RAVENGLASS, Cumberland - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"RAVENGLASS, a small seaport and market town in the parish of Muncaster, ward of Allerdale-above-Derwent, county Cumberland, 56 miles S.W. of Carlisle. It is a station on the Whitehaven and Furness junction railway. It is situated on the shore of the Irish Channel, near the estuary of the rivers Eske, Mite, and Irt, which here falling into the sea form a safe and commodious harbour. The town consists mainly of one large range of houses, facing the sea, and is sheltered from the N.E. winds by the Black Combe mountains. In the vicinity are limekilns, and there are shipbuilding yards where boats and small vessels are constructed. The trade is inconsiderable, consisting chiefly of the importation of coal from Whitehaven, and the export of oysters, corn, and timber. The oyster trade employs a considerable number of vessels. There is an endowed National school. The principal residence is Muncaster Castle, about a mile from the town, the seat of Lord Muncaster, a lineal descendant of the Pennington, who have held the manor since the Norman conquest. On the opposite bank of the river Eske is the "old city of Barnscar", the origin of which is traditionally ascribed to the Danes, but of its history no records exist. The city was defended by a wall, and was intersected by one long street and several transverse ones. On a rugged eminence, called Hard Knot, in which the river Eske has its source, are the ruins of an ancient church and castle, also the remains of a round tower on one of the adjacent mounds. Many relics of antiquity, consisting of flint battle-axes and arrow-heads, and Roman and Saxon coins, have been found here. Market day is on Wednesday. Fairs are held on 8th June and 5th August for horses, cattle, and yarn."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]