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Cowes (West) in Southampton County England History and GeographyCOWES (WEST), a sea-port and chapelry in the northern division of the parish of NORTHWOOD, WEST MEDINA liberty, Isle of Wight division of the county of SOUTHAMPTON, 4½ miles (N.) from Newport, and 86 (S.W.) from London. The population is returned with the parish. This place owes its origin to the erection of a small castle on the western bank of the river Medina, which commands the entrance of the harbour: this fortress, which was built in the reign of Henry VIII., is a small edifice with a semicircular battery mounting eleven pieces of heavy ordnance, and contains accommodation for a captain and a company of artillery. From the excellence of the harbour, in which ships may find shelter in stormy weather, and from which they may sail out either to the east or west, as the wind may serve, Cowes has become a populous and flourishing town; and, from its advantageous situation for ship-building, a private dock-yard has been established in which several men of war have been built for the royal navy. The town is pleasantly and romantically situated on the declivity of an eminence rising from the mouth of the river Medina, by which it is separated from East Cowes. The streets are narrow, and the houses in general inelegant, but, rising above each other from the margin of the river to the summit of the acclivity on which they are built, they have a pleasing and picturesque appearance from the opposite bank, and are seen with peculiar advantage from the sea, of which they command interesting and extensive views. The excellence of its beach, the pleasantness of its situation, and the salubrity of the air, have rendered it a fashionable place for sea-bathing, for which purpose several respectable lodging-houses have been erected for the accommodation of visitors, and numerous bathing-machines are ranged on the beach, to the west of the castle: the environs abound with elegant mansions and marine villas, the grounds being laid out with exquisite taste. In addition to the amusements which the town affords, there are frequent opportunities for aquatic excursions. The Yachtclub, consisting of His Majesty and about sixty noblemen and gentlemen, established here for many years, celebrate their annual regatta, generally in August or September, on which occasion more than two hundred yachts and other vessels are assembled, forming a spectacle truly splendid and magnificent. An extensive trade is carried on in provisions and other articles for the supply of the shipping: the principal exports of the island are wheat, flour, malt, barley, wool, and salt, large quantities of which are shipped for France, Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean shores. The number of vessels belonging to this port in 1828 was one hundred and forty-seven, averaging thirty-four tous' burden; in 1826, nine British and four foreign vessels entered inwards from foreign ports, and nine British and two foreign vessels cleared outwards. Packets sail daily from the port to Southampton and Portsmouth, and passage boats to Newport and Ryde. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Winchester, endowed with £400 private benefaction, £400 royal bounty, and £1400 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of the Vicar of Carisbrooke. The chapel, erected in 1657, and consecrated in 1662, is on the summit of the hill on which the town is situated. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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