[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 05 Jun 1824 - Whitehaven New Harbour

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 05 Jun 1824   (p. 3, col. 2)

 

WHITEHAVEN NEW HARBOUR. 

(From the Whitehaven papers.) 

 

On Saturday last the first stone of the new Pier for extending Whitehaven Harbour was laid, about 6 o'clock in the evening, in the
presence of between nine and ten thousand spectators. The oldest inhabitant can remember no parallel to the interest which this
event excited, and the consequent crowds that attended to witness its consummation. Far as the eye could reach, in every direction
that commanded a view of the spot, or was likely to afford the least glimpse of the ceremony going forward, was occupied long before
the hour appointed for the commencement of the proceedings of the day. On the South side, the sea-brows presented an appearance the
most animating; every "jutting fringe and coigne of 'vantage"-the green knoll that shoots its verdant and cooling front to the
seaward breeze, and the brown, bare, and fearful rock, that nods o'er the beach in awful majesty, were each peopled with a
multitudinous throng of human beings that, from a distance, appeared like an undulating portion of the ground whereon they stood.
The parapet of the New Quay was literally covered; every inch of the scaffolding erected on the spot where the work has commenced,
was occupied, and many of those who had crowded to this place held their footing by so frail a tenure, that the eye almost shrunk
from contemplating their fearful situation; several well-filled boats rowed up as close to the scene of action as the tide would
admit, and the flags which they hoisted added considerably to the effect of the enlivening scene. One boat from Parton was
particularly distinguished for the neatness of its trim, and the promptitude with which it answered the discharges of cannon from
the fort. 

 

Colours were hoisted at all the usual places in the town, and nearly all the ships in the harbour displayed their flags during the
whole day. About 5 o'clock the staff of the Royal Cumberland Militia, commanded by Captain BENNETT, with colours flying, and
accompanied by a band of music, proceeded to Somerset-house where the Trustees of the Harbour had assembled, and in about half an
hour afterwards the procession moved off towards the New Quay, in the following order:- 

 

The Staff of the Cumberland Militia. 

Music. 

Trustees of the Harbour, four a-breast. 

Gentlemen of the Town. 

Scholars of the Marine School (wearing oak leaves in their hats.) 

Gentlemen of the Town. 

Police Officers. 

 

On arriving at the New Quay, the soldiers formed upon the scaffolding, across which planks had been laid for the accommodation of
spectators; from the parapet of the quay to the sand, temporary steps were laid; and a few feet from where the stone was to be
placed a platform was erected for the use of the Trustees and their friends. The workmen were busily engaged in scooping out of the
foundation stone, on which the first stone was to rest, a small bed for the reception of a casket containing a specimen of each of
the various coins now in circulation, and a plate having the names of the Trustees of the Harbour and the date of the present
ceremony engraved upon it.* The whole were enclosed in a lead case, which Mr. TEBAY having soldered up, Miss Catherine JEFFERSON,
who was standing upon the platform, was requested by several of the Trustees to deposit it in that bed where we hope it will rest
undisturbed for ages: this she did in a manner the the [sic] most graceful and becoming. The place was then covered with cement, and
all being ready, the workmen on the top of the Quay commenced lowering the stone, Mr. PEILE descending upon it, to show the
confidence he had in the machinery: the music played, and the spectators joined in giving three hearty cheers. The stone descended
slowly and steadily; and after a short delay was adjusted to its place. Mr. PEILE, attired in the habilimets [sic] of freemasonry,
then went through the ceremony of trying it with the square, level, &c. and having with a small trowel and some cement put the
finishing stroke to it, the Rev. A. HUDLESTON was requested to offer up a prayer for the success of the undertaking, which he did in
nearly the following words:- 

 

May that Almighty Being whom the winds and the sea obey, bless the undertaking in which we are at present engaged; and through the
care and protection of his general and superintending Providence, cause it to redound to the safety of our vessels, the extension
and improvement of our trade, and the general prosperity and happiness of the town of Whitehaven and its neighbourhood." 

