and after stormy weather, is often crowded with ships of various
nations, in addition to those registered at the place--this being the
port for the whole island.

There are spacious dockyards, patent slips, &c., both at East and West
Cowes: at the latter, excellent dry docks. The naval builders have long
held a high reputation for skill: several men-of-war were built here
during the last century; and of late years numerous beautiful
pleasure-yachts, merchantmen, sloops of war, and other vessels--including
the _Medina_, a first-rate steam-ship (lost on the West India passage),
and some large steamers for various foreign governments.

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THE ROYAL-YACHT-SQUADRON

Make Cowes their port of rendezvous: they contribute largely to the
maritime gaiety of the place, and give particular classes of
tradesmen an extensive share of employment; but the town altogether
does not, it is said, derive that degree of fostering patronage
from their presence which might be expected. The _Royal Thames
Yacht-club_ often make this their summer-station.

THE REGATTA

Generally takes place in August, and is an exciting source of
hilarity with the inhabitants of Cowes, as well as numerous
visitors from every part of the island and opposite coast,--should
the weather prove favorable at the time. The sailing-matches are
now mostly confined to the members of the Royal Yacht-squadrons:
and it is to be regretted, that owing to the distance which they
sail, and the number of days engaged, comparatively little pleasure
is afforded to the mere spectator: there is however usually one
day's continued amusement--when sailing and rowing matches for
liberal subscription-prizes likewise take place between the local
watermen, &c.--excellent bands of music attend,--and in the evening
there is a brilliant display of fire-works, both from the shore and
from the yachts in various parts of the harbour. On these occasions
the appearance of the whole is animated beyond description; and to
a person from the country, the exhibition of such a numerous
assemblage of the most beautiful vessels in the world must prove a
lively gratification, for they are of every size and variety of
rig, from the stately ship of 4 or 500 tons burthen down to the
yawl of only 10.

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