Newcastle Sculling Challenge Cup

The Newcastle Sculling Challenge Cup was held in March 1877

Bells Life 24th March 1877 reported:
The trial heats for the Newcastle Sculling Challenge Cup, a magnificent trophy valued at £100, offered for competition by the proprietors of the Newcastle Daily Chronicle, were brought off on Saturday afternoon upon the Tyne, from the Mansion House to Scotswood Suspension Bridge; but the races were neither so interesting nor exciting as may have been expected, considering the talent engaged. The challenging and counter-challenging which went on between Boyd and Higgins after the former had won the scullers race at the Thames International Regatta, in which each stood out for a match upon his own river, may have been said to have induced the promoters of this event to step in and settle the difficulty. In addition to the cup, they offered £100 in prizes; £50 to the winner, £30 for the second and £20 for the third and in addition the winner takes £10 deposited by each man, but even this liberality on the part of our northern contemporary failed to draw the Thames men to this scene of action. True, Thomas Blackman of Dulwich was amongst the six original entries, but he and Robert Chambers of Wallsend withdrew from the race; the first named on account of his race with Lumsden next month and the latter because he was in no form at all.

The other four, however, went into close training and they did quite as much work as if they were engaged in important matches. Boyd went to Mrs.Gibson's, The Ord Arms Inn at Scotswood, with James Talbot of Newcastle as trainer, Nicholson trained from the residence of James Percy and had that gentleman as mentor. Lumsden and Elliott trained together from a private house in Gateshead in company with John R. Hymes of Stockton.

From the first, Boyd was a warm favourite for the event. 5 to 4, 6 to 4, and in a few cases 7 to 4 being laid on him while Nicholson had a lot of friends at 3 to 1 and 5 to 2, but 4 to 1 and 20 to 1 were the nominal prices of Lumsden and Elliott respectively, neither of the latter being supported much. During the early part of the afternoon, the weather was fine but cold and a grand tide rolled swiftly upwards; but just about the time the men put off for the first heat a heavy gale of wind sprung up from the west and hail fell smartly. There was an enormous attendance of spectators and the bridges and the haughs right up to Scotswood were crowded with people, in similar style as they used to be in the days of Clasper, Chambers, Renforth and other famed northern scullers. The scene upon the river was also an animated one, and six heavily laden steamers lying off in attendance, while a number of screw hoppers also took up such positions in the procession as the admirable regulations of Superintendent Stephens of the River Police would allow them to occupy. Mr. Thomas Jones of the Newcastle Amateur Rowing Club was Umpire and Mr. Thomas Swaddle the distance judge. Details of the racing are subjoined:

Heat 1
W. Nicholson (Stockton)........1
W. Elliott (Pegswood)..........2

Nicholson was afloat in good time in his new Swaddle & Winship, but it was some while before Elliott could get seated in his John Lawrence, built by Clasper, to his entire satisfaction. When the toss for the sides took place the water was quite smooth and a good tide running upwards, so had the state of affairs continued, there would be little to choose between the stations. The spin of the coin was in favour of Nicholson and barely had this little matter been decided than a strong squall of wind sprung up, accompanied by a sharp shower of hail and the river became incredibly rough, so that the Stockton man reaped a considerable advantage of shelter on the north. At one time, before making a move for the steamers, a little business was done over the heat at 2 to 1 and 5 to 2 on Nicholson, but when he won the toss the odds on him increased to 3 to 1 and 4 to 1, which prices however, did not lead to speculation. Elliott stripped in the very pink of condition, but although Nicholson rowed in a light body shirt, he was evidently cherry ripe. At the second attempt they came to an understanding by mutual consent, and at the time the Pegswood man was lying three or four feet in advance, but Nicholson was at his work in a moment and working with a stroke of forty to the minute with marvellous efficiency, he closed with his opponent before they had gone 50 yards and shot half a length in front off Davidson's Mill. Up to this point he had had a good deal of the best of the water, but then got it rough alike, and Elliott spurting through the waves reduced the gap to a 1/4 of a length in the next few strokes. Nicholson, however, would not have him at such close quarters, and dashing along at top speed he drew 3/4 length off Wylie's Quay. Here, a heavy roller caught Elliott's right-hand scull and the button got fast in the rowlock. He shook it loose but before he got fairly set going again, Nicholson had drawn himself clear and having now the best of the water he made his advantage a length and a half by the Skinner Burn.

Elliott laboured heavily in the rough but at the foot of the Grindstone Quay he made another magnificent dash and sent the nose of his boat up level with the stern of his opponent's boat. Nicholson, however, responded in grand style and the pair raced along the side of the quay at a terrific bat, but Nicholson had the pace of his man, and at the head of the quay had 2 lengths. Elliott never slackened for an instant, but he could not prevent the favourite from his advantage into three lengths and with that lead, the Stockton man passed under the Redheugh bridge three length in front - Time 3 mins 23 secs. The next sheet of water was terribly heavy rowing and both men shot across to the north shore for the benefit of the shelter but Nicholson was still going a trifle faster and at the Shot Tower he had four lengths. Finding he had the measure of his opponent, he dropped from 40 to 36 strokes per minute and at that rate of striking fully maintained his advantage to the New Quay Corner, but rounding the bend, both encountered fearful water and the seas frequently broke completely over them. One large wave caught Nicholson so hard that his boat trembled again and he was brought to a standstill.

