Boating Part 20

No one but an Etonian could possibly understand the anomalous condition of things which made the river out of bounds, though no boy was really prevented from going on it unless he was caught on the way by a master and actually sent back. The fact was that, when on the river, the boy was safe from interference. Once only did a headmaster attempt to stop an eight which he heard was to row up to Surly; this was Dr. Keate, and he was so finely hoaxed that he never even made a second attempt.

Hearing that an eight was to go out on a certain day, he threatened to expel anyone who should take part in the expedition, and then went for a walk along the towpath to waylay them. There issued from the Brocas a crew of watermen dressed like the Eton eight, and wearing masks over their faces. Crowds of people followed to see what would happen. Keate caught them between the Hopes and shouted, 'Foolish boys, I know you all. Lord ----, I know you. A----, you had better come ash.o.r.e. Come here or you will all be expelled.' The boat however pursued its course, several of the masters followed on horseback, and the ruse was not discovered until the crew disembarked and took off their masks with a loud 'Hurrah!' Keate was furious, and vowed that there should be no Easter holidays unless the boys who had been hooting him behind hedges gave themselves up, and some twenty victims were accordingly swished.

As a matter of fact the river was permitted from March 1 till Easter holidays for long boats, and from Easter till Midsummer for boats of all kinds. In going to or from the river a boy had to shirk a master by getting into a shop out of his sight. The masters avoided going along the river when rowing was practised; they ignored, or pretended to ignore, the procession of boats on June 4 and Election Sat.u.r.day, and winked at the Fireworks and the boys being late for lock-up on those days. On June 4, 1822, Dr. Keate sent for the captain of the boats and said to him, 'The boys are often very noisy on this evening and late for lock-up. You know I know nothing! But I hear you are in a position of authority. I hope you will not be late to-night, and do your best to prevent disorder. Lock-up time will be twenty minutes later than usual: it is your customary privilege.'

On March 1, 1860, the captain of the boats went boldly up to Dr.

Goodford and requested that the 'boats' (or boys who belonged to the eight-oared boats) might be allowed to go to the Brocas without shirking, and somewhat to his surprise the Doctor gave his consent. In the following half shirking was abolished in Eton for all the school.

There is however one important condition on which a boy may boat: he must 'pa.s.s' in swimming. When the authorities ignored the boating, boys who could not swim daily risked their lives, and casualties sometimes occurred. It was in 1840 that C. F. Montagu was drowned near Windsor Bridge, and such an effect had this calamity, that the masters thenceforth ordained that boating should be formally recognised, and that no boy should be allowed to get into a boat until he had pa.s.sed an examination in swimming. One or two masters were appointed river masters. Bathing-places were made at Athens, Upper Hope, and Cuckoo Weir, and the eighth and sixth form were allowed to bathe in Boveney Weir. No boy might bathe at any place but Cuckoo Weir until he had pa.s.sed. Watermen were engaged to teach swimming, and be ready with their punts at bathing-places and elsewhere to watch the boys on the river, to prevent accidents and report unlawful acts. Bathing is permitted as soon after the Easter holidays as weather is warm enough, and two days a week the river masters attend at Cuckoo Weir for 'Pa.s.sing.' This examination (so much pleasanter than any other) is conducted as follows: a number of boys whom the waterman thinks proficient enough appear undressed in a punt. A pole is stuck up in the water (which is out of depth at the place) about thirty yards off; the master stands on a high place called Acropolis, and as he calls the name, each in turn takes a header and swims round the pole once or twice. He must not only be able to take a header and swim the distance, but must also swim in approved form so as to be capable of swimming in his clothes. Since 'pa.s.sing' was established there has been only one boy drowned, though many are swamped under all kinds of circ.u.mstances. A boy who has not pa.s.sed belongs to the cla.s.s called 'non nant.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: OFF THE BROCAS.]

The Thames at Eton has changed somewhat from what it was in the 'old times.' Boveney and Bray Locks were made in 1839, and before that the river was much more rapid, and there was no sandbank at Lower Hope. At the weir below Windsor Bridge the fall of water was not so great as it is now, and many a boy used to amuse himself in the dangerous adventure of shooting the weir in a skiff or funny.

Although boating was formally recognised by the masters in 1840, it is a fact that the first race honoured by the presence of a headmaster was the Sculling Sweepstakes in 1847, when Dr. Hawtrey was rowed in a boat to see the racing by two undermasters, the Rev. H. Dupuis and Mr. Evans.

