Thames Club
Encyclopedia
The Thames Club was an English rowing club based on the Tideway
of the River Thames
that competed in the middle of 19th century.
The Thames Club was active in the 1840s and 1850s and its first major success was winning the Grand Challenge Cup
at Henley Royal Regatta
in 1846 with the crew including E. Webb, J. S. Robinson, Francis Playford
, L. D. Strutton, and John Walmisley (stroke) with G. Walmisley (cox). Thames Club were runners up in the event in 1848. The club had a succession of wins in the Wingfield Sculls with John Walmisley in 1847 and 1848, Francis Playford in 1849 and E.G Peacock in 1852. At Henley, LD Bruce was runner up in the Silver Wherries with S Wallace in 1848. Peacock and Playford won the Silver Wherries in 1849 and Peacock won the Diamond Challenge Sculls in 1851. Thames came third in the Stewards' Challenge Cup
in 1852.
Thames was one of several clubs on the Tideway including Wandle Club, Argonaut Club
, St George's Club
, Meteor Club and Petrel Club. In 1856 there was a move to combine these clubs into a single club that could compete successfully against the Oxford and Cambridge crews at Henley in the fours
and eights
. To achieve this, the London Rowing Club
was formed.
In 1862, the City of London Boat Club decided to rename itself "Thames Rowing Club
" and sought and gained the permission of Frank Playford, the only traceable member of "The Thames Club" at the time.
Tideway
The Tideway is a name given to the part of the River Thames in England that is subject to tides. This stretch of water is downstream from Teddington Lock and is just under long...
of the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
that competed in the middle of 19th century.
The Thames Club was active in the 1840s and 1850s and its first major success was winning the Grand Challenge Cup
Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event 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...
at Henley Royal Regatta
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...
in 1846 with the crew including E. Webb, J. S. Robinson, Francis Playford
Francis Playford
Francis Playford was a British rower who won the Wingfield Sculls in 1849 and the pairs oars at Henley Royal Regatta....
, L. D. Strutton, and John Walmisley (stroke) with G. Walmisley (cox). Thames Club were runners up in the event in 1848. The club had a succession of wins in the Wingfield Sculls with John Walmisley in 1847 and 1848, Francis Playford in 1849 and E.G Peacock in 1852. At Henley, LD Bruce was runner up in the Silver Wherries with S Wallace in 1848. Peacock and Playford won the Silver Wherries in 1849 and Peacock won the Diamond Challenge Sculls in 1851. Thames came third in the Stewards' Challenge Cup
Stewards' Challenge Cup
The Stewards' 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 all eligible rowing clubs. Two or more clubs may combine to make an entry....
in 1852.
Thames was one of several clubs on the Tideway including Wandle Club, Argonaut Club
Argonaut Club
The Argonaut Club was an English rowing club based on the Tideway of the River Thames that competed in the middle of 19th century.The Argonaut Club was active in the 1850s and its first major successes were in the Visitors' Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 1852 and 1953. The most prominent...
, St George's Club
St George's Club
The St George's Club was an English rowing club based on the Tideway of the River Thames that competed in the middle of 19th century.The St George's Club included members who were receiving a medical education at St George's Hospital at Hyde Park Corner. It was active in the 1840s and entered coxed...
, Meteor Club and Petrel Club. In 1856 there was a move to combine these clubs into a single club that could compete successfully against the Oxford and Cambridge crews at Henley in the fours
Coxed four
A coxed four is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four persons who propel the boat with sweep oars and is steered by a cox....
and eights
Eight (rowing)
An Eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain, or cox....
. To achieve this, the London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
was formed.
In 1862, the City of London Boat Club decided to rename itself "Thames Rowing Club
Thames Rowing Club
Thames Rowing Club is a rowing club situated on the River Thames in Putney, London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1860.-Club colours:Red, white and black in stripes, the white stripe lying between the red and black and being of half their width....
" and sought and gained the permission of Frank Playford, the only traceable member of "The Thames Club" at the time.