Robert Coombes

Robert Coombes (1808–1860), celebrated professional oarsman and Champion Sculler was born at Vauxhall, Surrey, in 1908.

A waterman from an early age, Coombes spent his life on the river Thames. Although small even for his time (he was about convert|5|ft|7|in|m|sing=on tall and his rowing weight was generally less than 9 stone), Coombes consistently beat men who were his superiors in strength and size through his superior skill and attentive training.

His first public race was for the Duke of Northumberland’s purse of sovereigns on 4th July 1836.

His principle sculling matches were against Kipping, John Kelley, Jack Phelps, Campbell, Tom Cole, Tom Mackinning and Henry Clasper, and his most important pair oared raced was rowed with his brother, Tom Coombes, as a partner against the two Claspers.

In sculling Coombes beat the majority of the best professional scullers on the circuit. On October 3rd 1888 he beat John Kelley from Westminster to Putney but as Kelley had had a small accident during the race they agreed to meet again the following day, when Kelley was beaten easily. This was the first professional match without fouling of which there is any record.

Coombes rowed as well as sculled and as an oarsman his achievements were also numerous, both in fours and pairs.

He became the Champion of the Thames on 19th August 1846 after beating Charles Campbell easily. He held the championship longer and rowed the championship course faster than any other man of his time; but on 24 May 1852 when aged 43 he was beaten by half length of clear water by Tom Cole, of Chelsea, who at 25 was almost half Coombes’ age. The patrons of Coombes were unhappy with the race and arranged another trial on the 14th October. It came off with the same result and Coombes was finally compelled to yield his title to the youthful strength of his challenger.

In speed and style during his time, he was never surpassed and rowed many more races than any man except Harry Clasper.As a coach, he was employed by the Cambridge University crew from 1849 and in 1852 his hints on Rowing and Training were published with the book “Aquatic Notes or Sketches of the Rise and Progress of Racing at Cambridge” by a member of the CUBC.

Coombes was married with four children. His sons Thomas and David were also oarsmen but failed to reach his the level of success attained by his father, although David won the Doggett's Coat and Badge race in 1864.

After an honorable career in his later days he fell into poverty. His mind failed and he was removed nine months before his death to the Kent lunatic asylum at Maidstone where he died on 25th Feb 1860 and was buried at the expense of his friends at Brompton Cemetery on March 7th when the leading watermen followed his remains to the grave.

His grave takes the form of a chest tomb about seven foot high, guarded by a carved figure of a waterman at each corner. Coombes’s boat lies on top, upturned on shore, with his traditional waterman’s coat lying across it as if abandoned.

The inscription reads:

:This monument was erected by public subscription:by the warm friends and admirers of:ROBERT COOMBES:Champion Sculler of the Thames and Tyne

References

* Annual Register, 1853, edited by Edmund Burke
* Dictionary of National Biography, edited by Leslie Stephen. Volume 12 p. 109
* Illustrated London News, 29 May 1852, p. 436
* The Field, 3 March 1860, p. 176
* Bells life, 23 Aug 1846 p. 8
* Bells life 4 March 1860
* London Cemeteries: An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer, 1994
* Baily's magazine of sports and pastimes - p. 112
* The Gentleman's Magazine, January - June 1860 p. 525