From time immemorial there was a ten-oar and several eight and six-oared boats, with regular crews, captains and steerers. In the early state of things a waterman always rowed stroke and drilled or coached the crew, and this practice was continued with some of the eights till 1828, and after that the captain of each crew rowed the stroke oar. The crews had to subscribe for the waterman's pay, his beer, and clothes. The best remembered watermen were Jack Hall, 'Paddle' Brads, Piper, Jack Haverley, Tom Cannon and Fish. There were upper boats manned by sixth and fifth form boys, and lower boats originally with six oars for lower boys. A lower boy could not get into the upper boats however well he might row. From more recent times no lower boy can get into the 'boats'

at all, but must content himself with his own lock-up skiff, gig, or outrigger. We should explain here that a lock-up means a boat which a boy, for himself or jointly with a friend, hires for the summer half and keeps exclusively. The boat-builders also allow other boats (not lock-ups) to be used indiscriminately on payment of a less sum, which are called 'chance boats.' Boys in the 'boats' generally also have a lock-up or outrigger of their own, or jointly with others.

The ten-oar was always called the 'Monarch,' and is the head boat in all processions. The captain of the boats rows stroke of the 'Monarch,' and until 1830 the second captain rowed nine. After that date the second captain became captain of the second boat. The boats themselves bore certain names. In the early lists (none exist earlier than 1824) the 'Britannia' was the second boat, and in that year there were five upper boats, 'Hibernia,' 'Etonian,' and 'Nelson' being the other three. And the lower boats with six oars were the 'Defiance,' 'Rivals,' and 'Victory.' The following year there were only three upper boats, which has remained the custom till this day, except in 1832, when there was a fourth upper boat called the 'Adelaide.' The 'Victory' has always been the second boat since 1834. And the favourite names of other boats whose places have changed in different years are the 'Rivals,' 'Prince of Wales,' 'Trafalgar,' 'Prince George,' 'Thetis,' and 'Dreadnought.' There has never been any difficulty in getting crews for the one ten-oar and seven eight-oared boats, and in fact the names put down usually have exceeded the number of vacancies. In 1869 an additional boat was put on in consequence of the collegers being allowed to join, and in 1877 the 'Alexandra' was added to the list owing to the increased number of entries. Before 1869 the collegers had fours and sometimes an eight to themselves, but did not join the procession of the boats; and as they did not belong to the oppidan 'boats' they could not row in the eight of the school.[14] But they rowed some successful matches against University men on several occasions. There was never any racing between collegers and oppidans, and the collegers could only race between themselves. Before 1840 they kept their boats at a wharf by the playing fields and had a bathing place there. They used to row down to Datchet and Bells of Ouseley, but from that time were forbidden to go below bridge and were put on the same recognised footing as oppidans.

[14] In 1864, however, Marsden, a colleger, rowed in the eight, though collegers were still excluded from the boats.

As soon as the boys return to school after the Christmas holidays a large card is placed at Saunders' shop, on which those fifth and sixth form who wish to join and are not then in the boats inscribe their names. There is some excitement for a time while the captain of the boats appoints the captain to each boat, which he does usually in the order of 'choices' (a term which is explained hereafter) of the previous year; but sometimes it is thought best to put a high 'choice' or two in the 'Victory' and appoint as captain of some of the lower boats some good fellow who is not likely to get into the eight of the school, in order that when the eight is practising these boats should have the advantage of their captains to take them out. The captain of the lower boats ranks higher than the captain of the third upper boat. The crew of the 'Monarch' (ten-oar) is then selected by the captain of the boats, and he places a high choice as 'nine,' that position being considered about the fifth highest place. His crew is chosen not of the best oars, for they are always placed in the 'Victory' or second boat, but usually of boys high up in the school, and sometimes a good cricketer or two gets a place in the Easter half and leaves it afterwards. The captain of the cricket eleven is almost always formally asked to take an oar in the ten. The second captain then makes up his crew, then the captain of the third upper, and so on. Each captain has to submit his list to the captain of the boats, who advises him on his selection. The steerers are chosen in the same order, and the best steerer (who is also to have the honour of steering the eight of the school) always steers the ten. The crews are always selected on what is known of their merits as good oars, and there is never any preference given to favouritism or rank. When the lists are all made out they are printed and published in the 'Boating Calendar.'

Boating begins on March 1 'after twelve,' unless the weather is excessively bad, or the river unusually high, when it has to be stopped for a few days. It ends practically at the summer holidays. The half from after the summer holidays till Christmas is devoted to football and fives. Before the Easter holidays the long boats only are allowed, but towards the end of that half some fours are allowed by special permission of the river master. We remember a four going out in this half without permission and an attempt being made to row up to Maidenhead when lock-up was at 6.30, but it was swamped in Bray Lock and the crew had to walk or run home; on their way they met the river master, and he gave them all 200 lines to write out, though the day being very cold he might have thought them sufficiently punished by the ducking they had got.

