Carlisle Patriot, 19 Jun 1824 - Aquatic Festival (1)
Petra Mitchinson
Saturday 19 Jun 1824 (p. 3, col. 4-5)
AQUATIC FESTIVAL.
The smack Carlisle, Capt. Wm. GEDDES, arrived at Bowness from Liverpool yesterday week. She is a fine new vessel of 81 tons per register, 100 tons burthen, built for the New Carlisle Shipping Company; and being the first expressly constructed for the Canal trade, (from Carlisle to Liverpool,) the owners determined to celebrate her arrival with more than ordinary observance.
Accordingly, Monday was the day fixed on for her entrance into the still waters of our inland navigation. Cards of invitation were most liberally sent out on Saturday; and a great number of persons looked forward to a trip to the mouth of the Canal with very lively anticipation: others, whose experience in shipping matters was not of a very tar-like nature, were in some doubt as to the prudence of the expedition: colds, they justly argued, are very dangerous things; and then the chance of sea-sickness!
The aspect of Monday morning, however, was very unpromising: the long-expected rain came in good earnest, and threw a damp over the venturous spirit which the occasion had called into existence: the habitual cold-catchers maintained their positions at the chimney corner to a man; while the fresh water sailors heard the wind and the pelting of the pitiless storm with utter dismay.
But there were many whom neither wind nor weather could deter from lending a hand in bringing the Carlisle up to Carlisle: for these various descriptions of vehicles were put in requisition, and off they went for Bowness in the midst of the rain. Had the weather been favourable, the Canal Committee would have proceeded to Fisher's Cross in their boat.
By one o'clock, a great number of persons had assembled on board the vessel, where abundance of good cheer and a band of music awaited them. Mr. ANDREW, one of the owners, presided in the cabin. John BROWN acted as butler with accustomed diligence and skill; and at the word of command he liberally handed round cold beef, porter, ale, and excellent cold punch.
As soon as the tide served, the Carlisle was passed through the first lock into the Canal, but with so much difficulty, on account of the very strong easterly gale which prevailed, that it was in vain to attempt the passage to the basin, though four fine strong horses had been provided to drag her onwards. Hopes, however, were entertained that the weather might moderate towards evening, and that she might be got at least as far as Burgh or Beaumont. Meantime, as the cabin afforded accommodation for scarcely a tithe of the company on board, the whole adjourned to PEAT's, at the Binnacle: Mr. ANDREW was again called to the presidency; the band played their most sprightly airs in an adjoining room; and the grog went around—that is to say, there was enough for all; plenty of mirth and hilarity; hospitality of the real old English order; but all within compass.
Among the toasts given from the chair, were,
'King George the Fourth:' 4 times 4: tune, God save the King.
'The Duke of York and the rest of the Royal Family:' 3 times 3: tune, Hail Star of Brunswick.
'The Lord Lieutenant of the County of Cumberland:' 3—3; tune, Up and waur them a' Willie.
'The Members for the City of Carlisle:' 3—3: tune, Sic a gang in our town.
'The Members for the County of Cumberland:' 3—3: tune, Ye Gentlemen of England.
'The Carlisle Canal Committee:' 3—3: tune, Britons united the world may defy. The chairman expressed his strong regret that the state of the weather prevented the committee from carrying into effect their intention of sailing down to the entrance of the Canal.
'The Mayor and Corporation of the City of Carlisle:' 3—3: tune, We're a' fine fellows.
'The Town and Trade of Carlisle:' 3—3: tune, The Land we live in.
'The British Navy:' Rule Britannia.
'The Army:' Duke of York's march.
'The Collector, Comptroller, and Surveyor of the Port of Carlisle:' 3 times 3: tune, Farewell to whiskey. The Collector returned thanks. Mr. LAWSON also expressed his anxiety to assist in every possible way the New Shipping Company, and all other Companies trading to the port.
'The Cumberland Lasses:' 3—3: Here's a health to all good Lasses.
The health of "the Owners of the smack Carlisle" having been proposed by one of the company in a neat speech, and drank with three times three truly hearty cheers, Mr. ANDREW returned thanks in the name of the New Shipping Company, who, he said, were very proud that so many friends had assembled around them, in spite of the very unfavourable weather. This they considered no small compliment; and he assured his hearers, that, whatever might be the inconveniences of the day, there was no want of welcome. The Carlisle was the first vessel launched that had been built expressly for the Liverpool trade by the Canal. The New Shipping Company had felt pleasure in naming her after the ancient city; he trusted that she would be succeeded by many more; and he hoped, too, that ere long she would not only sail to Carlisle, but penetrate to the ocean on the east coast by way of Newcastle. (Great applause.)
'Success to the Carlisle Canal, and may it be speedily extended to Newcastle:' 3—3, and very loud applause. Tune, The meeting of the waters.
'The strangers who have honoured us with their company this day:' 3—3: tune, Friend and a Bottle. Mr. WALDIE returned thanks, and proposed the health of the worthy chairman, which was drank with loud cheering. The health of various individuals present followed: the Agriculture and Commerce of the County; the Land we live in, &c.
Having spent a few hours very comfortably, the company (upwards of sixty in number) again repaired on board the vessel; and it being now found totally impracticable even to start, on account of the circumstance of the storm, some, with the musicians, retired to Bowness for the night; some slept on board; and the remainder bent their course homewards. Every thing passed off with the greatest mirth and good-humour: there was abundance of enjoyment, but, the occasion considered, no excess of any kind.
[to be continued]