The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-24 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL REGATTA

The regatta, which had been announced for some weeks,
came off on Tuesday last ; and, we are glad to say, the sports
were much more interesting, and consequently more gratify-
ing, than those of any former occasion since the institution
of aquatic contests on the Mersey. The great value of seve-
ral of the prizes, together with the anticipation of a fine
" meeting," and the honours attached to a generous rivalry
in the manly sciences of yacht-sailing and boat-rowing,
brought to the arena a large number of amateurs with their
" craft," from various sea-ports in England and Ireland
longer celebrated than Liverpool, from their peculiar adapt-
ation for such diversions. These gentlemen—from London,
Cork, Cove, Dublin, Hull, &c.,—have, of course, had much
more practice than those of our own town ; and, as they
consequently carried off some of the principal prizes, it is
but justice to remind our readers of this fact in the outset,
and to add that, even though in some instances vanquished,
our young aspirants, who had boldly entered the lists against
almost fearful odds, cheerfully conceded the palm of victory
to the successful strangers, whom they entertained with the
greatest hospitality, and with whom they have parted with
feelings of the utmost cordiality and respect,—determined to
persevere in their exertions, in the assurance that they were
not so far beaten but that they may " live to win another
day."

The day, though cloudy in the morning, was exceedingly
propitious, with a line breeze from the north-west, which
gave the yachts an opportunity of displaying their sailing
powers, and, the regatta being on a windward shore, did not
produce a seaway formidable to the row-boats, so that every
race came off with eclat, and without the slightest accident.
At an early hour the town and the opposite shore gave indi-
cation of the coming sports, and a warm interest, notwith-
standing some former disappointments, owing to the state of
the weather and other circumstances, was excited to witness
them, amongst thousands of both sexes, and of all grades and
ages, on both sides of the Mersey. -Many strangers from
distant parts of the country also hastened to the scene of
action ; schools, too, were let loose, and the enlivenment was
that of a sort of general holyday. The scene at the quays,
on the Cheshire side, and on all intermediate parts of the
river, was unusually animated. We do not remember to
have seen a greater number of vessels in the Mersey. From
the Rock to the quarantine hulks, and even above them, the
water was studded with vessels of all sizes, at anchor, or under
sail or steam; and the greater number, as well as these in the
docks, were decorated with flags, and presented a very gay
appearance. Many extra ferry steam-boats were employed
to convey passengers across, and their decks presented dense
masses of well-dressed individuals. Others of a larger size
were put in requisition by parties scarcely less numerous,
to witness the sports without landing, and anchored close to
the "course," at the Monk's Ferry, or moved up and down
on temporary excursions during the intermissions between
the races. Vast numbers of sailing and row boats were simi-
larly employed ; barges, and even canoes and punts were
brought out. Amongst other fine boats was the St. George,
of Warrington, rowed with eight oars. She was gallantly
manned, dashed along in beautiful style, and altogether
looked one of the moot "spicy" boats on the river. Never
before was the breast of old Mersey furrowed by so many
thousand keels. The accumulation of vessels of all kinds,
between Woodside and Birkenhead, became at last so great,
that in those under way there was some difficulty, and we
may add, some danger, in so steering as to avoid contact.
Great good humour, however, prevailed, and mutual accom-
modation being afforded, nothing beyond an occasional
friendly jostle took place.
There were several beautiful large sailing and steam ships
in the river, all of which, in compliment to the occasion, ex-
hibited their brightest bunting. Flags of all nations, and
signal-flags of every possible colour or conceit, floated in the
breeze. Amongst them, the President steam-ship, in the
Sloyne, was conspicuous, from her size and fine man-of-war-
like appearance, and drew from thousands frequent exclama-
tions of surprise and admiration. The government steam-
ships, and others near them, were also objects of interest ;
the constant movements of vessels and boats passing to and
fro in every direction gave a continual variety to the scene,
and the shouts, cheers, and laughter, and firing of cannon,
that incessantly fell upon the ear, served to keep up the
general enthusiasm.

