Doggett's Coat and Badge

The finish of Doggett's Coat and Badge. Painting by Thomas Rowlandson (1756–1827).
Announcement of the annual race for Doggett's Coat and Badge.

Doggett's Coat and Badge is the prize and name for the oldest rowing race in the world.[1] Up to six apprentice watermen of the River Thames in England compete for this prestigious honour, which has been held every year since 1715. The 4 miles 5 furlongs (7,400 m) race is held on the Thames between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier, Chelsea, passing under a total of eleven bridges en route. Originally, it was raced every 1 August against the outgoing (falling or ebb) tide, in the boats used by watermen to ferry passengers across the Thames. Today it is raced at a date and time in late July that coincides with the incoming (rising or flood) tide, in contemporary single sculling boats.

The winner's prize is a traditional watermen's red coat with a silver badge added, displaying the horse of the House of Hanover and the word "Liberty", in honour of the accession of George I to the throne.[2] In addition, each competitor to complete the course receives a miniature of a Doggett's Badge for their lapel in a ceremony at Watermen's Hall, in silver for the winner and in bronze for the others. Monetary prizes are also made by the Fishmongers' Company to the rowing clubs of those taking part, with £250 to the winner's club, £150 for second, £100 for third and £50 for fourth.

In addition to the prizes received, winning Doggett's Coat and Badge in the 18th and 19th centuries would help attract more trade to the talented waterman. While this is no longer the case, winning the Doggett's Coat and Badge is still seen as very prestigious to this day.

History

Three winners of the race. Pictured, left to right, are: J. J. Turferry (winner in 1900), W. H. Campbell (1850), A. H. Brewer (1901)
Twenty winners pictured in 1908
"Liddy, the Winner of Doggett's Coat and Badge" Illustrated London News, 6 August 1842

Thomas Doggett was an Irish actor and comedian who became joint manager of Drury Lane Theatre. He relied heavily upon the watermen of the Thames, who were then the equivalent of the modern taxi driver, to convey him between the various plying stairs near his workplaces in the City of London and his residence in Chelsea. There is a legend that in 1715, Doggett was rescued by a waterman after falling overboard whilst crossing the Thames near Embankment, although this has always been dismissed, along with other myths, by the Fishmongers' Company, the story continues that in gratitude for his rescue, he offered a rowing wager to the fastest of six young watermen in their first year of freedom, over the course between "The Swan" pub at London Bridge and "The Swan" pub at Chelsea. Rowing wagers were common in those days, but this one was unique: Doggett set the wager to be a traditional red watermens' coat, but, being a "great Whig in Politics", Doggett arranged the race for 1 August each year, and had the coat furnished with a silver badge "representing Liberty", to commemorate 1 August 1714 accession of George I of the House of Hanover to the throne. The current badge prominently features both the word "Liberty" and an image of the horse of the House of Hanover.

The race was organised and financed by Doggett each year from 1715 until his death in 1721. In his will, Doggett left specific instructions for the continuation of the race, which is now undertaken by the Fishmongers' Company, a livery company of the City of London. However, over the ages, several particulars have changed, for example:

A more complete history is available through the references below.

Timeline

Badge won by J T Sanson of Kew, in 1890

Related information

The race has also given its name to two pubs: "Doggetts Coat & Badge" on the southern end of Blackfriars Bridge and "The Coat and Badge", Lacy Road, Putney. There is a pub in Margate named "The Doggett Coat and Badge".

See also

References

  1. "Doggett'S". Watermenshall.org. 2015-08-01. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  2. "Doggett's coat and badge, 1920. - People and places". Port Cities. 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2015-11-30.

Race history

Current race information (date and time)

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