Joseph Sadler

Joseph Henry Sadler
Born	Joseph Henry Sadler c. 1839 Putney
Died	c. 1889
Nationality	British
Other names	Joe Sadler
Title	World champion sculler
Term	1871–1876
Predecessor	James Renforth
Successor	Edward Trickett

Joseph Henry Sadler (born c. 1839) was a British professional rower who twice won the World Sculling Championship. 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.

Sadler, who lived in London and worked as a chimney-sweep, rowed his first great match in 1865, at the Thames Regatta Sculls. His opponent was T. Hoare, who was reputed the second greatest contemporary oarsman after English sculling champion Harry Kelley, of whom Sadler was a pupil. Sadler won easily, and the following year on November 22, 1866, contested the English Sculling Championship against Robert Chambers. Kelley, Sadler's mentor, had retired that year, leaving the championship title an open race between Sadler and Chambers. Halfway through the race Sadler seemed to have the measure of his opponent, but Chambers took the lead and did not relinquish it.

In 1867 Kelley returned from retirement, and, on May 6, sculled Chambers for the Championship on the River Tyne. Kelley won easily. The same year Sadler beat Kelley at the Paris International Regatta, but was disqualified for a foul. This created animosity between the two, which was to have a profound effect.

The next race between Kelley and Sadler took place on November 28, 1867, an English Championship decider at £300 a side. Kelley came home first but a foul had occurred, and the referee was unable to decide which party was in the wrong. He accordingly ordered the two to row again the next day. The articles of the match provided for a start by 'mutual consent', and somehow Sadler did not consent at any moment when Kelley was ready. Strong opinions were expressed by several persons who watched the affair from the steamers, and eventually the referee ordered Kelley to row over the course. The stakes were awarded to Kelley by the referee, but Sadler brought an action against the stakeholder, M. J. Smith, then proprietor of The Sportsman newspaper.

The case became a cause célèbre. The Court decided that the referee had acted ultra vires in awarding the stakes to Kelley, inasmuch as he had not first taken the trouble to observe for himself Sadler's manoeuvres at the starting post. He had formed his opinion from hearsay and separate statements. The case was decided in favour of Sadler, although history does not record that he also gained the title.

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