Blades & Bumps Suppers
by William O'Chee
Historically, the original recognition of achievement was not the awarding of blades, but a supper. The first such supper recorded appears to be that given for the 1845 Childe of Hale. An account appears in both the Boat Club Minute Book, and also in Bell’s Life.
This is the account:
Historically, the original recognition of achievement was not the awarding of blades, but a supper. The first such supper recorded appears to be that given for the 1845 Childe of Hale. An account appears in both the Boat Club Minute Book, and also in Bell’s Life.
This is the account:
THE Brasenose SUPPER.
To the Editor of Bells Life.
Mr. EDITOR,
On Friday evening, the 23rd May, one of the most gratifying spectacles ever presented to the lovers of aquatic sports was exhibited by the members of Brasenose College. It is needless to say how much the University and the aquatic world at large are indebted to those gentlemen for their general patronage of the manly exercise of rowing, so we will but call to mind that the well-known names of Cocks, Walls, Meynell, Royds, names "familiar in our mouths as household words", all earned their laurels during their residence at Brasenose. It is four years since this college was last head of the river, a position which it then maintained for a period unparalleled in boating annals. This year, however, they again hold the "pride of place", and a finer crew never put foot to stretcher. On Friday evening, to celebrate this event the members of this spirited college entertained their aquatic friends in a most sumptuous manner at supper, where a goodly muster of the gallant sons of Isis enjoyed their hospitality. Covers were laid for 150, and a more convivial party never assembled. Their venerable hall was most tastefully decorated for the occasion with the college flags and flowers elegantly arranged, while the supper and wines were of the first order. The Chair was most ably filled by Mr. Tuke, the Captain of the Childe of Hale, the Brasenose boat, and it was most gratifying to all to see him supported on the right by the Rev. J. Cocks, for several years the Captain of the boat when last in its glory. Nor must we omit to mention the presence of Mr. Meynell, well-known on the London river, who has long been a cordial supporter of the aquatic fame of his college. The “Queen” was the first toast proposed, which was received with unabated Oxford loyalty. Then followed the “Principal and Fellows of Brasenose”, amongst whom was honourably mentioned the name of Buckley, now a respected tutor of the College and once its stroke. “University Crew”, the “Glorious Seven Oars at Henley”, “Mr. Harris the present stroke of Brasenose”, “Mr. Hervey the steerer” (on whose excellent arrangements on the present occasion the comfort and pleasure of the guests had so mainly depended), and many other toasts followed in rapid succession, which were all with no less warmth responded to than received. Several excellent songs also followed in the evening's entertainment. The meeting separated shortly before three, after one of the most magnificent and hospitable entertainments ever witnessed within the walls of Alma Mater.
Yours, etc.,
CORRESPONDENT.
To the Editor of Bells Life.
Mr. EDITOR,
On Friday evening, the 23rd May, one of the most gratifying spectacles ever presented to the lovers of aquatic sports was exhibited by the members of Brasenose College. It is needless to say how much the University and the aquatic world at large are indebted to those gentlemen for their general patronage of the manly exercise of rowing, so we will but call to mind that the well-known names of Cocks, Walls, Meynell, Royds, names "familiar in our mouths as household words", all earned their laurels during their residence at Brasenose. It is four years since this college was last head of the river, a position which it then maintained for a period unparalleled in boating annals. This year, however, they again hold the "pride of place", and a finer crew never put foot to stretcher. On Friday evening, to celebrate this event the members of this spirited college entertained their aquatic friends in a most sumptuous manner at supper, where a goodly muster of the gallant sons of Isis enjoyed their hospitality. Covers were laid for 150, and a more convivial party never assembled. Their venerable hall was most tastefully decorated for the occasion with the college flags and flowers elegantly arranged, while the supper and wines were of the first order. The Chair was most ably filled by Mr. Tuke, the Captain of the Childe of Hale, the Brasenose boat, and it was most gratifying to all to see him supported on the right by the Rev. J. Cocks, for several years the Captain of the boat when last in its glory. Nor must we omit to mention the presence of Mr. Meynell, well-known on the London river, who has long been a cordial supporter of the aquatic fame of his college. The “Queen” was the first toast proposed, which was received with unabated Oxford loyalty. Then followed the “Principal and Fellows of Brasenose”, amongst whom was honourably mentioned the name of Buckley, now a respected tutor of the College and once its stroke. “University Crew”, the “Glorious Seven Oars at Henley”, “Mr. Harris the present stroke of Brasenose”, “Mr. Hervey the steerer” (on whose excellent arrangements on the present occasion the comfort and pleasure of the guests had so mainly depended), and many other toasts followed in rapid succession, which were all with no less warmth responded to than received. Several excellent songs also followed in the evening's entertainment. The meeting separated shortly before three, after one of the most magnificent and hospitable entertainments ever witnessed within the walls of Alma Mater.
