shipping increased "His Majesty's boatmen" were stationed on Piel as harbour pilots and customs inspectors. In formal terms, it was a creek (outstation) of the port of Lancaster, and known as Piel Foudray. The impact of industry was relatively low on the appearance of the island, however, and in the 19th century the ruins of the castle became a major attraction to the romanticist art movement. The island was painted in 1805 by Sir George Beaumont, a painting which inspired William Wordsworth's Elegiac Stanzas, based also on his own time living at Rampside with a view out to Piel. The ownership of Piel Island eventually descended to the Duke of Buccleuch. The 5th Duke heavily developed industry around Furness, and in 1875 had the fishermen's cottages built on the island. The 7th Duke later donated the island to the people of Barrow-in-Furness in 1920 as a World War I memorial. Modern-day Piel Island Being separated from neighbouring Roa Island by the Piel Channel, the island is accessible via a ferryboat from Roa Island pier during summer weekends. Piel can be reached on foot or by off-road vehicle (licenses are required to drive on the sands) from Walney Island, but this route is only passable with care at low tide; local guidance is recommended. Piel Castle is managed by English Heritage and there is free, unlimited access once on the island. The castle, located on the southeast tip of Piel Island, is an impressive ruin made up largely of stones from the beach. The three-storey keep affords good views of the island although it is no longer accessible to visitors. Campers may pitch a tent on the island. The island is a haven for wildlife with many different species of sea bird to be found. Visitors should take care not to disturb nesting birds while walking on the beach. A marsh pond in the centre of the island now attracts many other types of bird. The Ship Inn The Ship Inn pub provides sustenance for sailors, fishermen and day-trippers to the island. The landlord is known as 'The King of Piel', a title instituted in the 19th century and harking back to Lambert Simnel and his attempt to usurp the English throne. A tradition handed down by fishermen for centuries is the 'Knighthood of Piel'. In a room of the inn is a large oak chair and anyone who sits in