Elfin Amateur Rowing Club

23rd August 1867:
The Newcastle Courant reported:
A YOUNG MAN DROWNED - On Friday afternoon a young man, named Thomas Oliver, 21 years of age, was drowned near to Clasper's Boathouse, Newcastle. The deceased was engaged in the machine department of the Chronicle Office, and was member of the Elfin Rowing Club. He was practising boating to compete in a forthcoming sculling handicap. After pulling vigorously a little while, he thought his boat was sinking from it having shipped a little water, and he rose to his feet as if to leap into the water and make for the shore. The boat was capsized, and the young man sunk. A fruitless attempt was made to save the unfortunate lad, who was unable to swim. His body was afterwards recovered by means of grappling irons. On Saturday evening an inquest was held before the coroner (J. T. Hoyle, Esq.), when a verdict of "Accidentally drowned " was returned

The Edinburgh Daily Review reported - A melancholy accident occurred in the Tyne, near to Clasper's Boathouse, Newcastle, or Friday afternoon. A young man named Thomas Oliver, about 21 years of age, had taken out a pleasure boat from the boathouse of the Elfin Rowing Club (of which he was a member) for practice to compete in a forthcoming scull handicap. For a time he pulled about stream vigorously, and as there was a strong "Upper' on his craft shipped a quantity of water. Thinking, probably, that his boat was sinking, Oliver rose to his feet as if to jump out, and make an attempt to reach the shore. Unfortunately, however, the boat capsized, and Oliver was thrown into the water. A strong current ran at the time, and the poor fellow was washed away and quickly sunk. Every endeavour to save him was futile.

19th November 1868
The Newcastle Journal reported on a CHALLENGE:
T. Clark, of Newcastle, will row W. Winter, late of the Elfin Rowing Club, one or two miles, in Percy’s open boats, for £5 side; or T.C. will join in a sweepstake with J. Patterson, Newcastle, and Clark, of Gateshead. The above match and sweepstake can be made any night this week, J. Brumwell’s Tyneside Inn, Tyneside Terrace.