The first day opens with a procession of all the boats to Surly Hall; each crew dressed in flannel shirt and straw hats of different colours, and the name of the boat on the hatband. The last boat starts first, then the others in inverse order to their places, and after rowing a short way they 'easy all' and await the ten-oar, which pursues an uninterrupted course to Boveney Lock, followed by the others in their proper order. All go into the lock together, and then on to Surly Hall, where they land, play games, and perhaps drink a gla.s.s of beer. 'Oars'

are called by the captain after about twenty minutes or half an hour, and all go back in the same processional order. Before locks were built there was always a sort of race from Rushes to Surly, each boat trying to catch and b.u.mp the one before it, and the fun was to try and get the rudders off and have a regular jostle. After 12 there is not time to get further than Surly, but on a half-holiday after 4 several of the boats get to Monkey Island, and occasionally when lock-up was at 6.30 there was time for an eight to row to Maidenhead. The distance from Windsor Bridge to Rushes is 1 mile 6 furlongs, to Boveney Lock 2 miles 1-3/4 furlong, to Surly (about) 3 miles, to Monkey 4 miles 3 furlongs, to Bray Lock 5 miles, to Maidenhead 6 miles.

The usual practice is for the eights to go out occasionally with the captain steering and coaching them, and for long rows to Surly or Monkey. In the summer half there is so much practising for races that the upper boats seldom get a row with their proper crews. The boys who 'wet bob' and are not in the boats row in skiffs, gigs, or outriggers to the bathing-places and to Surly, or paddle about from Brocas to Lower Hope. Canoes, punting, and sailing are not allowed. On June 4 (and formerly on Election Sat.u.r.day) there is a procession in the evening, and the crews wear striped cotton shirts, straw hats lettered, and sailors'

jackets. The steerers are dressed as admirals, captains or midshipmen of the Royal Navy, and have a large bouquet of flowers; we need not further describe the well-known scene. On the three Check nights of old days the upper boats went to Surly in the evening to partake of ducks and green peas, and were joined by the lower boats as they came home all dressed in 4th June costume.

The captain of the boats is the acknowledged 'swell' of the school. He has unlimited power over the boats, managing and controlling all affairs connected with them; as treasurer and secretary he keeps the accounts, and writes a journal of the races and events. No one disputes his authority. No money can be levied without the authority of the headmaster. The changes effected in 1861 in abolishing Check nights and Oppidan dinner were ordered and carried out by him without the least idea that anyone might have objected. He was always asked to play _ex officio_ in the collegers' and oppidans' football match if he was anything of a good football player, and in the cricket match whether he could play cricket or not. He still manages the foot races of the school. It has happened four times that a boy has been captain two years, and his power in his second year is if possible greater than ever.

The eight of the school are the best rowers, whether captains or not, and are alone ent.i.tled to wear white flannel trousers and the light blue coats. Now that the race at Henley is an inst.i.tution they are selected for that event. Before the Radley race of 1858 there was no regular race, and if a casual crew came down to row it was generally without the challenge being given long beforehand, so that no training could take place. The last race of the season was upper eights, the captain and second captain tossing up for first choice and choosing alternately; the first eight choices were generally the eight, and paper lists were given out afterwards of these choices which ruled the position of the boys who stayed on for the next year.

The earliest school event we hear of was a race against a Christ Church four in 1819, which was won by the Eton four.

An attempt was made in 1820 to have a match against Westminster; the challenge from them was accepted, and an eight chosen, but the authorities forbade it. The first race between the two schools was rowed on July 27, 1829, from Putney Bridge to Hammersmith and back, and was won easily by Eton, and Westminster were beaten at Maidenhead in 1831, at Staines in 1836, and at Putney in 1843 and 1847. Eton were beaten by Westminster at Datchet in 1837, and at Putney in 1842, 1845, and 1846.

From 1847 till 1858 there were races only against scratch crews, and Oxford or Cambridge colleges. In 1858 a match, which was thought a grand event at the time, was rowed on the Henley course against Radley and won by Eton. In 1860, 1861, 1862, and 1864 the Westminster race was revived and was rowed from Putney Bridge to Chiswick Eyot, and Eton was so easily the winner that it has not been thought worth while to continue this match.

In 1860 Mr. Warre came to Eton as an a.s.sistant master, and at the request of the captain of the boats a.s.sisted him to arrange the Westminster race, and engaged to coach the eight. It was with his a.s.sistance that Dr. Goodford was persuaded to allow the eight to go to Henley Regatta in 1861, and the tacit understanding was made that if the authorities would allow this, and also the boating bill by which two long boats might escape six o'clock absence and have time to row to Cliefden, the boats would give up Oppidan dinner and Check nights. Mr.

