John Bright

John Bright was a professional rower from the North East of England

25th August 1866:
Bell's Life reported: "The sculling contest between John Bright and H. Clelland of Newcastle, who were matched to row a couple miles on the Tyne in Clasper's open boats for £25 a side, came off on Monday morning last, from the High Level Bridge to the Meadows House. Though little was known of the men, the match created considerable interest and a strong muster of aquatic admirers gathered on the occasion to witness the race. Bright from the first appears to have had the call of the betting and at the start on Monday forenoon odds of 6 to 4 was freely laid on him. About half past ten the men put off from the Mansion House and rowed down to the bridge, where they quickly got in line and were soon off at a slashing pace. Bright, who had the north side was the first to show in front, but before 200 yards had been rowed, Clelland collared his man and an exciting race ensued to the Bottle Works, both rowing to this point strictly level. On passing the Skinners Burn, Clelland improved the pace and changed the state of affairs, his party accepting even money. Approaching the Grindstone Quay, Clelland's chance appeared more secure as he led by a length and was pulling much better; but no sooner had they left this place and were making for the shot tower that Bright put on a spurt and as Clelland flagged drew level with him again. The pair then rowed on even terms to within a short distance of Cooper's stairs when Bright assumed the lead, and on passing the mile was two lengths in front. The race was now virtually over, Bright, despite the exertions of Clelland, gradually widened the gap and at the Meadows House was leading by half a dozen lengths. Mr Walker officiated as Referee while as Umpire J. Percy did the needful for Clelland and J. Adams for Bright"

25th August 1866:
Bell's Life reported: G. Wakefield and J. Bright – A match has been arranged between these men and £5 a side deposited and they are to meet this evening at Mr. Bagnall’s, Cloth Market, to sign articles. The distance has not yet transpired, but it is generally understood to be over the tow mile course viz. From the High Level Bridge to the Meadows House and Sept 10th will probably be the day fixed for the race.

10th May 1870
Cheltenham Chronicle reported: Open Boat Race on the Tyne - On the 2nd inst, the great boat race in open boats for £200, and a level bet of £100, came off on the Tyne between Harry Kelly, ex-champion, and John Bright of Newcastle; the distance was from the High Level Bridge to Scotswood Bridge. The Londoner was the favourite at the start, the betting being 5 to 4 on him. A good start was effected and at Redheugh Bridge the men were on equal terms. opposite Armstrong's Factory Kelly took Bright's water and a foul took place. Kelly led to the finish and won by three boat lengths. The Referee gave his decision in favour of Kelly in the matter of the foul.

15th July 1871

Cheltenham Chronicle reported: The English Champion Four, which are matched with the St. John (New Brunswick) crew on the 23rd of next month, left Newcastle for America on Wednesday last. About 3,000 people assembled to bid them farewell. James Percy (bow), Robert Chambers (2), Henry Kelly (3) and James Renforth (Stroke) is the present arrangement of the crew, while John Bright accompanies them as spare man. All seemed very well and confident.

26th August 1871
The Illustrated London News reported: “ After going a mile, Renforth took a fit, and nearly fell out of the boat. . . . Poor Renforth has just died.” Such is a portion of the telegram conveying the melancholy result of the great Anglo-Canadian four-cured race. At the time of writing no particulars have reached England, and we can only give a short summary of the brilliant career of the best sculler that ever sat in a boat. He was born at Gateshead, in 1842 and did not appear in public till the commencement of 1867. Having won ten sculling-matches in succession, and always with plenty in hand, he challenged Harry Kelley for the championship, in November 1868, and defeated him almost as he chose; in fact, so hollow an affair was it that the Thames man did not care to try to recover his lost laurels, nor could Joseph Sadler ever summon up courage to tackle the redoutable Northerner, though in the Thames Regatta of 1559 both he and Kelley were easily beaten by Renforth. The latter then tried to concede John Bright two lengths’ start in open boats; but after several fouls the race was given against him. Then came the two great four-oared matches between the Thames and Tyne, in which he was stroke of the latter boat, and secured two easy triumphs. These contests brought about a double sculling-match, in which Kelley and Sadler were opposed to Renforth and Taylor, and this time the Thames men turned the tables. The Anglo-Canadian match of last year must be fresh in the recollection of our readers. and a quarrel which occurred among the Tyne four while they were in America produced a pair-oared match, in January last, in which Renforth and Kelley rowed right away from Taylor and Winship. These are the chief particulars of the great sculler's short career of triumph. His fame has never been dimmed by the slightest scandal, and in all his races he only knew one way — the way to the winning-post.

