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. Deceased was a member of the Elfin Rowing Club, and 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