James Messenger
| James Messenger | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 February 1821 Twickenham |
| Nationality | British |
| Title | World Champion sculler, Professional |
| Term | 1854-1857 |
| Predecessor | Tom Cole |
| Successor | Harry Kelley |
James Arthur Messenger (26 February 1826 in Twickenham – 21 June 1901 in Teddington) was the professional single sculls world champion from 1854 to 1857. He served as the Queen's Bargemaster from 1862 to 1901. He resided in Teddington. At the time, he became the Champion of the Thames which was effectively the English Sculling Championship. After the English title gained the world status in 1876, earlier winners were retrospectively given the world champion title.
At the Thames Regatta in July 1847 Messenger won the apprentice’s coat and silver badge presented by Evan Morris. In the final he defeated Tom Cole, JG Cole, and S Williams.
At the 1848 regatta, he and three others were beaten in a four-oar race by the Claspers (see Harry Clasper) for the Champion Prize. However, at the 1849 event he was successful in winning the final of the Scullers Prize and £50. The regatta was discontinued but at its replacement, the Thames Boat Races of 1850, he came third in the single sculls race which was a closely contested affair.
On 23 August 1853 Messenger rowed against James Candish, who was the Tyne Champion, on the Thames river Putney to Mortlake course (the Championship Course) for a £100 a side. Messenger defeated Candish with great ease by about a boat length and he covered the distance in 24 minutes 26 seconds after having been stopped twice on the course. A return match was arranged and this was raced on the Tyne on 14 March 1854. Messenger had an easy victory crossing the line more than half a minute ahead.
The backers of Messenger were pleased with his performance and a challenge was made to Tom Cole for the Championship of the Thames. The agreed stake was £200 a side and the race was run on the 20 November 1854 on the usual Championship Course. The day was foggy and cold. Cole took the early lead and retained it to Crab Tree at which point Messenger began to gradually overhaul him. By Hammersmith Bridge, Messenger had obtained a good lead which he maintained with ease to the finish. The time was 24 minutes 45 seconds. His details at this time were given as height 5 ft 7.5 in (1.71 m), and weight 10 st 8 lb (67 kg).
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