Old Cumbria Gazetteer - Derwent Water: regatta 1781


	Derwent Water: regatta 1781
site name:-	Derwent Water
civil parish:-	Keswick (formerly Cumberland)
county:-	Cumbria
locality type:-	regatta
locality type:-	recreation
1Km square:-	NY2620 (etc)
10Km square:-	NY22

evidence:-	old text:- Clarke 1787 item:- boat; rowing boat; gun; echoes; fireworks
source data:-	Guide book, A Survey of the Lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, written and published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland, and in London etc, 1787; published 1787-93. goto source Page 64:- "..." "On the side of this hill [Crow Park] the spectators of the Regatta are placed, (I mean such as are not in boats, or at the fort upon Pocklington's Island for its defence,) also the marquees and tents. This is an amusement only lately introduced; the first was at Bassenthwaite-Water on the 24th August 1780, of which in its place. The first at Keswick was the 28th August 1781; of this I shall give Mr Ware's account, which has been much admired, as I did not attend it myself." "He says, "At eight o'clock in the morning, a vast concourse of ladies and gentlemen appeared on the side of the Derwent Lake, where a number of marquees, extending about 400 yards, were erected for their accommodation. At twelve, such of the company as were invited by Mr Pocklington passed over in boats to the island which bears his name; and on their landing were saluted by a discharge of his artillery, (which are one nine pounder and five four pounders.) This might properly be called the opening of the Regatta; for as soon as the echo of this discharge had ceased, a signal gun was fired, and five boats which lay upon their oars, (on that part of the water which runs nearest the town of Keswick,) instantly pushed off the shore and began the race. W view from any of the attendant boats, (of which there were several,) presented a scene which beggars all description. The sides of the hoary mountains were clad with spectators, and the glassy surface of the Lake was variegated with numbers of pleasure barges, which, tricked out in all the gayest colours, and glittering in the rays of the meridian sun, gave a new appearance to the celebrated beauties of this matchless vale." ""The contending boats passed Pocklington's Island, and rounding St Herbert's and Rampsholme, edged down by the outside Lord's Island; describing in the race almost a perfect circle, and, during the greatest part of it, in full view of the company." ""About three o'clock preparations were made for the sham-attack on Pocklington's Island. The fleet, (consisting of several barges, armed with small cannon and musquets,) retired out of view, behind Friar-Cragg, to prepare for action; previous to which a flag of truce was sent to the governor, with a summons to surrender upon honourable terms. A defiance was returned; soon after which the fleet was seen advancing with great spirit before the batteries, and instantly forming in a curved line, a terrible cannonading began on both sides, accompanied with a dreadful discharge of musquetry. This continued for some time, and being echoed from hill to hill in an amazing variety of sounds, filled the ear with whatever could produce astonishment and awe. All nature seemed to be in an uproar; which impressed on the awakened imagination the most lively ideas of the "war of elements," and "crush of worlds." After a severe conflict, the enemies were driven from the attack in great disorder. A feu-de-joye was then fired in the fort, and oft repeated by the responsive echoes. The fleet, after a little delay, formed again; and practising a variety of beautiful manoeuvres, renewed the attack. Uproar again sprung up, and the deep-toned echoes of the mountains again joined in solemn chorus; which was heard, to the distance of ten leagues to leeward, through the easterly opening of that vast amphitheatre, as far as Appleby."
source data:-	goto source Page 65:- ""The garrison at last capitulated; and the entertainment of the water being finished, (towards the evening,) the company moved to Keswick; to which place, from the water's edge, a range of lamps was fixed, very happily disposed, and a number of fireworks displayed off. An Assembly-room, (which was built for the purpose,) next received the Ladies and Gentlemen, and a dance concluded the annual festivity. A chain of amusements, which we may venture to assert no other place can possibly furnish, and which wants only to be more universally known, to render it a place of more general resort than any in the kingdom."" "By those whom Nature's works alone can charm, this sport will at all times be viewed with rapture and astonishment. But no breast, however insusceptible of pleasure, can be indifferent to that display of every beauty which decks the romantic vale of Keswick on a Regatta-day: and, as he justly says: "when the attack begins" all nature seems in an uproar; for on every side of you the rebellowings of the mountains are heard, stand where you will in the valley. Had the poet who described the battle of the Gods seen a Regatta-day at Keswick, it would have much enriched his muse for that subject." "It is discovered that the report of a gun is re-echoed eight or nine times: hence the reader may very well imagine the terrible noise among the surrounding rocks, and the different sounds caused by that of firing a nine pounder, a musquet, and a four pounder. There are likewise small brass guns on swivels, sent hither by his Grace the Duke of Portland, placed on the barges, for the entertainment and amusement of travellers."

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