"A skiff match took place on the river Tyne, for £100 a-side, between Robert Coombes, the champion of the Thames, and Henry Clasper, the champion of the Tyne, the distance being from Newcastle Bridge to Lemington Point. Clasper ran foul of a keel near the Skinner Burn, but though he lost much ground, Coombes only won at last by six boat lengths. The boats were built for the occasion, Coombes’ weighing 43 lb., and Clasper’s (which was built by himself) 49 lb....."

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

"The great race between Henry Clasper, of Derwent haugh, near Newcastle, and Pocock, of London, came off on Tuesday, on the River Tyne; the distance being five miles, from the Tyne-bridge to Lemmington-point, and the race for £100 aside... Clasper won easily by more than a quarter of a mile. A great deal of money has changed hands on the event. The crowd assembled in various craft upon the river and on its banks was immense. The distance was rowed by Clasper in about 42 minutes..."

Illustrated London News, 29 November 1845

"A skiff match for £200, between two crack rowers Clasper and Maddison, took place on the river Tyne, from Newcastle Bridge to Scotswood. After an exciting race — a foul having occurred on the previous day— Maddison won by nearly 100 yards."

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

 "A skiff race for £100 came off this afternoon, between the celebrated Harry Clasper and Matthew Taylor, the distance being from the High Level to Scotswood Bridge. Clasper went in an easy winner by 150 yards."

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

"A race with four-oar skiffs took place on the Tyne this afternoon, between the four brothers Taylor and four of the Clasper family. The race was for £50 aside, and the four- oared championship of the Tyne. It excited immense interest among the sporting classes, and drew together a vast concourse of spectators, who crowded almost every available space on both banks of the river, from Tyne Bridge to Scots wood, the distance rowed in the race. A very fair start was effected, the Taylors being slightly ahead, but, although they contested the ground manfully, the Claspers gradually gained, took the lead a little above the Skinners’burn, kept it, and won an excellent race by about two boat lengths."

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

"The great match between Harry Clasper, of Newcastle, and Campbell, the champion of Scotland, come off on the Clyde, for £100 a-side and the championship. Clasper pulled in a boat built by himself, said to be the finest model he had ever produced. He was then in his 48th year, while his opponent had the advantage of fifteen years on his side. A great deal of betting took place on the event, the odds being slightly in favour of Campbell. The race was a very hollow affair, Clasper taking the lead from the start and winning by 150 yards."

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Tyneside oarsman, James Renforth, beat Henry Kelly of Putney to become World Sculling Champion in 1868.

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