Early History
Robert Chambers was born at St Anthony’s, a riverside area, east of Newcastle. His father worked as an iron moulder at the Losh, Wilson and Bell ironworks in nearby Walker and young Bob also began work there as an iron puddler, a job that involves stirring molten pig iron with a ladle to release the impurities. Although the work was hot and dirty, it developed his arm and chest muscles.
Chambers first appeared in a rowing contest at the age of 21, when he was beaten in a sculling race by a competitor named Hicks. However his performances improved until he was drawn against the veteran oarsman Harry Clasper in the second heat of the Tyne sculling championship, in 1855. Clasper, who at that time was 43, won the race, but he recognised that Chambers had great potential. He therefore invited him to join his Derwenthaugh crew. The new crew consisted of Harry Clasper (at stroke), his brother Robert, his eldest son John Hawks and Robert Chambers. The crew took part in the Durham Regatta of 1856 and won the main prize, the Patron’s Plate. Chambers took part in the sculling competition and lost in the final to teammate John Hawkes Clasper.
Read more about this topic: Robert Chambers (oarsman)
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