Warre, with the greatest kindness and with unremitting zeal and energy, first coached the eight for the Westminster races, and then continued coaching for the Henley Regatta evening after evening during their training every year for twenty-four years, until he was appointed headmaster. The Rev. S. A. Donaldson has since undertaken the coaching.

University men at first disliked the appearance of Eton at Henley. Old oarsmen thought it would ruin the regatta, as men would hate to be beaten by boys. Masters predicted that the coaching by a master would spoil the boys, but time has dissipated these objections, and the Regatta has flourished better than ever.

It will be seen that Eton has on several occasions beaten trained college and other crews without winning the plate, and we may fairly say that her place on the river is about equal to that of the best colleges.

After all, the boys are boys of seventeen and eighteen, and if they are not as strong or heavy as men a year or two older, they have the advantage of practically always being in training, are easily got together, and are living a regular and active life.

RESULTS OF HENLEY REGATTA.

----+--------------+-------------------+-------------------+---------- Average Weight Year Race Eton was beaten by Eton beat of Eton crew ----+--------------+-------------------+-------------------+---------- st. lb.

1861 Ladies' Plate Trinity College, Radley 9 12 Oxford 1862 Ladies' Plate University College, Radley 10 7-3/4 Oxford 1863 Ladies' Plate University College, Trinity Hall, 10 7-1/4 Oxford Cambridge; Brasenose, Oxford; 1864 Ladies' Plate Trinity Hall, 10 6-3/4 (winners) Cambridge; Radley 1865 Grand London R. C.; 10 4-1/2 Challenge Third Trinity, Cambridge Ladies' Plate Third Trinity, Radley -- Cambridge (by a foul) 1866 Grand Oxford Etonians; -- Challenge London R.C. Ladies' Plate First Trinity or 10 9-3/4 (winners) Black Prince, Cambridge; Radley 1867 Grand (scratched) Kingston R.C. 10 7 Challenge Ladies' Plate Radley (winners) 1868 Grand London R.C. University College, 10 8 Challenge Oxford; Kingston R.C. Ladies' Plate University College, -- (winners) Oxford; Pembroke College, Cambridge 1869 Grand Oxford Etonians 10 10-3/4 Challenge Ladies' Plate Lady Margaret, -- (winners) Cambridge 1870 Grand London R.C. -- Challenge Ladies' Plate Dublin Trinity 10 9-7/8 (winners) College 1871 Grand Oxford Etonians; Dublin Trinity -- Challenge London R.C. College Oscillators Ladies' Plate Pembroke College, -- Cambridge 1872 Ladies' Plate Jesus College, 10 6 Cambridge 1873 Grand London R.C. Balliol College, 10 9-3/8 Challenge Oxford Ladies' Plate Dublin Trinity -- College 1874 Grand London R. C. First Trinity, 10 7-3/4 Challenge Cambridge; B.N.C., Oxford; Thames R.C. Ladies' Plate First Trinity Radley -- Cambridge 1875 Ladies' Plate Dublin Trinity 10 5-1/4 College 1876 Ladies' Plate Caius College, 10 3-1/4 Cambridge 1877 Ladies' Plate Jesus College, Cheltenham -- Cambridge 1878 Ladies' Plate Jesus College, Cheltenham 10 5-1/4 Cambridge 1879 Ladies' Plate Lady Margaret, Hertford College, 11 0 Cambridge Oxford 1880 Ladies' Plate Trinity Hall, Exeter College, 11 7-1/2 Cambridge Oxford; Caius College, Cambridge 1881 Grand Leander R.C. 11 1-5/8 Challenge Ladies' Plate First Trinity, -- Cambridge 1882 Ladies' Plate Trinity Hall, 11 10-1/4 (winners) Cambridge; Radley 1883 Ladies Plate Christ Church, Radley 11 0 Oxford 1884 Ladies' Plate Caius College, 11 5-1/4 (winners) Cambridge; Radley 1885 Ladies' Plate Oriel College, 11 5-1/4 (winners) Oxford; Corpus College, Oxford 1886 Ladies' Plate Pembroke College, Radley; Bedford 10 12-1/4 Cambridge 1887 Ladies' Plate Trinity Hall, Hertford College, 11 1-3/4 Cambridge Oxford ----+--------------+-------------------+-------------------+----------

The eight are permitted during training below bridge at Datchet. Of the races at the school in old times, upper sixes was the great event. It was rowed from Brocas up to Surly and back before the lock was made, and in after times round Rushes. All races were rowed round a turning point, and there was more or less b.u.mping. There were no rules of racing then, and b.u.mping or jostling, knocking off a rudder, and foul play of any kind was part of the fun; the only object was to get in first anyhow.

