Harry Kelley (rower)
| Harry Kelley | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Harry Kelley 1832 Fulham, London, England |
| Died | 1914 Fulham, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Title | World champion sculler |
| Term | 1857-1859; 1865-1866; 1868 |
| Predecessor | James Messenger, Robert Chambers (oarsman) (twice) |
| Successor | Robert Chambers (oarsman) (twice), James Renforth |
| Parent(s) | John Kelley |
Harry Kelley (1832–1914) was a famous professional oarsman on the Thames. He became the Tyne, Thames, English and World Sculling Champion, a title he won four times.
The son of Jack Kelley, another Thames waterman, Kelley's first Championship win was in 1857, when he beat James Messenger for the Championship of England. Kelley's technical abilities in a boat soon got him noticed and he was regularly referred to as the best waterman the Thames ever produced, either as an oarsman or as a judge of rowing.
Before 1876, the English Sculling Championship was considered to be the premier event in professional sculling. In 1876, the English Title gained the World status and earlier winners were retrospectively given the title of World Champion. Kelley first won the World Championship by beating the holder, James Messenger, on 12 May 1857. He lost it to Robert Chambers (oarsman) on the 20 Sept 1859. Chambers had several defences of the Title before Kelley challenged again. The race was on the 8 August 1865 and Kelley won. James Hamill was the American Champion and he challenged Kelley to two races, only one of which was a Championship race. They were held in England in July 1866. Kelley won both of them and he shortly after announced his retirement. Chambers later retook the Title in an open race.
Kelley came out of retirement in 1867 and again challenged Chambers to a match. This race was on the 6 May 1868 with the result that Kelley was again World Champion. He finally lost the Title to James Renforth in a race on the 17 November 1868.
For details of the six World Title races that Kelley was involved in see World Sculling Championship.
Kelley was one of the celebrated English crew which visited America in 1871 with the then champion James Renforth. During a race against a St John's crew on Aug 23 1871, Renforth collapsed and eventually died in Kelley's arms.
A memorial sculpture, erected by public subscription showing the dying figure of Renforth in the arms of Kelley now stands outside Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead.
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