Tynemouth Rowing Club

Tynemouth Rowing Club was founded in 1867. Their most famous rower was probably William Fawcus who won the Diamond Sculls at Henley Regatta in 1871

Formation of the Club

(taken from a newspaper report of the time)

"A preliminary meeting of the promoters of an Amateur Rowing Club to be formed at Tynemouth was held last night in the Bath Hotel of that place. Mr A. S. Stevenson occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of gentlemen interested in the formation of the club.

Mr Stanley Kewney, having read the circular convening the meeting, The CHAIRMAN said he rejoiced very much to see so large an attendance on the resent occasion, for it spoke well for the success of the club. He would detail the steps that had been taken in the matter by his friends Mr Stanley Kewney and Mr Brown, secretaries. They had in the first instance written to the Local Board of Health, who had referred them to the Board of Ordnance, from whom a letter was received a proving of the scheme, referring the matter to its commandant of engineers at Manchester. Mr Leitch had placed himself in communication with Colonel W. E. D. Boughton, the officer referred to, from whom a letter was received asking what accommodation was required, and to forward a sketch and plans of their house.

This was done, and in reply they received a letter from General Peel, which granted them leave to build a house in Prior’s Haven, at the nominal rental of 5s per annum, the club agreeing on their part to remove the erection whenever they should be required to do so by the authorities at the War Office. Their position at this time was this: They had received permission to build a house in Prior’s Haven, which would be sufficiently commodious, and have all the advantages they would require, and having a strong body of supporters of boat rowing, there was no reason the club should not be a successful one. He would give it all the assistance in his power.

The position was a most favourable one for a rowing club, for they had the offer of a suitable place or their boat house, they had the sea close by, and having plenty of energetic members, there was no reason for the club to be otherwise than a great success.

Mr Wu. CREIGHTON proposed the first resolution, which was “That the Rowing Club be formed in Tynemouth, and that it be called the “Borough of Tynemouth Rowing Club”. He could not say anything more than their chairman had already said. He thought the intended position for the boat house of the club—between the Baths and the Lifeboat House—was a very favourable one indeed.

Mr T. Dryden seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN remarked that he might state some of the objects of the Club. In the first place they wished to erect a large boat house, and they wished to erect a house for the members to sit in, which would be sufficiently large that the members might sit in it comfortably and have a good sea view. It would have a lavatory, and they had at one time thought they might have baths attached to; but they had the baths close by, and they might be entering into opposition with them. They had at one time thought they might have boats, but these would be perhaps interfered with the boats kept by the Frys close by. They did not wish to interfere with the proprietors of the baths or the Frys. Indeed they wished to make them their allies instead of their enemies.

Mr P. Messent then moved “That a committee, a treasurer, and a secretary be appointed to receive subscriptions, to draw up rules, and otherwise to carry out the objects of this meeting, and that the following gentlemen form a committee (pro. Tem.), viz.. Alexander S. Stevenson, William Crighton, P.J. Messent, Jacob Burnett, C. U. Laws, George Little, William Wright, W. H. Fawcus, Thomas Dickinson, George Tyzack, W. H. Scott, Thomas Dryden, Edward Glynn, jun., I. Brown, Stanley Kewney (secretary and treasurer.)

He thought the resolution required no remarks. He was sorry to say that he had not had anything to do with the movement hitherto ; but he had been informed of it half an hour ago by his friend Mr Stevenson, and he could only say that if he could do anything for the Club in his official capacity upon the piers he would be happy to do it. (Applause.)

Mr Stanley Metcalfe seconded the motion.

The CHAIRMAN in putting the motion to the meeting said a few of his Newcastle friends had expressed themselves very favourably to this movement, and they thought at one time it might be desirable to put some of the Newcastle men upon the committee. They had determined however to let the club rest on its merits, believing it would get plenty of support from the Newcastle visitors. The chairman then said they had tried to get some estimate as to what the erection of such a house as they required would cost, and Mr Joseph Robinson had drawn out a plan, and formed a rough estimate of the building. He (the Chairman) thought the club should have a house where a good view of the sea, the piers, and their craft could be obtained, and the building ought to be an ornament to the haven. He had little doubt they would get the necessary subscriptions for the building of this house, so that they would not have to trench upon the regular subscriptions of the club. The boat house would be 60 feet long, and 25 feet in breadth at one end. Of the whole length, 48 feet would be devoted to the boat house, the remaining 12 feet forming a dressing room, with lavatory, etc.

Mr E. GLYNN, jun., moved “That a subscription be opened to defray the cost of the boat-house and other expenses incurred in the establishment of the club”. In a place like Tynemouth there could be little doubt that this club would be very favourably received and well supported.

From the form of the motion he had proposed it was evident there would have to be two subscription lists; one for the expenses incurred in establishing the club, and the other for the ordinary members’ subscriptions.

Mr J. F. SPENCE, jun., seconded the motion.

The CHAIRMAN said there would be two lists of subscriptions, as stated by Mr Glynn. They had not determined what would be the annual subscription, but he thought it would be about a guinea. They would require a large number of boats; there would have to be eight-oared boats, and also boats in which a single member might pull out in. The boats would not be mere skifis, but would be adapted to go to sea in all states of the weather. The present was but a preliminary meeting. and no doubt at a subsequent meeting they would be able to do much more towards putting the club in a working condition. The sum of £46 was subscribed in the room, Mr A. S. Stevenson heading the list with £10, and thirty-five names were entered as members of the club.

A vote of thanks having been unanimously accorded to the chairman, the proceedings terminated".

Chronological timeline

2nd August 1870
Newcastle Daily Chronicle reported on a new fine four oared boat built by Robert Jewitt for Tynemouth RC, based on the model of the “Tyne”, which was the boat Jewitt built for Renforth’s crew in 1869 (Renforth book P75-80). This is relevant because he also built a very fine boat for South Shields RC, perhaps around the same time or soon after, which they later loaned to Renforth’s crew in 1871.

10th August 1870
Newcastle Daily Chronicle account of York Regatta. Tynemouth RC won the LONDESBOROUGH cup.

29th December 1870
“AQUATICS -The Amateur Clubs of the Tyne” (Newcastle Daily Chronicle P4 col3)
the report on SSARC included references to Tynemouth. “……. Strong in numbers, and – if we may judge by the amount of money expended on the Club Regatta – strong in funds stands the South Shields Rowing Club. This is also an association of only two years standing, but under the able tuition of their tutor, George Wakefield, many of the members have made considerable progress in the art of rowing. As their rowing ground is on the sea their class of boats is much the same as that of the Tynemouth Club. I believe, however, an attempt is to be made to get a crew together for the Tyne Regatta, in June next year. Whether the plan commenced by the Tynemouth Club of having a branch establishment at Newcastle will be followed, or the members will be content to do their rowing at the mouth of the river, I cannot say. If the latter, they can hardly look for much success. There may be times when the river is sufficiently quiet to admit of a comfortable row in fine boats, but I should think that such opportunities will be very scarce. I would advise the members, therefore, if they wish to pursue fine boat rowing, to follow the plan which has been so successful with their neighbours.”…….. SCOTSWOOD.

The amateur clubs are treated in order of foundation:
Tyne Amateur Rowing Club - 1852
Tynemouth Rowing Club - 1867
St. Bede (Jarrow) - 1868
South Shields Rowing Club - 1868
Newcastle Amateur Rowing Club - 1869

1975
The Club purchased the heavy four "Old Elvet" from Durham ARC