Figurehead, "The Herding Neb", Seascale, Cumberland (1956)
[Quotation] Soon after passing the Seascale Station by the railway, we observe upon our right, and close upon the sea-shore, an antique-looking ale house, situate on the promontory of Herding Neb. The signboard is surmounted by the figure-head of a vessel, probably one which has been cast up on the beach; and the place has altogether the appearance of having been one of great utility, in the times when contraband trading prevailed in this district, which it undoubtedly did to a very great extent along the whole coast of Cumberland. We have heard, that at one time ardent spirits were as plentifully supplied at the boards of many of the farmers hereabouts as small beer is now-a-days. We can very well fancy, that many a midnight run has been made upon this very beach, and that this retired hostelry has frequently furnished a shelter to the daring band, who were in waiting, to remove the cargo to a place of concealment — well known to the faithful few — where it might be safe from the prying eyes of the exciseman. [End of quotation]
Source: A Handbook of the Whitehaven and Furness Railway, by John Linton, 1852. Thanks to Google Books for making this text available.
Figurehead, "The Herding Neb", Seascale, Cumberland (1956)
[Quotation] Soon after passing the Seascale Station by the railway, we observe upon our right, and close upon the sea-shore, an antique-looking ale house, situate on the promontory of Herding Neb. The signboard is surmounted by the figure-head of a vessel, probably one which has been cast up on the beach; and the place has altogether the appearance of having been one of great utility, in the times when contraband trading prevailed in this district, which it undoubtedly did to a very great extent along the whole coast of Cumberland. We have heard, that at one time ardent spirits were as plentifully supplied at the boards of many of the farmers hereabouts as small beer is now-a-days. We can very well fancy, that many a midnight run has been made upon this very beach, and that this retired hostelry has frequently furnished a shelter to the daring band, who were in waiting, to remove the cargo to a place of concealment — well known to the faithful few — where it might be safe from the prying eyes of the exciseman. [End of quotation]
Source: A Handbook of the Whitehaven and Furness Railway, by John Linton, 1852. Thanks to Google Books for making this text available.