There was a match in 1817 between a four of Mr. Carter's house and four watermen which caused great excitement, and was unexpectedly won by the boys. Two sides of college, and dames and tutors, were annual events, but were done away with in 1870. Tutors had won thirteen, and dames the same number of races. There used to be an annual punting race, but punting was forbidden after 1851. One of the masters used to give a prize for tub-sculling, in which about 100 or more started and afforded great amus.e.m.e.nt. This was before outrigged sculling and pair-oared boats were much used, and since they became fashionable there have been junior pairs and junior sculling. House fours as a regular inst.i.tution was begun in 1857, when the Challenge cup was procured by means of a school subscription. In 1876 trial eights were first rowed, and the race took place in the Easter half. There are challenge prizes for the house fours and for the sculling and pulling, as the pair-oar outrigger race is called. The number of races had to be curtailed owing to the time taken to train the eight for Henley. The four and eight-oared races start from Rushes, and are rowed down stream; total distance 1 mile 6 furlongs. The pulling and sculling races start from Brocas and go round a ryepack at Rushes and back, a distance of 3 miles 4 furlongs. The winning point is always Windsor Bridge. The Brocas is the name given to the field between the railway and the boathouses, and is so called from the family of Brocas, who used to own the property. The times vary so much with the state of the river that little comparison can be made between the merits of individual oarsmen or scullers. It takes about 7-1/2 minutes for an eight to row down from Rushes with a fair stream, and about 8 minutes 20 seconds for a four. A good sculler can get round Rushes and back in about 20 to 21 minutes. Pair-oared rowing without c.o.xswains was introduced in 1863, and a good pair now wins in 19 to 20 minutes. Fours still continue to carry c.o.xswains.

The boats themselves that are used are very different now from what they were forty years ago. Up to 1839 they were still built of oak (a very heavy wood), and measured fifty-two feet in length and were painted all over. The first outriggers used in the University boat race in 1846 were built in streaks, and it was not until 1857 that both University crews rowed in the present sort of boats with smooth skins made of mahogany without keels and with round loomed oars. The first time an outrigger was used at Eton was in 1852, and until 1860 the 'Victory' was the only one in regular use: all the other eights and fours were built with streaks and had rowlocks in the gunwale, with a half-outrigger for stroke and bow. The ten-oar had half-outriggers in that year, but soon afterwards all the eights became fully outrigged. Sliding seats were first used about 1874. The builders were Mr. Searle, Tolliday, and Goodman. Perkins, better known for many years by the sobriquet of 'Sambo,' has now become owner of Mr. Searle's premises.

In the old-fashioned boats rowing was to a certain extent done in an old-fashioned style. The boats went steadily along without any spring to the first touch of the oars in the water. The stroke was rapid forward, but became a slow drag from the first dash of the oar into the water till recovered. Now the boat leaps to the catch, whereas when the first note was sounded by a University oarsman to 'catch the beginning,' the Eton boy in the old heavy boat found it impossible to respond. But Eton boys knew what was meant by Mr. Warre when they got the celebrated Mat Taylor boat in 1860, and soon learned the new style. The stroke became quicker, the recovery sharp, and every nerve was strained to cover the blade of the oar at the first touch in the water when the whole pull had to be made. From the time when the watermen used to coach and row, no regular coaching had been done by anyone but the captains. A neat and traditional style was handed down with all the essential points of good oarsmanship. But the art of propelling the Mat Taylor, and boats afterwards used of the same sort of type, was taught by Mr. Warre.

We have alluded to the doubts at first in the minds of old Etonians about the eight going to Henley, and the great changes effected at that time. No one now will say that it was anything but unmixed good for the school. The convivial entertainments of Check nights and Oppidan dinners had already become inst.i.tutions of a past age. Drinking and smoking had died out, and all that was wanted to stir the boys from lounging about in their skiffs under willow bushes and back streams was the excitement of a great annual race and the effort to qualify for a place in the eight. There have almost always been Eton men in the University crews, and since 1861 there have sometimes been as many as five in one crew, and certainly as many, if not more, in every 'Varsity' race. Eton has always had its full share of the Presidentships. Third Trinity, Cambridge, has never ceased to hold its own in a high position on the Cam, and we have never heard a word of any deterioration, and much the other way, of the moral effect on the boys of being coached during their training. The special advantage of having the river as a recreation place in addition to the playing fields puts Eton to the front in athletics among our public schools; and the use of varieties of boats from early life, under all sorts of difficulties, on a rapid stream, and having to keep his proper side to avoid other craft, makes the 'Wet bob'

a first cla.s.s waterman. _Floreat Etona._

CAPTAINS OF THE BOATS AND NOTABLE EVENTS.

