Efforts to found a ‘boating club’ began in the autumn of 1867. By the spring of 1877 “the brilliant but all to brief history of boating at the University had its beginning.” (Jefferson, Cabell, and the University of Virginia) The Rives Boat Club was founded at the University of Virginia. Francis R. Rives, Master of Arts 1841 donated $1,000 to found the club. On April 17, 1877 the Rives Boat Club was formally founded with 30 members and for the next seven years “boating became the most prominent athletic sport” at the University.
The Club practiced on the Rivanna River, across town from where the team practices today. A boathouse was erected at Farrish’s Cliff, with the course laying between the Free Bridge and the dam at Woolen Mills. “The brilliant success of the University crew” lasted for seven years, during which time “boating” became “the most important and prominent athletic sport in the life of the University.” (Corks and Curls)
The Rives Boat Club became the first intercollegiate team at the University later that spring when it competed in its first race against the Tobacco City Club in Lynchburg, VA. “The energy and enthusiasm of these men [in the first crew] not only founded rowing here [at the University], but made possible its subsequent marked successes” (Corks and Curls).
Until just recently, it was long believed that the Rives Boat Club was dissolved in 1883 after a bit of misfortune including “an unusual flood of high water” that swept away the boathouse and equipment. During the club’s seven years’ it won every race except its first, which was lost due to equipment malfunction. The University Magazine claims that without the support of some of the founders the Club was unable to overcome the misfortune and continue to race. Research continues to determine the real end date of the program.
L’Engle, Steele, Macfarland, Thom, Redwood
First Race: The Rives Boat Club’s first race was held on June 30, 1877 in Lynchburg, Va. on the James River. The University Crew raced against the Tobacco City Boat Club of Lynchburg, VA, both in four-manned shells. The distance of the course was two miles.
“The Rives boat was built of cedar, while the Tobacco City Club used a paper gig, an advantage which was added to by a foot more length and six inches less width.”
“They were admirably trained and victory was confidently expected, but in turning the stake the strain on seat No. 2 caused the rails to spread dislodge the seat, leaving the rower to slide as best he might on the sharp steel runners. The bow oarsman, unable to slide forward to the stroke, because of the stationary condition of No.2, was also interfered with, and thus handicapped the Rives crossed the line one minute and two seconds behind their competitors.” The slides broke at the mile marker, so for the second half of the race the University boat raced by stern pair only. “This result was a great disappointment to all the adherents of the Rives Club, for the personnel of the crew was excellent and the stroke was admirable, as well as of a finished style.” (Coach John Redwood, Corks and Curls)
This was the only race lost by the University during the Rives Boat Club’s existence.
The Crew:
Bow: William J. L’Engle of Jacksonville, FL
No. 2: Charles Steele, of Baltimore, MD; went on to be a partner in the house of J.P. Morgan & Co., N.Y.
No. 3: John M. Macfarland of Winchester, VA
Stroke: De Courcy W. Thom, captain, of Baltimore, MD
Steering: Willoughby W. Walke, coxswain, of Norfolk, VA; went on to be Col. Walke, U.S.A.
Original Founders
Archibald G. Stuart of Staunton, Virginia (President)
James C. Lamb of Richmond, Virginia (Secretary)
De Courcy W. Thom of Baltimore, Maryland (Captain)
John M. Macfarland of Winchester, Virginia
William J. L’Engle of Florida (Treasurer)
Other Notable Contributors
George D. Fawsett (Vice-President)
John Redwood of Baltimore, Maryland (Coach and Trainer)
Charles Lee Andrews of Baltimore, Maryland (Captain)
Newsletters, Programs, & Press
Jefferson, Cabell, and the University of Virginia | Abbreviated Version with including pages about the Rives Boat Club | Full Version via UVA Library
The Virginia University Magazine Volume XVI| Abbreviated Version with Pages Involving Rowing | Full Version via UVA and Hathi Trust | October 1877
*The Archives are a work in progress; if you have any corrections to the above information or anything to add/share, please contact Sarah Healy at Sarah@VirginiaRowing.org.