sailed yesterday
morning, at eight, for Glasgow. 

 

An Allonby boat took in a cargo of coals at that place on Wednesday morning; made her passage to Fisher's Cross, entered the Canal,
and came into the Basin about an hour after the grand entry—a remarkable instance of dispatch. 

 

On Thursday a sloop arrived with a cargo of coals from Maryport. 

 

It was yesterday highly pleasing to see the poor people supplying themselves with coal and peats. The latter is allowed by the
purchasers, as well as the coals, to be only half the usual retail price.

 

 

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