+----+------------------------+-------------------------------------+ Year Captain of the Boats Notable Events +----+------------------------+-------------------------------------+ 1812 G. Simson -- 1814 R. Wyatt -- 1815 T. Hill -- 1816 Bridgeman Simpson -- 1816 M. Bligh -- 1817 J. O. Secher -- 1818 J. H. Tuckfield -- 1819 R. Tuckfield -- 1820 Lord Dunlo -- 1821 M. Ashley -- 1822 J. A. Kinglake -- 1823 P. J. Nugent -- 1824 W. Carew -- 1825 A. Leith -- 1825 M. Clifford -- 1826 T. Staniforth -- 1827 T. H. Taunton -- 1828 T. Edwardes-Moss -- 1829 Lord Alford Beat Westminster 1830 G. H. Ackers -- 1831 C. M. Roupell Beat Westminster; beaten by Leander 1832 E. Moore -- 1833 G. Arkwright -- 1834 J. Quicke -- 1835 E. Stanley -- 1836 E. Fellowes Beat Westminster 1837 W. J. Garnett Beaten by Westminster 1838 P. J. Croft -- 1839 W. C. Rayer -- 1840 W. R. Harris-Arundell Beat Old Etonians, and an Oxford Etonian Club 1841 W. R. Harris-Arundell Beat Cambridge Subscription Room 1842 F. J. Richards Beaten by Westminster 1843 F. E. Tuke Beat Westminster 1844 W. W. Codrington -- 1845 H. A. F. Luttrell Beaten by Westminster 1846 G. F. Luttrell Beaten by Westminster 1847 C. H. Miller Beat Westminster; beaten by Thames in Putney Regatta 1848 H. H. Tremayne -- 1849 R. B. H. Blundell -- 1850 G. M. Robertson Beat scratch Cambridge crew; beaten by Oxford 1851 J. B. H. Blundell -- 1852 C. H. R. Trefusis Beaten by an Oxford crew 1853 J. J. Harding -- 1854 J. C. Moore Beat a scratch Oxford crew 1855 R. L. Lloyd Beaten by a Cambridge crew and by Balliol 1856 G. S. F. Lane-Fox Beat an Oxford and Cambridge mixed crew by a foul, and beaten by an Oxford eight 1857 T. Baring Beaten by an Oxford eight 1858 Mr. Lawless[15] Beat Radley at Henley 1859 C. A. Wynne -- 1860 R. H. Blake Humfrey[16] Beat Westminster 1861 R. H. Blake Humfrey Beat Westminster and Radley; beaten by Trinity College, Cambridge 1862 C. B. Lawes Beat Westminster and Radley; beaten by University College at Henley 1863 W. R. Griffiths Beat Trinity Hall, Brasenose, and Radley; beaten by University College at Henley 1864 S. C. c.o.c.kran Beat Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and Radley, and won Ladies' Plate at Henley 1865 J. Mossop -- 1866 E. Hall Won Ladies' Plate against Black Prince, Cambridge 1867 W. D. Benson Won Ladies' Plate against Radley 1868 J. M'Clintock-Bunbury Won Ladies' Plate against University College and Pembroke, Oxford 1869 T. Edwardes-Moss Won Ladies' Plate against Lady Margaret, Cambridge 1870 F. A. Currey Won Ladies' Plate against Dublin Trinity College 1871 F. C. Ricardo Won heats of Grand Challenge and of Ladies' Plate 1872 E. R. S. Bloxsome -- 1873 T. Edwardes-Moss Won first heat of Grand Challenge against Balliol 1874 T. Edwardes-Moss Won second heat of Grand Challenge against First Trinity, Cambridge, and B.N.C., Oxford 1875 A. J. Mulholland Beaten by Dublin in Ladies' Plate 1876 G. Cunard Beaten by Caius College, Cambridge, in Ladies' Plate 1876 S. Sandbach -- 1877 M. F. G. Wilson Beat Cheltenham, but beaten by Jesus College for Ladies' Plate 1878 G. Grenville-Grey Won second heat against Cheltenham; beaten by Jesus College in final for Ladies' Plate 1879 L. R. West Won second heat against Hertford College; beaten by Lady Margaret in final for Ladies' Plate 1880 G. C. Bourne Won first heat, beaten by Trinity Hall, Cambridge, in final for Ladies' Plate 1881 G. C. Bourne -- 1882 F. E. Churchill Won Ladies' Plate, after interval of twelve years 1883 H. S. Close Won first heat Ladies' Plate; lost with broken stretcher in final 1884 H. McLean Won Ladies' Plate 1885 C. Barclay Won Ladies' Plate 1886 C. T. Barclay Beaten by Pembroke College in final for Ladies' Plate 1887 Lord Ampthill Beaten by Second Trinity Hall in final for Ladies' Plate 1888 Lord Ampthill -- +----+------------------------+-------------------------------------+

[15] Now Lord Gloncurry.

