Sons of the Thames
Encyclopedia
Sons of the Thames is a rowing
club in Hammersmith
, London
, England
. It was originally formed in Putney
over a hundred years ago with the aim, still enshrined in its constitution, to further the sport of rowing.
. The building has a 999 year lease, so another move is not expected soon. The club welcomes novices and more experienced members for their Henley
squads.
The club's official founding date is 1886, however there is evidence of crews racing under the "Sons of the Thames" name at least as far back as 1865.
See also Joseph Sadler
Crew Races.
created the Sons of the Thames Regatta, to bring forward new junior rowers. The race was held on the Thames between Putney and Hammersmith and had the distinction that the competitors must not use slides.
There are also mentions of a society called Sons of the Thames Society formed before 1790 to celebrate the annual Doggett's Coat and Badge
sculling race.
and Furnivall Sculling Club
organise a yearly head race, the winners of which receive the Dewar Challenge Shield. The race covers half the Championship Course in the opposite direction, starting at Chiswick Bridge and finishing at Hammersmith Bridge.
The shield is named after Alice Dewar, a Furnival Captain in 1909. However there are many other "Dewar Challenge Shields" that were presented by Sir Thomas Dewar dating from around the same time and which are very similar in design, so it's possible the origins of the shield may be different.
Sport rowing
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
club in Hammersmith
Hammersmith
Hammersmith is an urban centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London, England, in the United Kingdom, approximately five miles west of Charing Cross on the north bank of the River Thames...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was originally formed in Putney
Putney
Putney is a district in south-west London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
over a hundred years ago with the aim, still enshrined in its constitution, to further the sport of rowing.
History
Originally a Trademen's club who boated from their first premises at the Dukes Head in Putney, Sons has moved westwards to Hammersmith. The latest move, in 2000, was to share the premises of Linden House, on Upper Mall, with London Corinthian Sailing ClubLondon Corinthian Sailing Club
The London Corinthian Sailing Club is based on the river Thames at Hammersmith. Its activities include Dinghy sailing and racing on the river, and yachting in the Solent and further afield, as well as an active social side including 'Club Nights' every Tuesday evening.An RYA-approved offshore...
. The building has a 999 year lease, so another move is not expected soon. The club welcomes novices and more experienced members for their Henley
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
squads.
The club's official founding date is 1886, however there is evidence of crews racing under the "Sons of the Thames" name at least as far back as 1865.
See also Joseph Sadler
Joseph Sadler
Joseph Henry Sadler was a British professional rower who twice won the World Sculling Championship. Before 1876, the English Sculling Championship was considered to be the premier event in professional sculling...
Crew Races.
Possible connections
In 1861, Herbert PlayfordHerbert Playford
Herbert Harlee Playford was a British rower who won the Wingfield Sculls and the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta. He was instrumental in founding London Rowing Club and the Metropolitan Regatta....
created the Sons of the Thames Regatta, to bring forward new junior rowers. The race was held on the Thames between Putney and Hammersmith and had the distinction that the competitors must not use slides.
There are also mentions of a society called Sons of the Thames Society formed before 1790 to celebrate the annual Doggett's Coat and Badge
Doggett's Coat and Badge
Doggett's Coat and Badge is the prize and name for the oldest rowing race in the world. Up to six apprentice Watermen of the River Thames in England compete for this prestigious honour, which has been held every year since 1715. The 4 miles 5 furlongs race is held on the Thames between London...
sculling race.
Henley Royal Regatta
Sons of the Thames enjoyed success in the 1960s, winning twice at Henley.- 1964, Wyfold Challenge CupWyfold Challenge CupThe Wyfold Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from a single rowing club. Boat clubs from any university, college or secondary school are not permitted.The trophy...
- 1968, Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge CupSilver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge CupThe Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless pairs at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two clubs may combine to make an entry.-History:The Silver Goblets...
, AJ Sutton & PJW Sharp.
Henley Women's Regatta
Sons of the Thames are the 2010 winners of the Frank Harry Cup at Henley Women's Regatta, setting a new course record.- 2010, Frank Harry Cup: James Renwick + Cat Hart, Emily Wright, Lyndsay Campbell and Pippa Blockley.
Dewar Shield
Sons of the Thames, along with Auriol Kensington Rowing ClubAuriol Kensington Rowing Club
Auriol Kensington Rowing Club is an amateur rowing club, based in Hammersmith in west London, England. The club was formed in 1981 by the amalgamation of two separate clubs - Auriol Rowing Club which was founded in 1896, and Kensington Rowing Club which was founded in 1872...
and Furnivall Sculling Club
Furnivall Sculling Club
Furnivall Sculling Club is a rowing club based on the Tideway in Hammersmith, London. It was founded as Hammersmith Sculling Club in 1896 by Dr Frederick James Furnivall. Originally a club for women only, it opened its doors to men in 1901...
organise a yearly head race, the winners of which receive the Dewar Challenge Shield. The race covers half the Championship Course in the opposite direction, starting at Chiswick Bridge and finishing at Hammersmith Bridge.
The shield is named after Alice Dewar, a Furnival Captain in 1909. However there are many other "Dewar Challenge Shields" that were presented by Sir Thomas Dewar dating from around the same time and which are very similar in design, so it's possible the origins of the shield may be different.