Watchmaker William Williams of Radcliffe, built a reputation for creating early ‘stop watches’ these were normal pocket watches capable of being stopped, but also measuring to a small time division, in this case 1/16th of a second. Usually used for whippet racing, they were useful in other sports, including rowing.
This watch made in 1889/90, was his best example yet, but is exceptionally rare being marked as 99 Blackburn Street, Radcliffe, and not the usual Bury or Liverpool.
The watch was owned by Robert Frederick Hinson, of the Cambridge Town Amateur Rowing Club, the Amateur Eights. Early records show the existence of the ‘Cambridge Boat Racing Club’ in 1844, the largest contingent of which went on to become the ‘Cambridge Town Rowing Club’ in 1863. The Town club was formed by John Harvey in the working men’s club that used to be located on Market Hill;
The Rowing Club was disbanded for World War One, and then reformed, this then formed the core of what became City of Cambridge Rowing Club in 1932. The club’s colours are Dark Blue, Claret and Old Gold.
Born in Cambridge on 4th March in 1885, Robert Frederick married his a wife in St Barnabas Church in Cambridge.
The watch was believed to be purchased from TA Mathers of 32 Mill Road Cambridge, and retains the original winding key from the store.
The Rowing Races:
The Bumps racing commenced at Cambridge University in 1827 and are held annually on the River Cam in Cambridge, the first year starting with the “Lent Bumps”. Both Oxford and Cambridge Universities host two sets of university bumps races per year, one in early spring and one in early summer, each lasting four days. At Cambridge these are called “Lent Bumps” and “May Bumps.”
A bumps race is a form of rowing race in which a number of boats chase each other in single file, each crew attempting to catch and ‘bump’ the boat in front without being caught by the boat behind.
The boat in front could claim to be “Head of the River” if they avoided being bumped. The winning team of the Cambridge Bumps, were given the name Head of the River, or the “Headship”. (not to be confused with the Oxford’s Heads of River Race)
Robert Frederick Hinson, went on to serve as a Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers in WW1, ands post war went on to become the General Secretary of the British Dental Association.