Cowes,

Cowes, a seaport and watering-place in the north corner of the Isle of Wight, 11½ miles SSE. of Southampton by water, and 4 N. of Newport by rail. It consists of West and East Cowes, lying on opposite sides of the mouth of the estuary of the Medina, and connected by steam-ferry. Standing on a hill-slope, West Cowes has a striking aspect from the sea, and is the seat of much trade, being the chief port of the island, and the headquarters of the Royal Yacht Club (1815), whose regattas are held here. Their club-house was originally a fort, built by Henry VIII. in 1540. Yacht-building is the great speciality of Cowes, which has a fine promenade (1864), excellent hotels, baths, villas, lodging-houses, &c. Slatwoods at East Cowes was the birthplace of Dr Arnold, and in the vicinity are East Cowes Castle (1798), Norris Castle (1799), and Osborne House (1845). The last, built by Cubitt as a marine residence for Queen Victoria, is an Italian edifice, with a flag-tower 112 feet high, and beautiful grounds. Pop. of West Cowes (1851) 4786, (1881) 6772, (1891) 7768; of East Cowes (1861) 1954, (1881) 2615, (1891) 2880.