Robert Watson Boyd

The Tees once had its professional sculling champion - Robert Watson Boyd - whose gravestone in a Middlesbrough cemetery is quite ornate. Though not of the same standard or as famous as his Tyneside counterparts his funeral was attended by thousands.

Boyd raced Thomas Hanlan for the championship of the world and there are commemorative glasses that were cast for the race. Glasses were made for another of Boyd’s races but they are rare.

Boyd featured in a race involving Alexander Hogarth who was immortalised in a Joe Wilson song “Champion of the Wear”.