The industrial heritage of the River Tyne was the spawning ground for three particular rowing heroes. Harry Clasper, Robert Chambers and James Renforth.

In Newcastle, spectators would regularly number between 50,000 and 100,000 on the banks of the Tyne - far more than any major football matches today

By 1800, rowing in the competitive form, had become a very popular form of spectator entertainment with large sums of money changing hands.

Harry Clasper

Harry Clasper

Harry Clasper began competitive rowing at the age of 30 and was largely concerned, during his time on the water, with streamlining his boats and oars to have the competitive edge.

He developed the Newcastle Oar with blades, the handles of which overlapped on the draw gaining a precious inch or two at the catch.

Along with his four brothers he competed at the highest levels on the Thames and the Tyne, with mixed results, but still stayed ahead with the number of wins.

In the 1845 Thames Regatta, Harry rowed with his four brothers William, Edward, Robert and Richard as Cox. This was his greatest triumph, as it was held as the World Championships. They returned to Newcastle to a massive civic reception.

When Harry died in 1870, his funeral was attended by over 130,000 people lining the River Tyne as his coffin was taken over the Championship Course for the last time.

James Renforth

James Renforth

James Renforth's introduction to rowing came about as a wherryman during the demolition of the Old Tyne Bridge.

He won the sculling Championship of the World only once in 1868, but is probably best known for stroking a Tyne four to win the Championship of the World on the St Lawrence River near Montreal in 1870.

He died whilst defending the championship the next year. After rowing 200 yards, he started rowing out of stroke, and allowed the New Brunswick crew past. Soon after that, his oar dropped from his hand and he fell back into the arms of Robert Chambers - he never recovered.

Whilst the sliding seat was an American invention, by J C Babcock, it was the Renforth crew that in later years developed the technique of racing with it - the start of the modern boats.

Robert Chambers

From 1856, another name was appearing on the race lists - Robert Chambers. Harry Clasper had spent many years coaching his prodigy, and now he was coming good.

Chambers entered one particular race that catapulted him into the major league of rowers. In a race referred to as "The Great Race", he beat London rowers of the highest calibre by 5 lengths. He went on later in 1857 to win the Championship of England on the Thames.

He retained the Championship on four consecutive occasions, the last of which was on the Tyne Championship course. His rowing style was unique, and he will always be revered for his panache with the oars.

Chambers was the first Tyneside sculler to be called Champion of the World.

The modern boat

The innovative style and techniques that these three Tyneside rowers developed, led to the modern boat being what it is today. A secure wheeled sliding seat was introduced after the Canadian race.

It was first used in the University Boat race in 1873. Initially, times were slower, but oarsmen soon developed their technique using their leg muscles to maximum effect.

The most famous rower ever?

Two further innovations were then required to produce the racing boat as we know it today.

The swivel rowlock which was introduced in the USA about the same time as the sliding seat in the 1870's and J H Clasper invented and patented the fin keel to solve the problems of steering in adverse conditions.

The contribution to the sport of rowing and to sport in general by these three Tyneside heroes was immense.

In terms of inventiveness, the Tynesiders always had the edge. And by the time all three man had passed on, the ergonomic design of the modern boat had come of age - it only takes the sheer determination of people like these three to make it succeed. Sir Steve Redgrave is the epitome of that determination.