Appendix 5. Reaching even further towards our good beginning #

Patrick Overy dug this out from the depths of “Ernie’s shop.” The Lent crew of 1873.

Tim Ambrose’s graphs show a rise of three places that year, after a precipitous fall and before another descent, so they had something to be proud of. Must have been a strange time – low numbers, but enormous science and math influence. Cookson was Master.

The relaxed poses; the wildly differing body languages; only one narrow tie amongst wide variety and one cravat; only one single-breasted jacket; different hats; the weird rudder on the ground in front of the cox; one guy with shiny hair and shiny shoes. No club uniform back them. All different characters, that’s for sure, but they got together and moved a boat with blue and white blades. The flag and mitre (all three flags were still around in ‘56) Absolutely fascinating. Most looking away from the camera – probably one of those big boxes with a cloth over it and a huge magnesium flare.

That’s five or six generations ago. Wonder who they were and what descendants they now have. Kelvin was at the height of his powers and Darwin’s thoughts were debated.