Robert Chambers "Honest Bob" 1831-1868

Robert "Honest Bob" Chambers was born on the 14th June 1831 and died aged 37 on the 4th June 1868

1859 - 29th September

The London Illustrated News reported: THE RACE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND - Seldom has a race created more interest or excitement than that of Thursday week between Robert Chambers, the champion of the Tyne, and Henry Kelly, the champion of the Thames. The contest was for £4OO and the championship, it may be said, of both rivers. Kelly first came into notice as a sculler in 1852 by winning the Apprentices‘ Race at the Thames Regatta: two years afterwards he carried off the Picked Scullers' Prize at the same meeting, and renewed his conquest the following year, but was disqualified, owing to a foul, defeating on each occasion well-known and well—tried men. After some other races he acquired the proud distinction of "Champion of the Thames" in May 1857. by beating James Messenger, the then possessor of it, from which time he has not been engaged in a sculler's match until Thursday week.

Robert Chambers, of Newcastle, first distinguished himself as a sculler in 1853 in a contest with Shaftoe, a famous man of the north; and in 1356, to the surprise of all the Londoners, carried off the Scullers Prize at the Thames Regatta. In 1857 he again won the same prize, has been repeatedly successful at provincial aquatic meetings, and has, in four-cared crews, won, we believe, no less than four races for the champion prize of that class in London. The present race originated in a recent gallant contest on the Tyne, wherein Chambers defeated White, of Bermondsey, who was considered nearly as good as Kelly; that victory was considered by Chambers‘ friends but as the stepping-stone to the championship, and they forthwith backed him for £200 some months ago, during which interval both.men have been in active training.

The course was from Putney to Mortlake, and thousands of persons, equestrian and pedestrian, lined the shores and towing-path; there were fourteen steam-boats engaged to accompany the race, some of which were so crowded that they toppled under their burden upon deck; and there were hundreds of small boats‘ crews, unmindful of the peril in which they were placed by the moving mass of steamers. The umpires were Harry Clasper for Chambers, and Stephen Salter for Kelly; Mr E. Searle being referee. The start did not take place until Kelly had been at the station above a quarter of an hour, and when Chambers appeared there was a delay on the part of the other man. Both looked very confident. Chambers is the same age as his opponent (twenty—eight), is 5' 9%" in height and weighs 11st.; he rowed without a guernsey. Kelly is 5' 8%" high, and weighed half a stone less than his opponent. The men were not long in preparation, nor did they make any false start. Betting at that moment was 6 to 4 on Kelly, although more or less odds had been previously given by those anxious to get money on the event. They started at a quarter-past four at the same instant, and as level as men could be, Chambers with the inside station, on the Middlesex shore. They rowed scull and scull to opposite the Star and Garter, where they began to decrease the distance at which they had started apart, and, Chambers having to pull his left hand strongly to escape a barge a little in his way, they became much closer abeam, and it was feared that there would be a foul. Having passed the barge, Chambers used his right hand too strongly, and hugged the Middlesex shore very closely, and, Kelly keeping close to his man, they were so near each other that the blades of their sculls intersected. Chambers then began to draw a slight lead, and in the next minute it was marked and decisive, for, before they reached Craven, Chambers had drawn himself clear, and presently took his opponent's water. Six to one was freely offered upon Chambers at this point of the race, and no takers. At every stroke, Chambers went further away from his man. He was four lengths ahead at Hammersmith Bridge, and easing occasionally through the heavy water in Carney Reach, ultimately won by twenty lengths, doing the distance, with a bad tide, in twenty-five minutes twenty-five seconds. Large sums of money changed owners upon the event.

Robert Chambers Memorial, sited in Walker Churchyard

London Illustrated News reported "A monument has been erected over the tomb of the late Robert Chambers, the renowned Tyneside waterman, who held the championship of England for aquatic skill and prowess. It stands in the Walker churchyard at Newcastle where the ceremony of unveiling the monument was performed, some weeks ago, in the presence of many spectators, after a suitable address by the Rev R. Thompson, incumbent of the church in that suburb. The monument is well placed, on a slightly-elevated piece of ground. It is composed entirely of Prudham stone of the_best quality; it is 18 ft. high, 9ft. long, 6ft. wide at the base and consists of three divisions. The first part is a pedestal, with buttresses on the angles, 6ft. 6in. from the ground, on which is placed a statue of Chambers. Reclining from each angle of the pedestal are four jambs, with columns, and capitals, foliated, 4 ft.from the top of the pedestal, and on which rests the canopy covering the statue. The canopy is constructed in five parts - viz., four springers springing from ea¢h column forming four arches, and surmounted with a large block forming the four keystones, with roof and gablets, enriched with spandrils, with monogram of "R.C." and some foliage; the gablets ornamented with crockets and finials, and the'roof of hie monument is carved with ornamental slates to give variety of effect. It required the weight of 36 tons of stone to execute the whole design". Sadly the memorial has since been vandalised and is in a poor state.

1860 - 18th September

Chambers beat T. White for the Championship of England over the Putney to Mortlake course

1863 - 14th April

Chambers beat G.W. Everson for the Championship of England over the Putney to Mortlake course

1863 - 15th June

Chambers beat R.A.W. Green for the Championship of England over the Putney to Mortlake course

1865 - 8th August

Chambers lost to H. Kelley for the Championship of England over the Putney to Mortlake course

1866 - 22nd November

Chambers beat J.H. Sadler for the Championship of England over the Putney to Mortlake course

1867 - 6th May

Chambers lost to H. Kelley for the Championship of England over the Tyne Championship course