Boating Part 2

This book commences in the year 1813 with a single list of the six-oared boat 'Fly,' viz., Messrs. H. Parry, E. O. Cleaver, E.

Parry, W. Markham, W. F. de Ros, G. Randolph. The 'Fly'

continued to be the only boat of this school down to 1816 inclusive, in which latter year it 'beat the Temple six-oared boat (Mr. Church stroke), in a race from Johnson's dock to Westminster Bridge, by half a boat; the latter men having been beat before;' to which is added a note that the Temple boat 'requested the K. S. to row this short distance, having been completely beat by them in a longer row the same evening.' In 1817 there was a six-oar built for Westminster, called the 'Defiance,' and 'sheepskin seats were introduced.' In 1818, the 'Westminster were challenged by the Etonians,' and a six-oared crew was in course of preparation for the race, but the contest was prohibited. In 1819 an eight-oar called the 'Victory' was launched, but the six-oar 'Defiance' appears to have been the representative crew of the school, for there is a note that in the spring of 1821 'the boat improved considerably and beat the "Eagle" in a short pull from Battersea to Putney Bridge.' In 1823 a new six-oared cutter was built, and the name of 'Queen Bess' given in honour of the ill.u.s.trious foundress. In 1823 this boat was started from the Horseferry at half past five in the morning, and reached Chertsey bridge by three o'clock. On their way back they dined at Walton, and again reached the Horseferry by a quarter before nine. The crew of the eight-oar 'Victory' in the same year 'distinguished themselves in the Temple race and several others.' A new eight called the 'Challenge' was launched in 1824, and the record says this boat did beat every boat that it came alongside of, as also did the 'Victory.' And again in April 13, 1825, this boat ('Challenge') started from the Horseferry at four minutes past three in the morning, reached Sunbury to breakfast at half past seven, and having taken luncheon at the London Stairs, just above Staines, went through Windsor bridge by two o'clock in the afternoon. After having seen Eton, the crew returned to Staines to dinner, and ultimately arrived at the Horseferry, having performed this distance in twenty-one hours. The locks detained them full three hours, and, including all stoppages, they were detained seven hours. A waterman of the name of Ellis steered the boat in this excursion, and both steered and conducted himself remarkably well.

Such are some of the early Westminster School annals, as collated by Mr.

Brickwood. One cannot help feeling that if these long journeys were samples of the school aquatics, it is not to be wondered that parents and guardians of old days imbibed prejudices against rowing, and considered it injurious both to health and to study.

In the following decade there seem to have been plenty of aquatics current. The 'Bell's Life' files of those days teem with aquatic notes.

One day we read (dated May 26, 1834) a self-exculpatory letter from Dr.

Williamson, head-master of Westminster School, explaining why he did not approve of his scholars rowing a match against Eton, and complaining of the 'intemperance and excesses which such matches lead to.'

On July 3, says 'Bell' of July 6 in that year, a match was rowed between a randan (Campbell, Moulton, and G.o.dfrey) and a four-oar (Harris, Eld, Butcher, and Dodd, Cole c.o.x.)--from Putney to Westminster. The randan were favourites, and led; but Moulton fainted, and the four won. The race was for a purse of 70_l._--50_l._ for winners and 20_l._ for losers. In the same paper, Williams challenges Campbell to a match--apparently for the incipient t.i.tle of Champion of the Thames.

Williams wishes Campbell to stake 40_l._ to 30_l._, because he is six years the younger. Compare the modesty of these stakes with those for which modern champion, and some less important matches, are rowed!

[Ill.u.s.tration: METHOD OF STARTING THE COLLEGE EIGHTS PRIOR TO 1825--OXFORD.]

'Lyons House' seems to have been a sort of resort for amateurs. Cole, who steered the waterman's four (_supra_) _v._ the randan, is described as the waterman of those rooms.

On July 8, same year, a Mr. Kemp, of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, matches himself for a large stake to 'row his own boat' from Hampton Court to Westminster and back in nine hours. Time is favourite, but Mr. Kemp wins by 27 minutes, having met the tide for several miles of his voyage. Such are a few samples of the current style of aquatic sports between 1830 and 1840.

