St. Lawrence Rowing Club

The St. Lawrence Rowing Club was established in 1868 and was based at St. Lawrence (near Walker) on the River Tyne. It would appear that this original St. Lawrence RC became defunct and a new St. Lawrence RC came into being in 1912 according to newspaper reports (see below February 1912). Care should be taken not to confuse either of these clubs with the St. Lawrence Rowing Club at Greenock in Scotland.

25th January 1869
The Newcastle Journal reported:
St. Lawrence Rowing Club. A four-oared match amongst eight members of this new institution took place on Saturday, in James Hall’s open boats, the "James Baird" and "William Blakey". The course was three-quarters of a mile. Amongst a certain class the race caused part-interest, and the stern and plucky manner in which it was rowed, pleased the spectators. The following was the position of the contending craft in passing the goal:- The "James Baird" - William Taylor, J. Turnbull, J. Wilthew, and J. Rebair, 1; The "William Blakey" - Joseph Bright, William Soulsby, R. Kelley, and L. Bell, 2. After making a good start, Bright’s crew plied their oars rapidly, and took a lead of rather more than quarter of a length, but by downright hard rowing Taylor and partners pulled up level opposite to Harry Clasper’s Hostelry, and having given the others a clean and clever go-by, finally won the race by upwards of couple of lengths; a spirited match having been witnessed throughout.

31st May 1869
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle reported:
Mr. Taylor has also launched two new open boats for the St. Lawrence Rowing Club, a very recently-established aquatic institution, but boasting of at the present time twenty members. The boats, which are both models of Mr. Taylor's skill, are alike in size, being 21 feet long, 21 1/2 inches wide amidships, 12 inches high at the stem, 9 inches at the centre, and 11 inches at the stern.

20th February 1912
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle reported:NEW BOATHOUSE FOR ST. LAWRENCE - There was a good beat up of local oarsmen on Saturday afternoon, in connection with the opening fo a new boathouse by Councillor Arthur Scott. Mr. Scott, in his opening remarks, referred to the good judgement of Jas. Taylor in selecting a site in such an ideal position and hoped local rowers would rally round him in his efforts to encourage the healthy exercise of sculling. The boats were then launched, the following engaged in trial spins: J. Atkinson, H. Miller, R. Bagnall, R. Gordon and A. Darby. Twenty five members have already been enrolled in the new club which will be carried on under the name of "St. Lawrence Rowing Club" and will be under the supervision of Mr. Thomas Taylor, who has had such a wide experience in rowing. The following official shave been elected - Captain: J.H. Atkinson; Treasurer: Thomas Taylor (Senior), Secretary: H. Miller, 9 Cullercoats Street, Byker.

June 1913
The Club is recorded as entering the Durham Regatta in 1913.