The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-01 00:00:00

Doggett's Coat and Badge—This Day.

The competitors for the livery and badge given
byDoggett, the comedian, rowed to-day, and, popu-
lar as the wager has ever been, we never saw so
great an assemblage congregated to witness it as
on this occasion. The course was from the Swan
at London Bridge to the Swan at Chelsea, a course
infinitely greater than that usually appointed
for modern wagers. Originally the coat and badge
was rowed for in working wherries, and against
tide ; but, although various modifications have been
made, the race still is looked upon as one of the
most arduous of all those annually rowed for on the
river Thames. In days gone by the Ist of August
was always looked upon by theatrical managers as
au event worthy of being celebrated in a becom-
ing manner, and often has the late celebrated
vocalist, John Brahain, appeared as Tom Tug in
the musical farce of " The Waterman," wearing the
actual livery won in the early part of the day by
the fortunate waterman's apprentice, who, of course,
was duly presented to the audience. Now, however,
times have changed, and that which was looked upon
as one of the features of the theatrical season has
passed away, never, we suppose, to return.
The competitors for the ancient wager were as
follows :

G. S. Baker, Mill-stairs Bermondsey.
.C. Lloyd, ilorselydow:
J. W. Wood, Mill-stairs, Bermondsey
W. J. Dudley, Lambeth.
J. W. Broekwell, Lower Custom-house.
A. T. Ramage, Blackwan.
To the coat and badge, as originally given, have
been added five-eighths of the interest of the South
Sea stock, bequeathed by Sir William Jolliffe,
amounting to £4 17s. 9d., for the second
man, and the remaining three-eighths, £2 18s. 9d.,
to the third ; and the Fishmongers' Company, who
have charge of the contest, have added a guinea and
a half for the fourth and fifth, and a guinea to
the sixth, so each man receives something for the
labour of rowing such a distance. The competitors,
who are watermen whose term of apprenticeship has
expired since the preceding wager, are selected by
chance from the young men desirous to row, and
the whole of the arrangments are under the direction
of Mr. Dards, barge master of the Fishmongers'
Company.

The start was a good one, and fortune decided
in favour of

J. W. Wood, Mill-stairs, Bermondsey .
G. S. Baker, Mill-stairs, Bermondsey
C. Lloyd, Horselydown
W. J. Dudley, Lambeth

J. W. Brockwell, Lower Custom-house
A. T. Ramage, Blackwall
The race was well contested throughout, but
Wood, the winner, took a very prominent position
long before arriving at the Old Swan. On passing
under Chelsea Bridge Baker made a desperate
effort to overhaul Wood, who headed him by about
six boats' length ; but in this attempt he was un-
successful, as Wood seemed quite able to carry on
the contest for another mile had it been necessary.
It was, however, a very plucky attempt on the part
of Baker, who, although defeated for the prize of the
day, was loudly cheered as he rowed in for second
honours. A couple of steamers conveyed a large num-
ber of spectators up the river to witness the race, one
of which, the Venus, was dangerously overcrowded.
It is to be regretted that some regulation is not put
in force to prevent such a proceeding, but it is to
be presumed before any such step is adopted, an
accident, which is certain to be attended with a
great sacrifice of life, is required.