The Battle of Annaside is a well-known piece of Ravenglass folklore. It took place on 18 August 1838, and the title of this page is the headline from the Cumberland Pacquet of 21 August (exclamation mark and all). Their article is given below, shorn of a few wordy Victorian flourishes ...
The Wilson referred to is the landlord of the Bay Horse (or rather, as other sources indicate, William Wilson, son of the aging owner of the inn, Samuel Wilson). Further evidence of the Wilson family traits can be found here.

"On Saturday last, early in the morning, a most sanguinary conflict took place at Annaside, near Bootle, between the inhabitants of that hitherto peaceful village and the crews of three vessels, assisted by a number of persons from Ravenglass, under the command of a leader named Wilson, who is an innkeeper in the latter place, and who, like 'the hot-brained Buckingham' seems to glory in a battle." ...
"The conflict above alluded to, however, arose from an attempt made by the sailors of three vessels and their companions attempting to load their ships with stones from the beach, which the inhabitants of Annaside were determined to prevent for reasons which they very properly assigned. It appears that in consequence of the frequent removal of stones along the coast the sea has of late years made great irruptions, and destroyed and washed away considerable property; on account of which new roads have been to cut at considerable expence of the parish. These have also been destroyed by the sea, and others have been made to supply their places. All this, we are informed, has arisen in consequence of the continual practice which has long prevailed of removing the stones which formed a kind of natural barrier to the ocean; or, at least, in a great measure protected the land from being encroached upon by the sea.
Matters had gone on in this way for a length of time, till the inhabitants of Annaside began to think that they had tolerated the encroachment long enough, particularly as they were becoming heavy sufferers through their own neglect. They therefore at once determined upon asserting their rights and defending their property against all such intrusions in future." ...
"In spite of repeated remonstrances and cautions from persons having land adjoining the coast, Wilson, the Bonniface of a village inn, and the leader of the forces against the inabitants of Annaside, had been accustomed to load vessels bound for Runcorn or Liverpool, totally regardless of the injury that he was doing by persevering in such a practice; and what was worse, on his part, he treated with great insolence and contempt the expostulations and reasonings of those whom he was injuring by his conduct, thus, as it were, adding insult to injury.
Having removed all the stones from a part called Stub Place, Wilson attempted, on Friday last, to load three vessels from the beach at Annaside. The inhabitants at first mildly attempted to expostulate with him on the injury he was doing them; but it appears all reason was lost upon him; he was resolved to load the vessels, and proceeded to do so in defiance of the villagers, who presently came to the determination that he should not take the stones in their presence, and began to prevent him. A rencontre immediately took place, in which the aggressors were presently put to the route, and compelled to retreat to their ships. The next morning, however, at an early hour, Wilson effected a landing, and having greatly increased his forces by a strong acquisition of both sexes, he again showed fight, and was ready to dispute the mastership of the beach. On this occasion Wilson himself was armed with a huge pump handle, and his followers with spars and bludgeons. On seeing this, the heroic villagers rushed to arms, and in a short time about thirty-six stout and dauntless men from Whitbeck and Bootle marched to the beach, each armed with a good sprig of oak in his hand, and a heart of the same stern material in his breast. The villagers went to work in the true Waterloo style, and drove every thing before them. The sailors, however, rallied and fought manfully, whilst the women poured forth vollies of stones from the outposts, which did great execution, besides the noise they made! In the heat of the conflict, whilst victory was hovering over the heads of the belligerents, as if doubtful whether party she should light upon, Wilson signalled himself by a desparate attempt to give a finisher to Mr Parker with his formidable weapon- the pump handle aforesaid; but this circumstance attracted notice, and his sconce was made to crack again by the repeated blows inflicted upon it by the oaken weapons of his antagonists. It is seldom that the battle is prolonged after the defeat of a leader; but though not of long duration, the contest was bitter and severe. happily we have not to number the slain; but men were to be seen at the close of the combat lying in all directions with broken heads and bruised bodies; one man had his leg fractured, and numbers on both sides were so severely injured that they had to be conveyed home, and are yet confined to their beds- some of them, it is asserted, are in a dangerous state.
The yeomen finally effected their purpose, and drove the enemy under their ships, when they were assailed by a dreadful shower sf stones by some females and cowards on board. The villagers, however, stood staunch, with the exception of a few who thought with Hudibras that 'He who fights and runs away, may live to fight another day,' accordingly they retired from the scene of action.
The language of the females, we are told, was of a most disgusting and revolting description, and shocked every one who heard them. They would, as our informant observes, all have been much better employed had they been at home mending their stockings.
The assailants did not again venture from the vessels, but finally sheered off to Ravenglass as soon as the tide permitted, without having put as many stones on board as would serve them for ballast. It was said that the assailants threatened at some future day to try the result of another battle; but woe be to them should they be fool-hardy enough to attempt it! Thus ended an affray which like many others, ought never to have begun." ... "However let us not be misunderstood: the plunderers deserved a good beating as a summary mode of punishment, because they had been made acquainted with the consequences of the illegal traffic in which they were engaged; but if, to use a familiar term, they are worth powder and shot, they ought yet to be made to feel the iron hand of the law."
[No further reports in the paper over the next fortnight]