Elliott made best progress through the rough and opposite the Elswick boathouse the Stockton man had only a couple of lengths but then he got his craft nicely in hand again, and sending her along nicely again, there were three lengths by the Gasworks Quay. This lead he maintained to the Elswick Gangway (time 7 mins 2 secs) but Elliott, then in midstream, got an advantage in the state of the water, and spurting with great power, did not leave off until the favourite's lead was down to one length. There was then a better stretch of water before the men, but Nicholson held his lead to the east end of Sir William Armstrong's works, where Elliott eased a little and the favourite kept three lengths. Nicholson extended his lead to 4 lengths by the Meadows House. Here, for the first time, Elliott began to hang out signals of distress and Nicholson had six lengths, the best of it at the head of the meadows. A further patch of rough water and Nicholson led by twelve lengths by which time Elliott was completely done with and stopped altogether at the Northern Rowing Club boathouse where he housed his boat. Nicholson continued alone but he made a mistake just at the bridge where he almost toppled in the water.

Heat 2
Robert W. Boyd, Gateshead .........1
William Lumsden, Blyth.............2

Boyd was prepared for this heat when the official steamer returned from Scotswood, but Lumsden did not put in an appearance for some time afterwards. The water between the High Level and Redheugh bridges was in even worse condition than in the previous race and it was like a perfect sea of rollers. The toss for the sides was a matter of some importance and the spinning of the coin was in favour of Boyd, who of course, selected the inside berth. He rowed in the Hannah, a new boat built especially for him by Swaddle & Winship and Lumsden was seated in Old England, the shell provided for him by John H. Clasper of Oxford, for his match against Trickett. Boyd was made a strong favourite and for a long time 3 to 1 was offered on him, but without eliciting a response. Of a sudden, however, friends of Lumsden made a move and they freely accepted 5 to 2 up to the finish. They lost no time in stripping and although, to our fancy, Lumsden looked a little light, he was hard and ruddy, while Boyd was evidently trained to the hour, the muscle standing out in prominent bosses in the right places. When they set themselves at their stakeboats, there were three breaks away, but at the fourth attempt, Lumsden poached about a 1/4 length off the start. Boyd, however, instantly settled down to a dash of 44 strokes per minute and pulling them right through, quickly closed the gap then took a lead of half a length in 50 yards. Lumsden, who had a good deal of the worst of the water, worked steadily along at 40 strokes to the minute, but then he quickened a little and reduced the advantage of his opponent to a 1/4 length off Davidson's Mill. The moment he eased down, however, Boyd drew away from him and being in comparative smooth water, whilst Lumsden laboured hard amongst the rough, he made his advantage of 3/4 length off Wylie's Quay.

Lumsden rowed very prettily indeed but in the next few strokes he went right into a heap of floating rubbish, which brought him to a standstill, and after he had got through it, some of it remained entangled in his left hand rowlock and he had to stop again, Boyd, who had got away with a two length lead eased up considerably when he saw the accident, but Lumsden was at his work within a moment and sculling with remarkable calmness given the circumstances, he prevented Boyd from getting any further away for the time being. At the Skinner Burn, the favourite, with his two-length lead went over to the north shore for shelter and obtained pretty fair rowing, while Lumsden sculled along neatly in the rough.

The positions of the competitors were unchanged at Grindstone Quay and they both dropped down to 38 per minute. A grand race between the pair resulted up to Redheugh Bridge but Boyd spurted as he neared it and was 3 lengths in front. Time 3 min 55 secs. The favourite had become compelled to come outside of the northern pillar of the bridge, but he then shot again over to the north side for shelter and sweeping along in fine style made the gap into four lengths at the Shot Tower. Lumsden then appeared to tire a little, and Boyd who kept bursting along at 38 to the minute led by half a dozen lengths at Coopers Stairs. There was an immense crowd on the banks at this point and when Boyd's forward position was observed, there was quite a roar of applause. In response to the shouts of the crowds the Gateshead man gave an exhibition of his skill and did not leave off until he gained a lead of eight lengths. Lumsden was clearly outpaced and even when Boyd settled to his long stroke, he was much the faster. From this point up Waterman's Gates, the water continued rough for both men and Boyd increased his lead to 10 lengths. It is quite unnecessary to to attempt further description of a most uninteresting race for although Lumsden rowed with all accustomed prettiness, he lacked power. Boyd continued in much improved form and at the Meadows he was nearly a couple of hundred yards in front. The Gateshead man then dropped down to a light paddle and made a finish of it, winning by two lengths. Time 14 mins 50 secs.