[16] Changed his name to Mason.

CHAPTER XVI.

WATERMEN AND PROFESSIONALS.

The London waterman is the oldest type of professional oarsmanship. He was called into existence for the purpose of locomotion, and race-rowing was a very secondary consideration with him in the first instance. Just as in the present day credentials of respectability are required by the Commissioners of Police of drivers of cabs and omnibuses (and none may ply for hire in these capacities within the metropolis unless duly licensed), so in olden days great stress was laid on the due qualification of watermen. An aspirant was and is required to serve seven years' apprenticeship before he can be 'free' of the river, and until he is 'free' of it he may not ply for hire upon it under heavy penalties for so doing. This regulation is in the interests of public safety. If apprentices exhibit special talent for rowing they can win what are called 'coats and badges,' given by certain corporate bodies, and by so doing they can take up their 'freedom' without paying fees for the privilege. We believe that no such restrictions exist on our other British rivers. The rule survives on the Thames because in olden times the Thames was a highway for pa.s.senger traffic in 'wherries.' In those times, where a pa.s.senger would now go to a thoroughfare or call a cab, he would have gone to the nearest 'stairs' and have hailed a wherry.

London had not then grown to its present dimensions, and the Thames lay conveniently as a highway between Westminster, the City, and the docks.

Amateurs began to take up rowing early in the present century as a sport; and these contests seem to have fostered the idea of match-making among watermen. The t.i.tle of a Champion of the Thames seems first to have been held by one R. Campbell, who beat C. Williams, another waterman, in a match on September 9, 1831, and also beat R.

Coombes in a match the date of which is doubtful, but it was in heavy boats. Campbell was a powerful and heavy man, while Coombes weighed less that ten stone. Coombes turned the tables on Campbell a few years later (in 1846), and for some years Coombes was held to be invincible. In those times London watermen could, at scratch, man an eight to hold or even beat the best trained crew of amateurs. The original waterman's wherry was a vehicle of conveyance; it was of much greater size than would be required to carry one man alone in a sheer contest for speed, but so soon as 'racing' came into vogue among watermen, lighter craft were built for matches, and were called 'wager' boats. The hull of the wherry was constructed as narrow as possible, and the sides flared out just at the greatest beam, so as to allow of sufficient width to carry the rowlocks with the requisite leverage for the sculls. This detail has already been treated in Chapter XI. under the head of 'boat building.'

Coombes had been beaten by Campbell in old-fashioned wherries, such as could be used for the business of conveying pa.s.sengers. When he in turn defeated Campbell both men used 'wager boats.' The time came when years told on Coombes, and he had to yield to his own pupil Cole. Coombes was not convinced by his defeat, and made another match, but Cole this time won with greater ease. They rowed in 'outriggers' on these occasions.

Cole in turn succ.u.mbed to Messenger of Teddington in 1855, and two years later Harry Kelley, the best waterman the Thames ever produced, either as an oarsman or as a judge of rowing, beat Messenger. Up to this time London watermen had been considered invincible at sculling. Harry Clasper had produced four-oar crews from the Tyne to oppose Coombes and his four, but no Tyne sculler had dared to lay claim to the Championship. However, in 1859 Robert Chambers was matched with Kelley, and to the horror of the Thames men their favourite was beaten, and with considerable ease. The Tyne man was the bigger, and had a very long sweep with his sculls; on that day he showed to great advantage, the more so because Kelley was not sculling up to his best form. Defeated men can always suggest excuses for failure, and Kelley, for years after that race, averred that he had not been beaten on his merits; he had been kept waiting a long time at the post, and was cold and stiff at the start. In those days, whether in University matches or in public sculling races, the lead was a matter of special importance. In the first place the old code of rules were in force, which enabled a leading sculler to take his opponent's water, to wash him, to retain the captured course, and to compel his adversary to row round him in order to pa.s.s him. Secondly, and even more important, was the action of the crowds of steamers which followed such races. The Thames Conservancy had no control over them, and they would lie half-way up Putney Reach waiting for a race, and then steam alongside of or even ahead of the sternmost compet.i.tor. Their paddles drew away the water from him, and caused him literally to row uphill. Under such circ.u.mstances even the champion of the day would have found it next to impossible to overhaul even an apprentice sculler, if the latter were in clear water ahead of the steamer fleet and the former were a few lengths behind in the 'draw'

of the paddles.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THAMES WATERMAN--CIRC. 1825.]

