The Royal Shallop "Jubilant"
The Jubilant is probably our most recognisable boat, and certainly our most famous, being used for many Thames-based ceremonial occasions and rows, and she has even appeared in a film with Russell Crowe!
The Jubilant was commissioned by The Thames Traditional Rowing Association to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, and was designed to give people with disabilities the chance to enjoy time on the river. Her Majesty took an active interest in the design of the boat, which is based on the Naval Victualling Commissioners' Barge owned by the National Maritime Museum. As with most of our boats, she was built here in Richmond by Mark Edwards and his team at Richmond Bridge Boathouses.
In 2009 she underwent a slight make-over for the Russell Crowe Robin Hood film, in which she was crewed by some of our instructors. Sadly we ended up on the cutting room floor, although great fun was had by all. There are one or two photos of us "on set" in the gallery. The Jubilant is also a regular in The Great River Race, where again she is crewed by some of our instructors; all sponsorship monies raised are donated to the 14th Richmond.
Winter 2011 / 2012 saw her out of the water for refurbishment for the Queen's Diamond Jubliee Pageant and Olympic torch procession. We were up at the front as befits a royal boat! Photos of both events can be found in the gallery. Winter 2013 has again seen her out of the water for some more important maintenance.
The "Jubilant" can be rowed by up to nine rowers, plus a cox, and there is plenty of room for passengers.
Shallop The Lady Mayoress
The Lady Mayoress was built at the request of the Worshipful Company of Watermen and Lightermen, and is a 42' shallop, but without the permanent cabin at the rear that the Jubilant carries.
The Lady Mayoress is another of our Richmond-built boats, and is also a regular in The Great River Race.
She can be rowed by up to six rowers, plus a cox.
Thames Waterman's Cutter
The Thames waterman's cutter is a modern interpretation of the traditional waterman's cutter. Designed and built in Richmond for use in The Great River Race they are boats that are easy to row, taking up to six rowers plus a cox.
"Robin Hood" Invasion Boat
The two "Robin Hood" boats were built in Richmond for the 2009 Robin Hood film. Unlike the Jubilant and the Lady Mayoress, they did actually make it into the final film.
Despite their size they are quite light and easy to row, taking up to 10 rowers plus a cox.
The Skerry
The skerry is a cross between two traditional Thames boats; the skiff and the wherry. Designed and built by Mark Edwards here in Richmond in 2010, and having successfully taken part in that year's Great River Race, she can be rowed by up to eight rowers, plus a cox. The St. Helena is owned by Bamber Gascoigne, and we owe him many thanks for allowing us to take her out.
The Whaler "Viking"
Although we know the Viking as a whaler, her history is much more interesting than that. She was the first boat purchased by the 14th Richmond, way back in 1932, and cost us the princely sum of 10 shillings! After much investigation we found that our whaler is in fact a lifeboat, and once belonged to a Harland and Wolff-built passenger liner called Worcestershire that was launched back in 1904. In 1917 the Worcestershire was sunk off Sri Lanka when she strayed into a minefield. (Photos of the wreck can be found here.)We have yet to find out how the lifeboat came to the Thames, and are still researching her "missing" years between 1917 and 1932.
The Viking used to take part in The Great River Race every year, rowed by the 14th Richmond Old Rovers crew. With an average age of well over 70 they retired after the 2013 race. You can download an article about the boat and crew that appeared in the 2014 Great River Race programme here.
The Viking took part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant in June 2012 along with the Jubilant, the picture below being taken from inside the Jubilant's cabin as we rowed down to the start. As always she was rowed by the Old Rovers.
The Brynhild
The Brynhild is the latest addition to our fleet and was rescued from obscurity at Thames Young Mariners where she was out of the water slowing rotting away. Mark Edwards and his team restored her to health in the winter of 2013, so she's now back in the water and ready for rowing. She can be rowed by either a four or an eight and needs a cox.
The Robin Arundel
The Robin Arundel isn't available for rowing, but is used for towing our boats up and down the river and moving people about when we need an engine rather than oars. Robin Arundel was recovered from Thames Young Mariners and restored to working order in 2013.