Final Heat
R.W. Boyd............1
W. Nicholson..........2

This heat was adjourned until 5pm on Monday afternoon and in the interval it became evident that Boyd would become a warmer favourite than ever. Saturday night we saw 7 to 4 laid three times but at the close of the evening £50 to £15 was wagered. On Monday morning however, there was a reaction in favour of Nicholson and at one time 5 to 2 was taken kindly about the Stockton man. This price was on offer as they mustered aboard the official steamer and for a time it was taken kindly, but at the finish 3 to 1 was laid on the Gateshead sculler. There was a marked improvement in the weather and the suns shone forth with great brilliancy, but there was a total absence of wind and in it's higher reaches of the river, the conditions were at their finest. Between the Redheugh and High Level bridges the water was badly broken up by steamers and other craft in attendance, and for a little over a quarter of a mile the work was rather heavy. There was again a very large turnout of spectators but the number was scarcely up to the enormous number on Saturday. Nine steamers laden with passengers accompanied the race and the most lively excitement prevailed as the time approached for the great struggle. Punctual to the minute, Boyd put off in his own boathouse at Hillgate, and owing to the recent lamented death of his father, was attired in mourning rowing costume. Nicholson was not forward to time and thus there was a delay of something like ten minutes before both weer fairly afloat. The toss favoured Boyd, who selected the north side but there was little, if anything, to choose between the stations. The instant they set themselves at their stakeboats, they came to an understanding and and dashed away at a terrific rate of going. Nicholson was lying with the nose of his boat in advance when the start was made and at once breaking into a spurt of 40 fast, but well finished, strokes to the minute he made his advantage into half a length before they got 50 yards Boyd, who had one sprung scull, was afraid to lash out in his customary manner but directly he got the boat fairly in hand. he settled down to a marvellous 44 strokes to the minute and at once rushed up to his opponents bows.

For a moment they raced together on even terms, but Boyd had now settled fairly to his work and launching out full of fire, he showed a 1/4 length in front before more than three hundred yards had been covered. Both had so far steered beautifully straight courses, but Nicholson then began to edge a little over towards the north and Boyd, without altering his track, was enabled to take his lead to 1/2 length by the Skinner Burn. The pace continued something frightful and neither man attempted to slacken in the slightest degree, but Boyd, whose finish it was a treat to see, gradually shook off his opponent and at the foot of the Grindstone Quay he had a length the best of it. Nicholson, however, stuck to him tenaciously, and the Gateshead Champion was unable to get further away. Boyd maintained his advantage for the next 200 yards but a similar accident to that which befell Lumsden on Saturday then began to jeopardise his chance. A long string of floating rubbish, evidently the refuse of some shipbuilding yard, lay straight in front of the Gateshead sculler and but for the timely warning of Robert Bagnall, his pilot, he would have been brought to a standstill. Smartly answering the signals, Boyd was taken through the thinnest part of the obstruction and when he landed safely at the other side, there was an enthusiastic cheer from his supporters. The Gateshead lad had lost a little fo his lead but he dashed away again with all pressure on and reached the Redheugh Bridge with a lead of one and a quarter lengths. Boyd began to creep further ahead after leaving the bridge and on the part of Nicholson his pace fell off considerably falling behind by three lengths at the Shot Tower. Boyd then eased down to his long stroke and maintained his advantage to Coopers Stairs but all of a sudden Nicholson quickened up and before the spectators were aware of it he had the lead down to one length. Boyd did not attempt to reply until the New Quay corner, where he put in a powerful half dozen, but then Nicholson was manifestly beginning to tire and even when the Gateshead man was rowing long, he continued to widen the gap so that half way up the Gasworks Quay he was 2 1/2 lengths to the good.

The Stockton sculler could only make up half a length but it was evident that Boyd now had the measure of him. Crossing over to the Meadows side, Robert crossed over and gave his man a staggering backwash, which Nicholson not liking, pulled his left quite strongly to get out of it, but Boyd followed him over and lining him truly, continued his tactics. Nicholson feebly spurted a few times after Armstrong's Shear Legs but he was never really dangerous and Boyd rowing strongly one, made his advantage six lengths when they got to the Meadow House. Although a beaten and outpaced man, Nicholson struggled in pursuit with gameness, but Boyd still maintained going the faster and at Paradise Quay was 8 lengths ahead before easing up to allow Nicholson to come back before spurting away again to win by 5 lengths in 25 min 45 secs. The winner had not a hair turned and such was the splendid condition of Nicholson that he was not so distressed as he might have been. Boyd never rowed in such grand form as he did in this competition and there seems nothing more for him but another match against John Higgins of Shadwell. Before the final heat, Mr. W.R. McKenzie of Newcastle stated that, win or not, he was prepared to stake £50 for Boyd to row any man in England for £200 a side.

The heat for the third prize of £20 was won by Lumsden who beat Elliott by 3/4 of a length, but as both lads are members of one school, the race between them did not excite any interest. The pair fouled and Elliott would have been entitled to the money upon it, but he did not claim before getting out of his boat.