All this was well known, and could be seen any day in an important Thames race (the hollowness of the Oxford wins of 1861 and 1862 against Cambridge was undoubtedly owing to the treatment which the Cantabs experienced from the steamers when once the lead had become decisive).

Kelley argued to his friends that all that could be said of the race was that he could not go as fast that day as Chambers for the first mile, and that after this point, whether or not he could have rowed down his opponent was an open question, for the steamers never gave him a chance of fair play. However, for a long time Kelley could not find backers for a new match. Meantime, Tom White and Everson in turn tried their luck against Chambers and were hopelessly beaten. In 1863 Green the Australian came to England to make a match with Chambers. Green was a square, powerful man, about Kelley's height, but a stone heavier. He sculled upright in body, and with too much arm work for staying power, and did not make enough use of his body, especially as to swing back at the end of the stroke. He sculled a fast stroke, and so long as his arms lasted went a tremendous pace. Kelley and he fraternised, and practised together. When the match came off against Chambers, Green went right away for a mile, and then maintained his lead of three or more clear lengths for another half-mile. Chambers sculled rather below his form at first, wildly, as if flurried at being so easily led, but off Craven he settled down to his old long sweep, and held Green. The end came suddenly; off the Soap Works Green collapsed, clean rowed out, and Chambers finished at his leisure. This match did Kelley good with his friends, for they knew that he could always in private practice go by Green after a mile or so had been sculled, quite as easily as Chambers eventually had done. Proposals were broached for a match between the cracks of the Thames and Tyne, and although the Tyne party pressed to have the race on the Tyne, they gave way at last, and the venue was the Thames. The stakes were 200_l._ a side, as usual in Champion matches, and there was also a staked 'bet' of 300_l._ to 200_l._ on Chambers.

(The race was on August 8, 1865.) The Tyne man was a strong favourite at the start, but Kelley got away with the lead, and was never again caught, winning cleverly by four lengths, and sculling in form such as was never seen before or after, on old-fashioned fixed seats. Just at this time there was a speedy Tyne sculler called Cooper; he lately had sculled a mile match with Chambers on the Tyne, and Chambers had won by _one yard_ only, in a surf which was all in favour of the bigger man (Chambers). A week or two after the aforesaid Champion race, Kelley, Cooper, and Chambers met for a 300_l._ sweepstake (specially got up for these three men, over the two-mile tidal course of the 'Eau Brink Cut'

at King's Lynn). Both Kelley and Chambers had been indulging a little after their Champion's training. Cooper, who had been lately beaten by Chambers in the Thames Regatta, for a 50_l._ purse (Hammersmith to Putney), was very fit, and jumped away from both the cracks. Chambers was short of wind, and was never in the race. Kelley stuck to Cooper, and rowed him down half a mile from the finish. Cooper then rowed across Kelley, fouled him, and drove him ash.o.r.e. Cooper was properly disqualified on the foul. Next year Hammill the American came over to scull Kelley, and the races took place on the Tyne. One race was end on end, and the other round a stake boat. Kelley won each race with utter ease. Hammill's style was an exaggeration of Green's, all arm work, and a stroke up to 55 a minute at the start. About this time J. Sadler was rising to fame. He had been a chimney-sweep, and afterwards was 'Jack in the water' to Simmonds' yard at Putney. He, unfortunately for himself, exposed much of his merits when rowing for the Thames Regatta Sculls in 1865, and instead of making a profitable series of matches up the scale, beginning with third-rate opponents, he had to make his first great match with T. h.o.a.re, who was reputed second only to Kelley on the Thames. Sadler beat h.o.a.re easily, and was at the close of 1866 matched to scull Chambers for the Championship, Kelley having 'retired' from the t.i.tle (Kelley and Sadler were allies at the time, and Sadler was Kelley's pupil). In the match Sadler went well and fast at Hammersmith, and then tired, fouled Chambers, and lost the race.

In the following year Kelley and Chambers were once more matched. Kelley came out of his retirement in consequence of some wrangling which had arisen out of the previous defeat of his pupil Sadler by Chambers. The new match took place on the Tyne, on a rough day and with a bad tide, on May 6. Kelley won and with some ease. It was evident that Chambers was no longer the man that he had been. He never again sculled for the Championship, but he took part in the Paris International Regatta in July of the same year. Very soon after this his lungs showed extensive disease, and he gradually sank of decline.