ROWING AT ETON COLLEGE.
The River Thames flows so near the College of Eton that it necessarily
affords an attraction to the boys at least equal to the playing fields,
and has always been frequented for bathing and rowing as well as other
aquatic pursuits. All such amusements have been styled from time
immemorial 'Wet bobbing,' as distinguished from cricket, which is 'Dry
bobbing:' the boys who boat are called 'Wet bobs' and the cricketers
'Dry bobs.' In the good old times, by which we mean the times told of by
old men of our early acquaintance, extending to the end of the last and
beginning of this century, the river was used by the boys for some other
delightful though unlawful sports. Fishing was in those times more
attractive to them than it has been in recent years, and many boys who
did not join the boats would go out gudgeon, pike, or trout fishing with
persistent zeal. Old gentlemen have told us of getting up in the early
morning in the summer half, breaking out through the windows of their
dame's or tutor's houses, and getting on the river to fish before the
early school. Shooting was also practised on the river both at such
times and during the legitimate play hours. The watermen took care of
guns for sporting boys, and went with them in pursuit of water-hens,
kingfishers, swallows, or any bird that might be found about the eyots,
in the willow beds, or up the backwaters of Clewer or Cuckoo Weir. Of
course these sports were interdicted; but the use of the river for any
purpose whatever was so far forbidden that masters must be shirked in
going to or coming from it, and the river itself was out of bounds. The
sixth form also had to be shirked in old times, and could have any lower
boy punished for being out of bounds; but it must have been a sixth-form
boy of no sporting propensities himself who could have given 100 lines
to a lower boy caught shooting in the Clewer stream. Was it more or was
it less praiseworthy of one of the tutors who caught the same lad with
his gun, and only remonstrated with him because it might be dangerous,
and not because he was breaking the rules of the school?
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 ashore. 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 Saturday, 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 'pass' 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 passed 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
passed. 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 'Passing.' 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 'passing' was
established there has been only one boy drowned, though many are swamped
under all kinds of circumstances. A boy who has not passed belongs to
the class called 'non nant.'
[Illustration: 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 glass 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 bump 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 Saturday) 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 entitled to wear white flannel trousers and the light blue
coats. Now that the race at Henley is an institution 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 assistant master, and at the
request of the captain of the boats assisted him to arrange the
Westminster race, and engaged to coach the eight. It was with his
assistance 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 bumping. There were no rules of racing then,
and bumping 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 amusement. 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 institution 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 coxswains was
introduced in 1863, and a good pair now wins in 19 to 20 minutes. Fours
still continue to carry coxswains.
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 institutions 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 class 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. Cockran | 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.