The 'Wingfield Sculls' were founded in 1830, given by the donor, whose name they bear, to be held as a challenge prize by the best sculler of the day from Westminster to Putney, against all comers, on the '4th of August for ever'--so a silver plate in the lid of the old box which holds the silver sculls bears testimony. Since its foundation the prize has been more than once placed on a different footing. Parliaments of old champions and compet.i.tors for the prize have been summoned, and the original donor gave a.s.sent to the changes of course and _regime_. Lists of winners and compet.i.tors from year to year, with notes as to the course rowed, will be found in 'Tables' later on. The race has from its earliest years been described by amateurs as equivalent of 'amateur champions.h.i.+p.' A panoply of silver plates has grown up in and around the box which holds the trophy, and on these plates is recorded the name of each winner from year to year. About a quarter of a century ago a 'champion badge' was inst.i.tuted. It consists of a small edition of the Diamond Sculls (Henley) challenge prize; as to shape, it is a pair of silver sculls crossed with an enamel wreath and mounted on a ribbon like a 'decoration' or 'order.' There is a 'clasp' for the year of winning. A second win only adds a fresh clasp with date, but no second badge. The secretary of the 'order' is Mr. E. D. Brickwood, himself winner of the t.i.tle in 1861.

UNIVERSITY TRAINING.

Eight-oars had been manned at Eton before they found their way to Oxford. At Cambridge they appeared still later. At both Universities a plurality of eight-oars clubs had existed for some seasons before the first University match--1829.

In 1881, at the time when the 'Jubilee' dinner of University boat-racing was held, the writer took the opportunity of the presence in London of the Rev. T. Staniforth, the stroke of the first winning University eight, to inquire from him his recollections of college boat-racing in his undergraduate days.

Fortunately for posterity, Mr. Staniforth had kept a diary during his Oxford career, and it had noted many a fact connected with aquatics. He kindly undertook to bring to London at his next visit his diaries of Oxford days. He met the writer, searched his diaries, and out of them recorded history which was taken down from his lips, and reduced to the following article, which appeared in 'Land and Water' of December 17, 1881.[4] It is now reproduced verbatim, by leave. The writer regrets to say that, from various causes, he has been unable to pursue his researches beyond the dates when Mr. Staniforth's diaries cease to record Oxford aquatics.

[4] See Appendix.

There must be many an old oarsman still alive who can recall historical facts between 1830 and 1836, and it is hoped that such memories may be reduced to writing for the benefit of posterity, and for the honour of the oarsmen of those years, before _tempus edax rerum_ makes it too late.

The writer considers that he will do better thus to reproduce verbatim his own former contribution to 'Land and Water' than to paraphrase it.

The more so because much of the text of it is actually the [hepea pterhoenta] of the old Oxford stroke, taken down as uttered from his lips to the writer, and read over again to him for emendation or other alteration, before the interview in question was concluded. It may be added that Mr. Staniforth kindly showed to the writer the actual text of the diaries referred to, from which he refreshed his memory and recorded the appended history.

As to the intermediate history between 1830 and 1837, in which year the Brasenose boating record opens (two seasons before an O.U.B.C. was founded), Christ Church started head in 1837; therefore, apparently, they finished head in 1836.

[Ill.u.s.tration: OXFORD BOAT IN 1829.]

Mr. Brickwood, in his book on 'Boat Racing,' has collected some history of these years, but unfortunately he does not record the source, so that what might be a tree of knowledge for inquirers to pluck more from seems to be sealed against our curiosity. We have, however, to thank him for the following information, which we reproduce (page 157 of 'Boat Racing'):--

1833.--Queen's College is chronicled as head of the river at Oxford this being the only record between 1825 and 1834. Christ Church, it is true, was said to have kept that position for many years, but the precise number is not given. However, there seems no doubt that Christ Church was head in 1834, 1835, and 1836, after which the official record commences.

Mr. Brickwood, moreover, seems to have gleaned from some independent source sundry valuable details of early Oxford races. He tells us that 'the first known races were those of the college eights in 1815, when Brasenose was the head boat, and their chief and perhaps their only opponent was Jesus.' He speaks of four-oared races in the next ensuing years, and of a match between Mr. de Ros' four and a pair manned by a B.N.C. man and a waterman--won by the pair. Then comes some information as to the years 1822, 1824, and 1825, which exactly tallies with Mr.

Staniforth's journals, save that Mr. Brickwood ascribes the discontinuance of the races in 1823 directly to the recorded quarrel between B.N.C. and Jesus; whereas Mr. Staniforth attributes it to the untimely death of Musgrave (_supra_).