The Cheshire shore, particularly between Woodside and
Birkenhead Point, was lined by dense masses of spectators.
The wide, rocky shore between Monk's Ferry and Birken-
head presented one continuous mass, and the margin of the
beautiful field above, which is skirted by oak trees, was peo-
pled by a scarcely smaller multitude, amongst whom were
many ladies and gentlemen of the first respectability. From
this sloping field a very gratifying view of the river, the town,
and the sports was obtained. Here, tents were erected,
similar to those at races, and the gingerbread, ginger-beer,
and fruit stands were numerous. Young children and youths,
in their Sunday attire, rolled delighted on the grass, or
perched on the branches of the tress, while the " children of
an elder growth" seated themselves in groups, or promenaded
on the ample green carpet which nature had spread out before
them. Some also, who had joined in a pic-nic, or brought
an ample family stock of provisions, and wherewith to wash
them down, enjoyed themselves in a substantial and merry
manner; and what with racing, feats of strength, and other
sports, the whole became a sort of fete champetre. Amongst
the fruit vended on the occasion the black cherries were
abundant, and treacherously told on the mouths of the
youngsters who had expended their coppers in purchasing
theta. We saw, indeed, many black mouths, but, as the
best of humour prevailed, no black eyes, saving and except
those piercing black luminaries of the Lancashire and Che-
shire witches, who trod the sward in elegant attire. It might
have been said of each of those now sylvan nymphs—

- •
" A foot more light, a step more true,
Ne'er from the heathbell dash'd the dew."

Various games, as at fairs and races, were provided on the
shore, and also in the neighbouring roads and lanes. Amongst
the humbler classes the throwing the stick, and the shooting
with cross-bow for nuts, was the most prevalent. There was
some gambling going on here and there, but none, that came
under our notice, to any considerable extent.

The hotel at Eirkenlead was crowded to excess. Every
window had its fair occupants. The fine tea-gardens and
pleasure grounds were also crowded with parties, bent on a
day of pleasure, nor were they disappointed.
We should here remark that the Mersey is not the most
favourable river or estuary for a regatta, inasmuch as from
no one point on its banks can a boat race be distinctly seen
to any great distance, and even with the aid of the telescope,
a good deal of uncertainty arises as to the respective positions
of the rowing boats, from a period shortly after their depar-
ture until they are again in sight in coming home—the course
being necessarily nearly direct up the river, and back parallel
with the shore. From this circumstance it is impossible to
describe the various vicissitudes of each contest throughout.
The enjoyment of the occasion, however, does not depend
entirely on the view of the races, but in the general accom-
panying amusements ; in fine, in the " out,' the diversions
on shore, and the amalgamation of parties.
The committee of the regatta had engaged the Monks'
Ferry Hotel for the accommodation of themselves and the
subscribers and their friends, who were admitted to the rooms
and the green in front. The " flag-ship," or starting-boat
for the rowing matches, (a Liverpool pilot-boat,) was sta
tioned off the pier, and this was also the " winning-post."
She was decorated with flags, and fired a gun at the com-
mencement and conclusion of each race. Five rooms in
front of the hotel (which is a beautiful building with a fine
colonnade) were appropriated as refreshment-rooms. Each
of these afforded a view of the river, in addition to an equally
attractive sight to most of the guests—tables loaded with
substantials and delicacies, served in Mr. and Mrs. Hilliar's
accustomed style of neatness and profusion, and which might
be characterised as a continuous feast, partaken of through
the day by about 400 individuals. The green, or parterre,
in front of the hotel, which is a considerable height from the
water, and walled in in a manner somewhat resembling a
battery, afforded a delightful view of the regatta.. Here con-
gregated the committee, the subscribers, and their female
friends, for whom garden-seats were provided, though the
greater part preferred strolling about on the velvet sward. On
the quay below, Mr. Jolliff's excellent and powerful band, in
military uniform, was stationed, and played many national
airs and choice pieces throughout the day. The windows of
this noble hotel were also crowded with spectators, princi-
pally elegantly-dressed ladies. The view of the Mersey, on
whose bosom floated thousands of vessels, and of Liverpool,
with its shipping ornamented with flags, as seen from this.
point, was truly magnificent.

On a table under the colonnade were exhibited the several
articles of plate to be given as prizes. The prize for the win-
ner in the large yacht contest was a splendid tureen of the
value of £75. It was beautifully chased; the handles were
dolphin-shaped, and the lid was surmounted by the Liver-
pool Arms, most beautifully executed. The Mersey cup was
also very elegant. The value was £5O. Another piece of
plate, value £4O, was a punch bowl, elegantly chased, and
ornamented with views of Liverpool. To this there was ap-
pended a ladle, with an oar handle. The Victoria cup was
very elegantly executed, and richly embossed and chased in
the Grecian style.

Amongst the various amusements of the day were various
tumblers and jugglers, and not a few of those portable thea-
tres in which Punch and Judy go through their amusing per-
formances. We now proceed to give an account of the sports
of the day.