Life in Cornwall in the Early Nineteenth Century

The following are extracts from "The West Briton" newspapers from 1810 to 1835. They are taken from a book "Life in Cornwall in the early Nineteenth Century" selected and edited by R.M.Barton. Dyllansow Truran 1997 ISBN 1 85022 112X

TO PACKETS-MEN

It having been represented to me by Edward Angove, Esq., the Mayor,

and the other respectable inhabitants of this port, that the packets'-men

are desirous of returning to their duty, upon the assurance of their being
received and protected on board their respective ships, I do therefore,
hereby, give this public notice, that they shall be so received and protected,
provided they return to their duty on or before Friday next, the 2nd of
November, by twelve o'clock at noon, on that day, with the exception of
the undermentioned persons, who cannot, on any account be admitted
into the service of their Lordships His Majesty's Postmaster-General,
namely,—Ezekiel Williams, Joseph Cane, George Wells, William Rand-
tree, William Blackwell and John Parker. 2 November 1810

 

THE PRESS GANG IN FALMOUTH

Whilst Col. Burgess, the officers, etc. of the Pendennis Local Artillery Militia were at dinner, after the inspection of the corps on Tuesday last; some verses composed by the Laureat of Cornwall, on the occasion, were handed to the colonel, who was about to read them to his company, when he was interrupted by a bustle in consequence of one of the regiment having been impressed, and that too though he was in regimentals, by the gang at Falmouth. He is now on board the Experiment receiving ship at that port. This we scruple not to call an almost unprecedented outrage;—these poor fellows must repair to the place of training where they are summoned, or they are to be treated as deserters, and when they arrive there, they are liable to be torn from their families by the impress service. 5June 1812

 

FALMOUTH PACKET'S EPIC FIGHT

On several occasions, during the present war, the Falmouth packets have been distinguished, by beating off vessels of superior force to them­ selves, and on some occasions, capturing the assailants. We have this day to record an action, which, in point of gallantry, has not been exceeded we believe, in any instance during the war, though the issue was not as fortunate as that of some others.

The Townshend packet, Captain Cock, which sailed from Falmouth for Jamaica in October last, on the 23rd November, whilst in sight of Barba- does, fell in with two American privateers, by which she was soon brought to close action. Captain Cock and his gallant crew, with four passengers, sustained the unequal conflict with the greatest gallantry for two hours and a half, during which time the crews of the privateers made several attempts to board, but were beaten off with considerable loss. At length the packet having five feet of water in her hold; the main-mast ready to fall over the side; the bowsprit and fore-top-mast gone; the master killed and ten of the crew and three of the passengers wounded, there being besides no prospect of the vessel continuing to swim, Capt. Cock reluctantly struck his colours.

The privateers finding that it would be impossible to keep the packet afloat, plundered her of everything valuable, and then gave her up to the captain and his crew, in order that they might proceed to Barbadoes, into which island they succeeded in carrying her, and where the remains of the master, Mr. Sedgmond, were interred with military honours.

5 February 1813

TURTLES FOR SALE AT FALMOUTH

To be sold, a few very fine turtle, now lying on board the ship Apollo, Captain Atkin, just arrived from New Providence. Price 35. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per pound. For further information, apply to the captain on board in Carrack-Road or to Richard Came and Son, merchants, Falmouth.

16 July 1813

ENGLAND'S FINEST HARBOUR

The West Indian fleet, &c. amounting in the whole to nearly 300 sail, left Falmouth on Sunday last, after having rode out all the late heavy gales, with scarcely any damage', a thing unprecedented in any other port in Great Britain. The whole fleet got out without the smallest incident.

30 December 1814

SEAMEN'S HOSPITAL AT FALMOUTH

We are informed that the Merchant Seamen's Committee at Falmouth,
have it in contemplation to purchase a part of the materials of the tem­
porary barracks [a war-time establishment, including a hospital], at
Pendennis garrison, for the purpose of erecting a Merchant Seamen's
Hospital for that port. 24 April 1818

FUMIGATING THE 'PRINCE ERNEST PACKET

On Wednesday morning last, whilst four men were employed in fumi­ gating the Prince Ernest packet, at Falmouth, with squibs (after the removal of the corpse of Lady Powerscourt), a spark of fire accidentally communicated with the magazine, which was incautiously left open, and in which was about 50 lbs. of gunpowder, which instantly exploded, blowing the deck and cabin, from the mainmast to the stern, to atoms, and shivering the mainmast. One man has his thigh and collar-bone broken, and another had his head severely cut by the accident. The damage the packet has sustained is estimated at from £700 to £800.

9 June 1820

CONVICTS BOUND FOR AUSTRALIA

The Lady East, now lying in Falmouth harbour, has on board 210 convicts bound for New South Wales. A number of these ruffians, formed the project of overpowering the crew, liberating their fellows, and after running the vessel on shore, making their escape. On Wednesday night, about 40 of the most desperate contrived to saw off their irons, and made towards the place where the arms are deposited. Fortunately, the watch heard the bustle they made and gave an alarm and the villains were pre­ vented from executing their purpose, and secured. The discovery was made most opportunely; for a few minutes more would have put them in possession of arms, when there is no doubt they would have butchered the whole crew. The ringleaders were flogged on Thursday, and every pre­ caution has been taken to guard against a similar attempt.

17 December 1824

PIGEON POST TO FALMOUTH

Some gentlemen at Falmouth have trained a carrier pigeon, for the
purpose of carrying there, every evening, the state of the poll during the
county election. The bird has hitherto performed the journey in about
two hours. The distance is 32 miles. 13 May 1831

FALMOUTH MAKES PREPARATIONS

The Falmouth magistrates and Board of Health are taking active
measures to meet the threatened danger arising from the appearance of
the cholera in nearly all the ports from which vessels arrive coastwise; the
lanes and alleys have been examined and nuisances removed; the streets
are washed daily by means of fire-engines, and every other precaution
that prudence suggests has been taken. 27 July 1832

THE FIDDLER'S STAYS

Last week, an old blind woman named Ann Beales died of the cholera at Falmouth. When she was taken ill she manifested great anxiety about her stays, and in the progress of her illness, when it became highly prob­able she could not recover, she stated that in the stays she had concealed several Bank of England notes, and that she had hidden money in different parts of the room which she described. At her death, her relatives examined the stays, &c. when the statement of the old woman was found to be correct—rumour states that several hundred pounds were found, but the exact amount is not known. The deceased got her living by playing the fiddle at public-houses for the amusement of sailors, &c. and it is under­stood the money she has left was acquired in this way during the late war.

25 October 1833