The first University race took place in 1829, over the course from Hambledon Lock to Henley. Mr. Staniforth states that till the Oxford went to practise over the course, no one thought of steering an eight through the Berks channel, past 'regatta' island. However, the Oxonians 'timed' the two straits, and decided to select the Berks one, if they got the chance. They took that channel in the race and won easily. A foul occurred in the first essay at starting, and the boats were restarted. This pair of pioneer University crews produced men of more than usual celebrity in after life: two embryo bishops, three deans, one prebendary, and divers others hereafter

In hamlet and hall As well known to all As the vane of the old church spire.

The full list of the crews engaged in this and in all other contests in which Universities were represented, will be found in 'Tables' towards the end of this volume. At this time there was no O.U.B.C., nor did such an organisation exist until 1839, when a 'meeting of strokes' of the various colleges was convened, and a generally representative club was founded. At Cambridge a U.B.C. had existed since 1827. In that year the system of college eights seems to have been inst.i.tuted, according to the testimony of Dr. Merivale, still Dean of Ely, and a member of the C.U.B.C. crew of 1829. Trinity were head of the river on that occasion, and there seems to have been also a Westminster club, of an independent nature in Trinity. The records of college racing at Cambridge seem to be unbroken since their inst.i.tution; whereas those of Oxford were for many years unofficial and without central organisation, and consequently without official record, until 1839. The Brasenose Club record dates from 1837.

[Ill.u.s.tration: b.u.mPING RACES (OLD STYLE).]

The next occasion in which a University eight figured was in a match which somehow seems to have slipped out of public memory, though it occurred several years later than the first match between the Universities. The writer was talking to old George West, the well-known Oxford waterman, in 1882, at the L.R.C. boat-house, while waiting for the practice of the U.B.C. crews of that year. Casually old George remarked, 'I steered a University eight once, sir.' The writer looked incredulous. 'Yes, against Leander--Leander won,' quoth George. The writer had known West since his school days, and had heard him recapitulate his aquatic memories times out of mind, but never till that hour had he heard any allusion to this Leander match. Only the year before, the 'Jubilee' dinner of old Blues had taken place, and all who had ever been known to have represented their University in a match or regatta were asked to join in the celebration. At that date not one of the executive had any inkling of this match, although one of the Oxford crew, the present Bishop of Norwich, could certainly have been found at an hour's notice. Letters from old oarsmen, who had not actually rowed for the flag (often because there was no match during their career), used to pour in while the jubilee feast was in preparation, asking for admittance to it. None of this Oxford crew seem to have put in any claim. A slight, though an unintentional one, was thus perpetrated upon all of them, whether alive or dead, by the omission to record them as old Blues on that occasion. When the writer compiled the history of 'Old Blues and their Battles,' which Mr. G. T. Treherne incorporated in his book of 'Record of the University Boat Race,' and which was published soon after the jubilee, neither of these gentlemen was aware of this race. No speaker at the banquet seemed to remember or allude to it. Yet, on referring to old files of 'Bell's Life,' record of this match is to be found. Since it was recorded in that journal, it seems to have been unnoticed in any print till now. Better late than never; the performers in it are now officially brought to light, and their names will be found in the tables of University oarsmen and their opponents, later on.

This match was for 200_l._ a side. Leander would row on no other terms, and insisted on having their own waterman to steer them, as they did in their later matches against Cambridge. This was the only Oxford University eight ever steered by a professional. Only one of the 1829 crew seems to have remained to do duty in this race. The Pelham referred to is now Bishop of Norwich. He used, before this, to row in the Christ Church eight behind Staniforth. The Waterford is the former marquis of that ilk, who lost his life later on through a fall when hunting. _En pa.s.sant_, it may be mentioned that Bishop Selwyn (of C.U.B.C. crew 1829) and Pelham of Oxford 1834, each begat sons who rowed for their respective Universities: Selwyn, junr. 1864 and 1866; Pelham, junr. 1877 and 1878. The latter oarsman unfortunately lost his life in the Alps very shortly afterwards. J. R. Selwyn has succeeded his late father as a colonial bishop. Inasmuch as we here record, for the first time for two generations, a lost chapter of University Boat Racing, we think it will be of interest to append the account given, in 'Bell's Life' of that day, of this forgotten match.

EIGHT-OARED MATCH--LONDON AND THE OXFORD AMATEURS FOR 200.[5]

[5] _Bell's Life_, Sunday, June 26, 1831.

This interesting match was decided on Sat.u.r.day week at Henley Reach. The Trinity boat, built by Archer of Lambeth, proved successful on a former occasion when opposed to the Oxonians, was, we understand, again selected by them in the first instance, but they ultimately decided on rowing in a boat built by Searle, which they considered had been unjustly denounced 'a rank bad un,' simply on the score of the Cambridge gentlemen and the Westminster Scholars having lost their matches in her--the former against Oxford, and the latter against the Etonians.