Yours, etc.,
CORRESPONDENT.
The awarding of blades is unmentioned, and seems to have arisen about then, or some time in the following twenty years. The creation of souvenirs, or memento triumphi, is well known from the 1840s. For example, the College at some stage had the bow of the Oxford boat rowed by the “Glorious Seven Oars” at Henley (a race between OUBC and CUBC in 1843 in which Oxford won with only seven oarsmen after the OUBC President collapsed before the race, and Cambridge would not allow him to be replaced!)
I believe the creation of trophy oars dates from around this time.
Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the entitlement to win blades at BNC was clear. The historical requirement for College crews has always been to either:
The second qualification is quite interesting, as in the 1920s and 30s the O.U.B.C. Fours was considered sufficiently important that the winners would be entitled to election to Leander Club.
The winning of blades by making four bumps also needs to be taken in context. Until 1953 Eights were rowed over six days, as Torpids was until 1955. That meant a crew only needed to get four bumps over six days to win blades up until this time.
There is also some evidence that the entitlement was a little more elastic than just this. In fact, there is at least one case where a crew won blades with only three bumps, which was the 1892 2nd Torpid. I cover this in the BNCBC history.
This is from the history manuscript:
The Minute Book for 1892 is also interesting in that it provides the first record of a crew being awarded blades for something other than going head, or winning at Henley. Having started at seventeenth on the river, the 2nd Torpid rowed over for the first three days before bumping Pembroke, Hertford and Trinity on successive nights to finish in fourteenth position, and therefore last boat in the first division.
The exact rules regarding this honour are not well elucidated by the records, the Minute Book merely stating that “The 2nd Torpid were presented with their oars on the occasion of their achieving the proud position of ‘Sandwich’ Boat.” It would seem therefore that this was a discretion which probably resided with the Committee of the Club.
I believe the creation of trophy oars dates from around this time.
Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the entitlement to win blades at BNC was clear. The historical requirement for College crews has always been to either:
- go Head of the River;
- win a significant race, such as Henley, or the Tideway Head or Tideway Head of the River Fours, the O.U.B.C. Fours or Pairs; or,
- make four bumps in either Torpids or Eights (although these did not have to be on each of four days).
The second qualification is quite interesting, as in the 1920s and 30s the O.U.B.C. Fours was considered sufficiently important that the winners would be entitled to election to Leander Club.
The winning of blades by making four bumps also needs to be taken in context. Until 1953 Eights were rowed over six days, as Torpids was until 1955. That meant a crew only needed to get four bumps over six days to win blades up until this time.
There is also some evidence that the entitlement was a little more elastic than just this. In fact, there is at least one case where a crew won blades with only three bumps, which was the 1892 2nd Torpid. I cover this in the BNCBC history.
This is from the history manuscript:
The Minute Book for 1892 is also interesting in that it provides the first record of a crew being awarded blades for something other than going head, or winning at Henley. Having started at seventeenth on the river, the 2nd Torpid rowed over for the first three days before bumping Pembroke, Hertford and Trinity on successive nights to finish in fourteenth position, and therefore last boat in the first division.
The exact rules regarding this honour are not well elucidated by the records, the Minute Book merely stating that “The 2nd Torpid were presented with their oars on the occasion of their achieving the proud position of ‘Sandwich’ Boat.” It would seem therefore that this was a discretion which probably resided with the Committee of the Club.