 

There was now immense cheering in all directions; the guns of the fort fired, and were answered by the militia on the Quay, and by
the Parton and other boats lying alongside. The effect was truly grand; the animating scene presented on every side, the deafening
shouts raised by such a mass of people, added to the clang of the bugle, drum, and "ear-piercing fife," and the louder bellowings of
those 

"Mortal engines, whose rude throats 

The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit," 

altogether raised emotions, at once of delight and astonishment. 

 

After the ceremony, the gentlemen proceeded to the Golden Lion, where the Cumberland staff was dismissed by Captain BENNETT, and the
party spent the evening with the greatest hilarity: John HARRISON, Esq., in the chair. The numerous assemblage of work people who
attended on this happy occasion were not forgotten. Ten barrels of strong ale were given to the labourers, who were soon as happy as
their betters could possibly be, and we rejoice to say that their harmony was not disturbed by any civil wars occasioned by the
capricious government of that king of good fellows-Sir John Barleycorn. 

 

The day was remarkably fine throughout, and notwithstanding the number of people present, we have not heard of any accident;-and,
indeed, the whole proceeding was conducted with great order and decorum. Thousands of those who witnessed the interesting ceremony
will consider the event an era in their lives. 

 

This event, so interesting to the community of Whitehaven and its vicinity, was celebrated on Monday, by a very numerous party of
gentlemen who dined together at the Black Lion-Milham HARTLEY, Esq. in the chair. It is unnecessary to say, that the entertainment
provided on this festive occasion was of the choicest description, as it is well known that good dinners and excellent wines are
always associated with the name of Mr. JACKSON. After having drunk the health of our illustrious Sovereign, the worthy chairman rose
and premised a very appropriate speech, by observing that "he was not an orator, and therefore would not detain them long; but as
the undertaking which had occasioned their meeting together was one of great importance to the town and trade of Whitehaven, it was
necessary for him to say a few words on the subject-particularly as it was one on which some diversity of opinion had been
expressed. The necessity of an extended pier had been long felt, and had consequently engaged much of the attention of the trustees.
A RENNIE and a WHIDBEY were sent for, and these gentlemen were of opinion that it was necessary to extend the pier on the south-west
side of the harbour so as to procure a greater depth of water for the convenience of the shipping. This plan was generally approved
of by the Trustees and the Committee, and he was happy to say that he perfectly coincided with them. He was convinced that the
undertaking was one of the greatest importance to the town and trade of Whitehaven. Upon a moderate calculation, it would require
six or seven years to complete the work; and as the operative mechanics who had to execute it, would have many a long and strong
pull, he hoped that the present meeting would assist their endeavours by a long and strong pull also." He concluded by calling upon
the meeting to drink success to the New West Pier, which was accordingly drank with three times three. 

 

A great variety of other toasts were drank, and the evening passed off most joyously. The band of the Cumberland militia, assisted
by the band of Mr. POWELL's company of equestrians, attended and played national and appropriate airs during the entertainment. 

 

Every possible accommodation has been granted by the Earl of Lonsdale, to facilitate the work, and Mr. PEILE (his Lordship's agent)
has uniformly manifested the utmost diligence in promoting the great object. 

 

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* The following is a copy of the inscription:- 

WHITEHAVEN HARBOUR. 

New West Pier. 

FIRST STONE LAID 29th May, 1824. 

v. Geo. IV. 

 

On the reverse, the names of the Trustees. Wm. Earl of Lonsdale, K. G., Wm. Lord Viscount LOWTHER, Thomas HARTLEY, Esq., Milham
HARTLEY, Esq., John LITTLEDALE, Esq., Joseph BELL, Esq., Henry BIRLEY, Esq., John HARRISON, Esq., Mr. Isaac LITTLEDALE, Mr. Henry
JEFFERSON, Mr. Joseph ROBINSON, Mr. John BROCKLEBANK, sen., Mr. Joseph WATSON, Mr. Wm. BOWES, Mr. William FISHER, Mr. Richard
BARKER, Mr. William MILLER, Mr. Thomas MANLEY, Mr. Edward JOHNSTON, jun., Mr. Peter HODGSON, Mr. John PEILE. 

 

 

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