9th September 1871

Illustrated London News reported: The body of the late James Renforth arrived at Newcastle on Wednesday last, and was met by several thousand people. The funeral will probably take place on Sunday. No traces of poison were discovered in the stomach, and there can be little doubt that his death arose from natural causes. The misfortunes of Renforth’s crew do not seem to have terminated with the death of their leader, for they lost the great four-oared race at Halifax Regatta owing to a most provoking mistake. Chambers had taken Renforth’s seat as stroke, and John Bright, the spare man, filled the vacant place as No. 2; and this arrangement answered so well that at half distance (the race was six miles) they held a lead of 150 yards. After rounding the turning point, however, they got out of the course, losing at least 200 yards, and enabling Winship’s four to go to the front; and, in spite of the most desperate exertions, Chambers’s men could never recover their lost ground. The great sculling prize was won pretty easily by Joseph Sadler, Kelley being only third, and it is now clear that the former will be the future sculling champion of England.

5th October 1871
Illustrated London News reported: Arrival of the late Champion of England's crew at Newcastle - Henry Kelly, London; Robert Chambers, James Percy and John Bright, Newcastle, the late Champion of England Renforth's crew, arrived at Newcastle from Canada yesterday afternoon. They were met at the railway station by crowds of people who gave them a very hearty welcome. Prior to leaving Quebec on the 23rd ult., a match was almost completed between the English and the St. John crew; the articles were not satisfactory to the Englishmen and as they had arranged to leave the country, the match was not made. Not having had an opportunity of meeting the the St. John crew at any of the late regattas in Canada, the English have issued a challenge to row any crew in the world a four-oared race for £200 a side, in five weeks from the first deposit. It is exceedingly likely that this challenge will be accepted by the second Tyne crew (the victors at Halifax Regatta), namely James Taylor, Joseph Sadler, Robert Bagnall and Thomas Winship. If a match is made, it will be rowed on the Tyne.

23rd November 1871
The Times reported: The Championship of the Tyne - This Wednesday afternoon, the great four-oared race for the Championship and a stake of £400 between the Chambers crew (James Percy, John Bright, Harry Kelly, Robert Chambers); and the Adelaide crew James Taylor, J.H. Sadler, Robert Bagnall, Thomas Winship) was rowed from the High Level Bridge Newcastle to Lemington Point, the course being 4 1/2 miles and it resulted in a victory for the Adelaide Winship crew. These two crews of Tyne oarsmen rowed in several races in the United States and British America during the past summer with varied fortunes. After the death of James Renforth at St. Johns, his crew with their odd man pulled several matches upon the lakes and great rivers of America but with very ill fortune. When the crews returned to England, it was determined to test which was the better and this match was made, but the ill luck which attended the Renforth crew or the Chambers crew appears to have followed them home, for it was stated in the beginning of the week that Percy was suffering from illness and it was feared that Bright was strong enough for his seat.

The betting has been about 5 to 4 in favour of the Chambers crew, however, but a limited amount of money was invested. The morning broke fine but as the day advanced it became overcast and gloomy but after 12 o'clock sleet and rain fell copiously. The race would have been started at twenty minutes past 11 but as consequence of something having gone wrong with the Adelaide's rudder, it was fully an hour after that time before the men got away - as is usual with a great race on the Tyne. Notwithstanding the bad state of the weather, there were immense crowds of persons upon the bridges and bank overlooking the course, and on board numerous steamers upon the river. There was a south-west wind, the water was comparatively smooth and a first rate course was kept.

Mr. J.H. Clasper of Oxford was the Referee and Chambers crew won the choice of sides. The two crews being placed in position, a start was made about twenty minutes past 12. Winship's crew showed some signs of hesitation at the start, which enabled Chambers crew to get well away with about half a length advantage, which they maintained to Wylie's Quay, pulling a long powerful stroke. They maintained this lead to the Skinner Burn. Winship's four had now settled down to a short, sharp regular stroke and putting on a splendid spurt, they rapidly drew upon Chamber's crew. The latter, however, effectually replied and still held their lead at the Grindstone Quay.

A fine smooth stretch of water now lay before the competitors and as money had been invested and depended upon the lead to the Redheugh Bridge, both crews redoubled their exertions in order to accomplish this result for their backers. Between the foot of the bridge and the quay there was a severe struggle, one of the most brilliant sights ever witnessed on the Tyne. Continuing their short stroke with extraordinary rapidity the Winship four inch by inch overhauled their opponents and drew level. Chambers crew never varied their splendid long stroke, while on the other hand, the Winship crew pulled a very quick stroke and the result of this was that they sent their boat gradually in advance, shooting underneath the bridge by a quarter of a length. Winship's crew therefore drew the first money for their backers. They maintained this lead to the Shot Tower.

