Mersea Regatta July 26 1838.
There will be Sailing Matches By vessels belonging to Mersea and Tollesbury not exceed 12 Tons burthen, nor set more than Mainsail, Foresail, and Jib; after which will be
Rowing Matches
Duck Hunt,
Mud Races, and other Aquatic and Land Sports
A Band of Music will in in attendance on Shore
The signal for Starting will be given at One o'clock
Boats may be entered and Particulars obtained at the White Hart, West Mersea. A Cold Collation at 3s per head will be provided in a large Marquee erected on the shore near West Mersea Church.

From The First Regattas by Hervey Benham in the 1980 West Mersea Town Regatta Programme. This was the first advertisement he was able to find for the Regatta - it is from the files of the Essex Standard.
Date: 26 July 1838