a large seaport and market town in the parish of St Bees and ward of Allerdale, on the west coast of the county of Cumberland. It is situated at the upper end of a small creek of the Irish Sea, and comprises a number of handsome straight wide streets, which intersect each other at right angles, and are well paved, and lighted with gas. The town has advanced to its present state of prosperity from being, in 1566, a small place, containing six fishermen's huts. For this progress it is indebted to the family of Killigrew, and more particularly to their suc- cessors the Lowthers, who, having large estates around the town, and valuable possessions of coal underneath it, have liberally come forward, when opportunities occurred, to pro- mote its prosperity. There are three churches, and various places of worship belonging to dissenters. The institu- tions for educational purposes are numerous, and educate more than 1700 children. There are also an infirmary, a fever hospital, a dispensary, and a house of industry. The public buildings, including a theatre and news-room, are well adapted for the instruction and amusement of the inhabitants, as well as for the business of the port. Its harbour is spacious and commodious, having seven piers extending into the sea in different directions, and affording ample security to the shipping. There is at- tached to the harbour a patent slip, erected at the expense of Lord Lonsdale. There are two light-houses at the en- trance of the harbour, and a third is situated on the pro- montory of St Bees' Head, three miles to the south-west. The commerce of this port is very extensive; the principal export articles being coal, iron and lead ore, grain, and lime. The chief manufactures are coarse linens, and articles connected with the fitting out of vessels. The town con- tains iron and brass founderies, and breweries. The coal- works are, next to those of Newcastle and Sunderland, the most important in the kingdom, and are the principal source of wealth to the town. There are five principal shafts or entrances to the mines, called Bearmouths, three on the north and two on the south side of the town. They are 320 yards in depth, and extend to a considerable distance under the sea; and such vast quantities have been excavated that the mines have the appearance of a subterranean city. In 1837 the quantity of coals shipped from this port amounted to 405,593 tons, and in 1838 to 389,188 tons, exclusive of the cinders and culm. The net amount of customs-duties, after deducting all expenses, paid into the treasury, was, in 1837, £95,895, and in 1838, £97,300. There are upwards of 450 vessels belonging this port, engaged in the American, West Indian, Baltic, and coasting trade. Steam-vessels sail regularly to Liverpool, Carlisle, Dublin, the Isle of Man, Annan, Dumfries, Wigton, and Kirkcudbright. The town and port are governed by trustees appointed by the trading community and Lord Lonsdale. Whitehaven returns a member to parliament. The population in 1821 amounted to 12,438, and in 1831 to 11,393.