3-047-098 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Monument to James Renforth, the late champion sculler, 1872. Memorial in Gateshead to a 29-year-old rower. '...the British champion oarsman, James Renforth,...died of congestion of the lungs, caused by excessive and violent exertion, while rowing in the international four-oared race between the St. John crew...and the English crew...on the Kennebeccasis River, New Brunswick...The race was looked upon as a certainty for the English crew both in this country and America. The competing boats had gone about 200 yards along the course, and the English crew were half a length ahead, when Renforth seemed to falter and pull out of stroke. He soon began to sway from side to side of the boat, and his irregular rowing allowed the New Brunswick men to pass ahead. But he persevered, with fatal resolution and fortitude, till his boat had covered another mile, when the oar dropped from his hand. With a few words to his friend Kelly, he fell backward and became insensible. The boat made for shore, when the unfortunate man was landed, and was carried a mile and a half to Claremont House, the head-quarters of his crew. He was there attended by two medical gentlemen, but death took place within two hours'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.