The gentlemen of Oxford selected a large but peculiarly light eight belonging to Mr. Davis of Oxford. On Friday the London gentlemen left town for Henley, and took up their quarters at the Red Lion. Noulton of Lambeth was selected to steer them.

Although Oxford were favourites on the match being first concocted, it was with difficulty that a bet could be made on the Londoners on the last two days, and then only at 6 to 4 against Oxford.

At about 6.30 the contending parties arrived in their cutters near the lock, to row from thence against the stream to Henley Bridge, which is reckoned two and a quarter miles.

The names of the respective parties and their stations in the cutters were as follows:

_London_--Bishop (stroke), Captain Shaw, J. Bayford, Lewis, Cannon, Weedon, Revell, Hornemann.

_Oxford_--Copplestone (stroke), Lloyd, Barnes, Pelham, Peard, Marsh, Marquis of Waterford, Carter. The latter was steered, we believe, by a boy belonging to the lock.

Mr. Hume and Mr. Bayford were appointed umpires on part of the London gentlemen, and Mr. Lloyd and another gentleman on the side of Oxford.

The Oxford gentlemen won the toss and took the inside station.

The umpires having a second time asked if all was ready, receiving an answer in the affirmative, gave the signal. In less than a dozen seconds the London gentlemen almost astounded their opponents by going about a boat's length in advance, so rapid were their strokes when compared with those of Oxford. The Oxford gentlemen soon recovered. Before half the distance had been rowed London were two lengths in advance. The Oxonians, finding they were losing ground, made a desperate effort and succeeded in coming within a painter's length. On nearing the goal the exertions of each party were increasing. One London gentleman (Captain Shaw) seemed so much exhausted, that it was feared he would not hold out the remaining distance. Noulton, seeing this and fearing the consequence, observing the Oxford gentlemen fast approaching them, said that 'if the Londoners did not give it her it would be all up with them.' They did give it her, and the consequence was they became victorious by about two boats' lengths. The distance was rowed in 11-1/4 minutes.

The exertions at the conclusion of the contest became lamentably apparent. Captain Shaw nearly fainted and had to be carried ash.o.r.e; Mr. Bayford was obliged to retire to bed instantly; so was also one of the Oxford gentlemen. The others were more or less exhausted.

The London gentlemen rowed to town on Tuesday, and were greeted on their way with cheering and cannon. On arriving at Searle's a _feu-de-joie_ was fired.

_Note._--Of the various performers in this Oxford crew, the following notices of the after career of some may be of interest. Messrs.

Copplestone and Pelham rose to adorn the episcopate. Mr. Peard became known to fame as 'Garibaldi's Englishman,' and played an important part in the cause of the liberation of Italy.

There had been a second University match in 1836, this time from Westminster to Putney (see Tables). No official record exists of this.

It is said that 'light blue' was on this occasion first adopted by Cambridge. Certainly in 1829 the Cantab crew wore _pink_, while Oxford sported blue. The late Mr. R. M. Phillips, of Christ's, used to tell the writer that he it was who fortuitously founded light blue on this occasion. He was on the raft at Searle's when the Cantab crew were preparing to start (either for the race or for a day's practice) the race so far as recollection of Mr. Phillips' narrative serves the writer. One of the crew said, 'We have no colours.' Mr. Phillips ran off to buy some ribbon in Stangate. An old Etonian accompanied him, and suggested 'Eton ribbon for luck.' It was bought, it came in first, and was adhered to in later years by Cambridge.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A COLLEGE PAIR.]

In 1837 the head college crews of the two Universities rowed a match at Henley. The Brasenose book says, Christ Church were head, but took off because their Dean objected to their rowing at Henley; the effect of their 'taking off' was to leave Queen's College, on whom the representation of the college crews would devolve, with the t.i.tular heads.h.i.+p.

The B.N.C. book says, the Queen's crew went, 'as was usual,' to row the head boat of Cambridge, and beat them easily. The latter statement is correct. Mr. Brickwood in his treatise demurs to the accuracy of the B.N.C. allegation that such matches were 'usual,' and research qualifies his scepticism. The B.N.C. hon. sec. of that day seems to have been drawing somewhat upon his imagination. He had probably heard of these various Leander and other matches at Henley in other years; hence his inference.