Heroes
of the Tyne
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| The original
Championship Course from the High Level to the Suspension Bridge |
| Harry
Clasper |
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By 1800, rowing in the competitive form, had become
a very popular form of spectator entertainment with large sums of
money changing hands.
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| Harry Clasper |
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
The industrial heritage of the River Tyne was the spawning ground
for three particular rowing heroes. Harry Clasper, Robert Chambers
and James Renforth.
Harry, perhaps the most well known member of the trio, 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.
| The
World Championship |
|
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.
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.
| James
Renforth |
|
James' 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.
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| James Renforth |
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.
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.
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' 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.
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