About Thames

1870's

1880's

1890's

1900's

1910's

1920's

1930's

1940's

1950's

1960's

1970's

1980's

1990's

2000's

The 1880's

Thames RC vs Hillsdale USA, Putney to Mortlake, 15th September 1882

In 1882 a crew from Hillsdale, USA entered the Stewards at Henley. There was suspicion in Britain that the crew did not meet the newly-defined amateur status. Incredible as it may seem today, the British definition of amateur at that time barred anyone who had 'ever been employed in or about boats or in manual labour' or was a 'mechanic, artisan or labourer'. After several crews refused to race against them, their entry was withdrawn. Since Hertford College, Oxford, holder of the Stewards would not race them, Hillsdale issued a challenge to Thames, the previous winners.

Thames initially refused. However, a telegram then arrived from Yale University - one of three universities that the ARA had approached for their opinion on the status of the Hillsdale crew. Yale said that they considered them to be amateurs and would be prepared to race them themselves.

The Yale message was communicated to the captains of the leading clubs, and Thames decided to accept the challenge after all, agreeing to race Hillsdale from Putney to Mortlake on 15 September 1882.

On a fine afternoon, Thames won the toss and took the Surrey station. The Americans, striking 49 to Thames's 41, took a slight lead but steered over towards Thames, who gave way. Hillsdale kept forcing Thames towards the bank and the oars overlapped. Eventually Thames had to hold their course to avoid a barge and a bad foul ensued after about two minutes' rowing. The Americans were the first to get clear and soon after led by over a length, directly ahead of Thames, who tried to pass Hillsdale on the Middlesex side off Craven Cottage, but the Americans moved out in front of them. With Thames rolling badly in their wash, they drew away to lead by 3 1/2 lengths at Hammersmith Bridge.

However, the Americans were beginning to get short and ragged and Thames began to pull them back. Responding to the cheers of their supporters in the Club's steamer, Thames gained rapidly at the bottom of Chiswick Eyot. Once again, the Americans pulled over in front and gave Thames their wash, but at the top of the Eyot, Thames spurted and the Hillsdale crew's rowing became very ragged.

At Chiswick Steps, the Americans suddenly stopped, and Thames shot past. The American bowman threw part of his sliding seat away and Hillsdale set off in pursuit, but the race was now over. Thames passed the finishing post 6 or so lengths ahead in 20 min 24 sec.

To the British rowing establishment of the time, Thames had demonstrated the virtues of the 'gentleman amateur' against the American 'shamateurs'. Thankfully, British ideas about Amateurism have come a long way since then!

The winners of the race with Hillsdale: Left to right: H.B. Tween (bow), H.J. Rust, J. Hastie, F. Canton (stroke)