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 that is on display in Somerset House, London. 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 in anticipation of the Queen's Diamond Jubliee Pageant. Look out for us; we'll be somewhere near the front!
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" Boats
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. 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 takes part in The Great River Race every year, rowed by the 14th Richmond Old Rovers crew, whose average age is now over 70! If you take her out, you won't need to row the 21 miles of The Great River Race or be over 70, but you will need five rowers and a cox.
Like the Jubilant, the Viking spent the winter out of the water for a wash and brush up, and will be taking part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant in June this year. As always she'll be rowed by the Old Rovers.
The Tug "River Scout"
The River Scout isn't available for rowing, but is used for towing our boats up and down the river. River Scout was named in June 2010 at the launch ceremony of our new cutters, and replaces the much missed Seax.
The River Scout is now fitted with benches so we can ferry people up and down the river in relative comfort. She's not yet the ideal party boat, but the new engine cover does provide a nice flat surface for drinks whilst you watch our other boats being rowed!