Passing Cooper's stairs, Chamber's crew drew away and reaping the benefit of the bend to the New Quay corner took up half a length lead. Taylor took his men to the off side to clear the dredger opposite the Gasworks Quay, then quickly set the boat straight again. Chamber's crew at first seemed inclined to go between the dredger and the quay on the northern side but took the off side also. This allowed Winship's crew to draw level and the struggle continued with unabated severity past Waterstone's gates and the Tyne Amateur Rowing Club boathouse and to the foot of Annie Island, where Winship's crew led by two feet. The water between Annie Island and the shore was as smooth as a millpond, with no tide running. On nearing the Annie, Winship's crew were in front and leaving the Annie they were a full length ahead, coming up inside the Meadows Island. The cheering was great; in response to shouts from those on the shore, Chamber's crew put on a slight spurt, the result being that the gap between the boats lessened. In order to clear a wherry lying at Armstrong's Crane, the two boats had to move to the centre of the stream. Passing the west end of the Meadows, the two crews rowed steadily until they reached Messrs Thompson and Scotts Brickworks when Winship's crew put on a spurt and gave Chambers crew their backwash. They passed the Delaval Coal Jetty and headed for the houghs. Winship called upon his men again and passed the Chainbridge a length ahead. In the clear waters of the Scotswood Railway Bridge, another spurt from Chamber's crew reduced the gap and lifted the hopes in the breasts of their many admirers. Their challenge was quickly answered and by the time the Tyne Commission dredgers were reached, the lead was again increased to two or three lengths, with Winship's crew being the winners.

25th November 1871
The London Illustrated News reported: Championship of the Tyne - The meetings of Chambers’ and Winship's races in America were so unsatisfactory, and there was so much feeling between the two crews, that a match was arranged between them immediately on their return to England. It was rowed on Wednesday last, on the Tyne, from the High-Level Bridge to Lemington Point, a distance of about four miles, and attracted an enormous number of spectators. Chambers' crew was the favourite, about 6 to 4 being laid on it. A capital start was effected, Chambers at once taking the lead, and at the end of about 200 yards his boat was nearly a length in front. Then Winship's men settled down to their work and began slowly to draw up; and for nearly a mile the contest was very exciting, each boat alternately holding a slight lead for a few strokes. A fine spurt by Winship now gave him a decided advantage, and at the Meadows House he took his opponent's water. The race was than virtually over, for Chambers' crew could never recover its lost ground, and was beaten by nearly four lengths. The winning four was composed of James Taylor, Joseph Sadler, Robert Bagnall, and Thomas Winship (stroke) ; while Chambers had James Percy, John Bright, and Harry Kelly behind him.

19th April 1873

On Wednesday last, a most important race in open boats took place on the Tyne, between Robert Bagnall and John Bright. The course was from the High-Level bridge to the Scotswood Suspension Bridge, and the former started a very hot favourite at 3 to 1 on him. The result by no means justified these odds, as, after a terrific struggle, the men actively passing and re-passing each other three or four times in the last half-mile, the favourite won by a bare length. Both men were completely rowed out at the finish.

17th June 1879
John Bright was the pilot for Edward Hanlan in the Championship race between Hanlan and William Elliott of Pegswood, aboard the ten-man cutter following the race.

16th November 1880
The Times reported: on the race professional sculling race held on the Thames between Hanlan of Canada and Trickett of Australia that each man was was attended by an eight-oared cutter. John Bright, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, acting as pilot to Hanlan, while Henry Kelly officiated in like manner for Trickett. Hanlan was clearly the better sculler; on five occasions he lay on his back in the boat and allowed Trickett to catch up, then he was off again - an easy winner.

9th April 1881:
Bell's Life reported: "A movement has been set on foot in Newcastle to present John Bright, of The Mushroom, with a testimonial in appreciation of his skill as a sculler, an oarsman and a trainer. Bright's friends think he was hardly dealt with in receiving no pay for his services to Edward Hanlan of Toronto, the present Champion of the World, whom he trained for most of his engagements in England. Messrs W.R. McKenzie of the Black Bull Inn, High Bridge and Christopher Barrass of the Bee Hive Inn, Cloth Market, Newcastle are the joint treasurers to the fund".